In Conversation with Commodore James Blackmore BSc Royal Navy
Friday 6th March at 18:00 | Pall Mall | £10.00
We are delighted to inform Members that, in partnership with the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association, Commodore James Blackmore RN will be joining us on 6th March to discuss the 2025 eight month Carrier Strike Group deployment.
Commodore Blackmore will provide an inside perspective on CSG25, the UK Carrier Strike Group’s world-class formation of warships, submarines, and aircraft on an extended deployment. He will reflect on the Group’s joint exercises with allied forces across land, sea, air, and cyber domains, showcasing its high readiness and its vital role in supporting global security far from home shores.
We look forward to welcoming members to what promises to be a hugely insightful evening, with a chance to meet fellow Rag Members and FAAOA Members over a glass of wine from 18:00, with the talk starting at 18:30. We do hope you are able to take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear from one of the Royal Navy’s most accomplished operational commanders, with the floor open to questions after the talk.
Commodore Blackmore joined the Royal Navy in 1996 after graduating from the University of Bristol, during which time he served as a RNR Midshipman. As a Lieutenant James flew the Sea Harrier FA2 on 800 NAS and 899 NAS. He qualified as an Air Warfare Instructor and undertook multiple deployments to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific.
Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2006, James converted to the Harrier GR9 serving on 1(F) Squadron and IV(AC) as Officer Commanding ‘A’ Flight in charge of weapon training and the delivery of operational combat capability by day and night from ashore and afloat. During this time, he flew 50 day and night combat sorties in support of Op HERRICK 9 & 10 from Kandahar, Afghanistan, and embarked in all three aircraft carriers, HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS INVINCIBLE, and HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. In 2010 James flew the last Harrier from a UK aircraft carrier. In 2012 James served in HMS DARING where he deployed on Op KIPION in the Northern Arabian Gulf integrated with the USS CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group.
Promoted to Commander in 2014, James undertook an exchange tour with the United States Navy flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as the Operations Officer on Carrier Air Wing 2 at NAS LEMOORE. During this time, he deployed twice onboard the USS RONALD REAGAN operating in the Pacific. Returning from the United States, James served at RNAS CULDROSE commanding the Royal Navy Fixed Wing Force. In 2018 he joined HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH as Commander Air, “Wings” delivering Rotary and F-35B Development Test, qualifying 11 aircraft types to the deck during the inaugural WESTLANT deployment.
Promoted to Captain in 2019 James remained embarked in HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH joining the UK Carrier Strike Group as the Carrier Air Wing and Strike Warfare Commander “CAG” for Op FORTIS in the Indo-Pacific. Recently completing an appointment working in the Ministry of Defence as the Assistant Head Future Commitments within the Security, Policy and Operations directorate, James formed Task Force KINDRED procuring and delivering lethal aid in support of Ukraine as part of Op SCORPIUS.
James has undertaken staff appointments at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Defence Equipment Acquisition and Support (DE&S), and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). He is an alumnus of the United States Navy War College for the Advanced Command Staff Course (ACSC 2014), the United Kingdom Higher Command and Staff Course (HCSC 2023), the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commanders Course (CFMCC 2024), and is a Fellow of the United States Flag and General Officers CAPSTONE course (2025).
Commodore Blackmore assumed command of the UK Carrier Strike Group in May 2023 and will deploy to the INDO-PACIFIC in 2025 embarked in HMS PRINCE OF WALES for Op HIGHMAST. James is the Royal Navy’s senior fixed wing maritime strike fighter pilot, he has over 2500 hours across 3 frontline maritime combat aircraft, has served in 8 aircraft carriers, and achieved over 250 deck landings. James is married with two children, has a keen interest in fly fishing and skiing. He is grateful to be a member of both the Martin Baker and Caterpillar Clubs.