The operational history of the Royal Navy's fifth HMS Ark Royal is chronicled from its introduction in 1985 to its decommissioning in 2011. This volume details the illustrious career of the aircraft carrier, which served as the Royal Navy's flagship. It covers active deployments to the Adriatic during the Bosnian War and the Persian Gulf during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The book includes contributions from each of the carrier's 12 captains, offering a comprehensive account of its service life.

This comprehensive illustrated volume is presented as a detailed account of the HMS Ark Royal's service life. The inclusion of contributions from each of its 12 captains suggests a multi-faceted perspective on the ship's operational history. The book aims to provide a thorough record from its introduction in 1985 through to its decommissioning in 2011, covering significant deployments and its role as the Royal Navy's flagship.