l Above, from left, LA (AH) Mark Challen, LA (AH) Alex Grant, CPOA (AH) Bob Callow, Lt Col Kelly, LA (AH) Andy Lloyd and LA (AH) Richard Cemm aboard the USS George HW Bush l Below, Lt Col Kelly with ‘Royal’ emblazoned on his pilot’s helmet
l The first members of the UKCSG, from left, Lt Cdr Mark Gilbert, Lt Col Phil Kelly, Capt Ken Houlberg, Cdre Jerry Kyd, Cdr Simon Staley and Lt James Bayliss outside Victory Building in HMNB Portsmouth Picture: LA(Phot) Guy Pool “All of it has given them a good sound grounding in large air-wing aircraft carrier deck operations, which is something we will need for the Queen Elizabeth-class. “It has most definitely been challenging and rewarding for us. For myself it’s been new skills – learning to catch the arresting wires on landing and the great fun of catapult shots. “I think we’ve all really enjoyed the way we’ve been welcomed by the US Navy and the hospitality we’ve received and definitely we’re going to be partners for quite some time.” undreds of RN personnel are being trained aboard US warships and the French Carrier Strike Group as part of the long lead skills programme. Royal Navy personnel have been serving with the assault ship USS Kearsarge and numerous US aircraft carriers, including the USS Dwight D Eisenhower and George HW Bush. Lt Col Kelly is one of only two Royal Marines jet pilots and revealed he was earmarked as a pilot at his selection board.
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“I always wanted to be a commando and a pilot so got the difficult one out of the way first. The discipline instilled as a commando allowed me to handle flying training and be effective in combat. “I am happy to now be in a role that utilises my life’s work. “My role allows me to help anyone who has ambition and aspirations as I know what it is like to do some of these roles. The challenges are not insignificant but they are well worth the effort. “Our position as a carrier strike team is to let people know we are here and formed up and to articulate how we will work. “I also look after the equity of the Royal Marines in CSG and how we operate. I hope I am a great example of what you can do in the Services. A Royal Marine can do anything – if you are aiming high join the Royal Marines.” The new UKCSG, under the command of Cdre Jerry Kyd, who will captain Queen Elizabeth, is currently based in HMNB Portsmouth but will move to the carrier in Rosyth next
year. COMUKCSG has stood up and is forming rapidly as experienced officers with the right competencies join the team. With a target for this new Battle Staff to achieve operational certification at the same time as the White Ensign is hoisted in Queen Elizabeth in 2017, the challenge is tough and the generation timelines racy. A comprehensive training plan that uses USN support and experience will build the team through an optimal mix of UK and US live and synthetic training, with the end result being the ability for the new staff to be able to command a combined CSG in a highthreat environment. The task is not small, but with highly qualified experts, such as Lt Col Kelly, confidence that COMUKCSG will succeed is high. COMUKCSG is recruiting now. If you think you possess applicable skills, are amongst the best in your cadre, like hard work and challenge and want to be part of an exciting team and the heart of the future Navy, then see your Career Manager now. n F-35B poster, see centre pages
l Above: Lt Col Kelly prepares to land on 'Avenger' l Below: HMS Queen Elizabeth in Rosyth
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