Adiós de los Harrier al HMS Ark Royal/ Last Harriers leave Ark Royal

Los últimos Harrier GR9 embarcados en el HMS Ark Royal, han realizado sus últimas salidas esta mañana (24/11/2010), finalizando 30 años de operaciones y finalizando las operaciones de aeronaves de ala fija en el Reino Unido, hasta la entrada en servicio del F-35.
Los Harrier formaban parte del 1(F) Squadron de la RAF y del 800 Naval Air Squadron de la Royal Navy. Los aviones han aterrizado en RAF Cottesmore.
El HMS Ark Royal volverá a Portsmouth el próximo 3 de diciembre para ser retirado. Las operaciones de Harrier cesarán el día 16 de diciembre.
key.aero
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The last Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Harrier GR9s embarked on HMS Ark Royal made their final departures this morning, bringing to an end 30 years of Fleet Air Arm fixed-wing operations with both the aircraft and the CVS carriers themselves.
Four Harriers, two from 1(F) Squadron RAF and two from 800 Naval Air Squadron departed at 0900 hours, watched by the ship’s company. The weather was cold and dismal, reflecting the sad end for both Joint Force Harrier and the ship itself. The last pilot to leave was Lt Cdr James Blackmore, a navy pilot currently serving as OC A Flight with 1(F) Squadron. All four Harriers returned to RAF Cottesmore in Rutland after practicing some 2v2 air combat training.
HMS Ark Royal will return to Portsmouth on December 3 to be retired from service, its future as uncertain as that of the Harrier fleet itself, which will suspend flying operations on December 16.
key.aero