The UK’s carrier strike group is flying fifth-generation fighter jets over Arctic waters while allied commandos train in the frozen fjords of Norway, as NATO strengthens its military posture across the High North under a new mission called Arctic Sentry.
HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s largest warship, has begun launching F-35B Lightning II jets in Arctic operations as the vessel operates under NATO command. The carrier-based fighters have conducted sorties over Finland for the first time, representing a significant expansion of NATO’s air capabilities in the region, according to sources tracking the deployment.
Simultaneously, Royal Marine commandos are conducting extreme cold-weather training in Northern Norway. The elite troops, numbering approximately 1,500 personnel, have deployed to Camp Viking and are conducting discreet reconnaissance missions in the region’s freezing fjords ahead of broader NATO Arctic exercises.
Arctic Sentry, NATO’s overarching multi-domain activity launched in February 2026, consolidates existing exercises and operations to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence posture in the Arctic and High North. The mission is led by NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk and brings together fighter jets, naval vessels, submarines, and ground forces from all 32 NATO members, according to alliance announcements.
The F-35Bs embarked on HMS Prince of Wales are assigned to 809 Naval Air Squadron and RAF 617 Squadron, providing fifth-generation combat capability that can be rapidly projected across the region. Beyond strike missions, these aircraft serve as advanced sensor nodes, supporting maritime domain awareness and integration between ships, aircraft, and NATO command structures. The carrier provides NATO with a mobile airbase capable of sustained operations across the Arctic without relying on vulnerable land installations.
The Royal Marine commandos are part of a broader NATO training effort in the High North. In March 2026, Cold Response 26—Norway’s largest military exercise that year—involved over 25,000 NATO personnel conducting Arctic warfare drills. The Royal Marines have been ramping up Arctic operations, with specialist units carrying out reconnaissance missions in Norwegian fjords to prepare for high-end NATO operations.
The UK Carrier Strike Group’s participation in Arctic Sentry represents a significant commitment to NATO’s northern flank. HMS Prince of Wales has already participated in Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2026, NATO’s premier anti-submarine warfare exercise, and the ship’s embarked F-35Bs integrated with allied air forces during Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026, demonstrating NATO’s ability to project power from the maritime domain into European airspace while operating with multinational assets.
Beyond combat operations, HMS Prince of Wales provides critical medical support capabilities—including Role 2 emergency surgical facilities—that enhance NATO’s ability to sustain operations across the vast Arctic distances where evacuation can be delayed. This medical capacity is operationally significant for maintaining endurance during extended maritime operations far from established infrastructure.
Sources
- Army Recognition — UK Carrier Strike Group operations under NATO command supporting Arctic Sentry, F-35B capabilities, and mission details
- High North News — HMS Prince of Wales launching F-35Bs in Arctic waters and NATO Arctic Sentry operations
- Royal Navy — Royal Marine commando training and operations in Norway
- NATO — Arctic Sentry mission details, launch date, and multi-domain activity scope
- The Defense Watch — Royal Marines Arctic training numbers and Cold Response 2026 exercise details
- USNI News — NATO Arctic Sentry mission overview and Cold Response 2026 exercise
