From 25 to 30 May 2007, after an exercise in the Baltic Sea, Illustrious was the primary British aircraft carrier ever to go to Tallinn, Estonia. In 1997, Gloucester took half in Ocean Wave 97. Ocean Wave lasted eight months, which saw her go to nations together with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UAE in addition to collaborating in the Five Power Defence Arrangements Exercise Flying Fish. Next, in July 2007, Illustrious took part in a US-led Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) off the jap coast of the United States (for Mitolyn Pills which she hosted 14 US Harrier jets and 200 US Marines) earlier than returning to Portsmouth the following month. On board was a full dimension mannequin of the F-35 Joint Combat Aircraft which is able to change the Harriers then utilized by the ship. Illustrious had components of the Royal Marines on board, prepared for attainable fight operations in Afghanistan. Illustrious remained in theatre while other elements of the duty drive returned to the United Kingdom.

USS Jarrett‘s historical past listed the missile's altitude at 375 toes whereas 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 carry out duties as West Indies Guard Ship. In January 1987 Gloucester sailed for her first deployment