Stealth fighters joining battle against ‘violent extremism’ of Islamic State

UK stealth fighter jets on board the £3 billion warship HMS Queen Elizabeth will join the fight against the remnants of so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said the F35B Lightning fast jets will join Operation Shader from the Carrier Strike Group (CSG21) to “pack a potent punch” against IS, also known as Daesh.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said he was in no doubt “violent extremism and the toxic ideology underpinning it is still rooted” in the region, adding: “I’m absolutely clear in my mind that what we are doing every day... is making the streets of the UK safer.”

The renowned Dambusters squadron, or 617 Squadron, is set to operate the jets to support the counter-is operations in Iraq and Syria.

Eight RAF and 10 US

Marine Corps F35B stealth fighter jets will be operating from on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, which will head for Asia accompanied by six Royal Navy ships, a submarine, 14 naval helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.

Sir Mike added: “We’re going to conduct operations in support of the government of Iraq,

fighting the remnants of Daesh in Iraq and Syria – and continuing to take the fight to them in their sanctuary where otherwise they would be threatening the streets of the UK and our allies.

“It’s something air power has been doing very effectively now since 2014 and the Royal Air Force has played a considerable part in that success.”

A stealth fighter on board HMS Queen Elizabeth.