English: An RAF GR7A Harrier conducted the first successful sortie carrying an Enhanced Paveway 2 Laser Guided Bomb to its target during Exercise Magic Carpet. With the Enhanced Paveway 2 laser guiding the bomb, the Joint forces of the RN and RAF can now deliver a sizeable punch to targets deep into enemy territory, to within 6 feet of its target.

The sortie left HMS Invincible, flew over Oman and delivered this heavy weight weapon to its target on the Omani bombing range before returning to the carrier, which was situated some 40 miles off the coast. The aircraft of IV (AC) Squadron were operating from HMS Invincible in the Gulf of Oman as part of Operation Marstrike 05. The Squadron deployed on board the Fleet Flagship along with 801 NAS for a month long period of Ground Attack training in Oman.

Exercise Magic Carpet 05 (MC 05) was an Omani hosted and RAF Strike Command sponsored exercise. The exercise was an opportunity for RN, RAF, Omani, French Air Force, USAF and USN squadrons to deploy and practice heavy-weapon bomb drops, utilising the extensive ranges and relatively clear airspace available over Oman. There were a variety of aircraft which took part, including our own Sea Harriers, GR7s and SKASaC, USN F18 and S3 Viking, USAF F16, French Mirage 2000 and RAF Tornado F3, Jaguar, VC10 air to air refuelling and E3D AWACS. In total around 60 aircraft were in theatre, allowing for realistic exercising of a coalition forces. The participation of HMS Invincible with her Tailored Air Group (TAG) gave an excellent opportunity to prove the Strike Carrier concept within a controlled exercise environment and gain some useful general warfare training. It was be a good opportunity for the ship's company to progress training in an exercise environment.

• Organization: Royal Navy
• Object Name: VL05_0420_066
• Keywords: HMS Invincible, Exercise Magic Carpet, Marstrike 05, Harrier, GR7, Oman, Aircraft carrier, Enhanced Paveway 2, Laser Guided Bomb, Flight deck, Aircraft handler
• Country: Oman