From 25 to 30 May 2007, after an exercise within the Baltic Sea, Illustrious was the first British aircraft carrier ever to go to Tallinn, Estonia. In 1997, Gloucester took half in Ocean Wave 97. Ocean Wave lasted 8 months, https://mitolyns.net which saw her go to countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UAE as well as taking part within the Five Power Defence Arrangements Exercise Flying Fish. Next, in July 2007, mitolyns.net Illustrious took part in a US-led Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) off the eastern coast of the United States (for which she hosted 14 US Harrier jets and git.zanxiangnet.com 200 US Marines) before returning to Portsmouth the following month. On board was a full size model of the F-35 Joint Combat Aircraft which is able to exchange the Harriers then used by the ship. Illustrious had parts of the Royal Marines on board, ready for potential combat operations in Afghanistan. Illustrious remained in theatre while different parts of the duty power returned to the United Kingdom.
USS Jarrett‘s history listed the missile's altitude at 375 toes while witnesses aboard HMS London estimated between 680 and 1,000 ft. So rapidly was Illustrious deployed that she was commissioned while at sea. In April 1989 Gloucester deployed westbound to perform duties as West Indies Guard Ship. In January 1987 Gloucester sailed for her first deployment