From 25 to 30 May 2007, after an exercise within the Baltic Sea, Illustrious was the first British aircraft carrier ever to visit Tallinn, Estonia. In 1997, Gloucester took part in Ocean Wave 97. Ocean Wave lasted eight months, which saw her visit countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UAE as well as participating in the Five Power Defence Arrangements Exercise Flying Fish. Next, MovesMethod mobility toolkit in July 2007, Illustrious took half in a US-led Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) off the japanese coast of the United States (for which she hosted 14 US Harrier jets and 200 US Marines) before returning to Portsmouth the following month. On board was a full size mannequin of the F-35 Joint Combat Aircraft which can substitute the Harriers then used by the ship. Illustrious had elements of the Royal Marines on board, MovesMethod product page ready for potential combat operations in Afghanistan. Illustrious remained in theatre while other parts of the task pressure returned to the United Kingdom.

USS Jarrett‘s history listed the missile's altitude at 375 toes while witnesses aboard HMS London estimated between 680 and official movesmethod site 1,000 feet. So quickly 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