Representatives from the United Kingdom's Royal Navy embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for an international training opportunity, Sept. 11-13.

"It's all about relationships," said Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 (CSG 8). "We are extraordinarily fortunate to enjoy the relationship and the partnership we have with the United Kingdom - it's on a very grand scale at many levels. Specifically, this visit was to learn from them and offer suggestions on things that they can do as they re-incorporate aircraft carrier capabilities into their forces; the folks that came and visited are integral to those efforts."

The visit served to strengthen global ties while helping prepare the U.K. for the launch of their new Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

"I think the whole excitement back home in the Royal Navy is the fact that we're buying two large-deck aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales," said Commodore Jerry Kyd, commander, United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group. "The first one, of course, is now launched - she's in the water and we'll be taking her on to the high seas at the backend of next year. So we're here on the Truman to learn from the United States Navy, to see how you're doing business today. So, in the future, we can come and work and fight alongside you - wherever that may be around the world."

Batchelder added CSG-8's current involvement in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) allowed the guests a unique insight into the inner workings of a carrier strike group.

"You know, timing is everything," said Batchelder. "We were lucky enough to be in the training environment right now as we prepare to deploy and the opportunity presented itself. They were kind enough to host us at Portsmouth, U.K., about a month or two ago on a visit where we got to see their efforts."

During their visit, the Royal Navy representatives witnessed a variety of Truman's evolutions, from flight deck operations to strike group coordination. Royal Air Force Commodore Harv Smyth, F-35 Lightning Force Commander for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, said seeing the crew tackle different training scenarios helped to draw parallels for the new carriers.

"It's a perfect exposure for us, just to see how you make sure you've got all your ducks in a row before you deploy off into harm's way," said Smyth. "It will have been 10 years of a gap in carrier operations when we put Queen Elizabeth to sea, so there's only a select handful of us who used to do it back in the day that still remain. This learning has been absolutely essential and we're really very grateful for the hosting we've had - it's been exceptional."

Above the training and operations, however, it was the crew that impressed the visitors. Kyd added he would be proud to serve alongside Truman, and is enthusiastic for the future of the Royal Navy.

"Whenever you come aboard an American aircraft carrier like the Truman, you're just blown away," said Kyd. "The scale, the combat power and also the professionalism that comes through from everyone - right from the most junior Sailor all the way up to the Admiral. It's inspiring and sometimes when I look here from the U.K. I think to myself, 'That is what we're aiming for.' With the Queen Elizabeth, that's where we're going to get to."

As Truman moves toward its turn on the front lines, preparing to fight and win at sea, more opportunities for integrated training may arise. Batchelder said these experiences help strengthen our partnership for the future.

"Like I said, it's all about relationships - and the relationships we're building now will last generations," said Batchelder. "I would also offer that we're working efforts to, hopefully, embark some junior officers in the Royal Navy to come aboard while we cross the Atlantic or another occasion, so that 20 years from now people who have been working together for many years are in leadership positions where they can influence outcomes."

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.