U.S. Aircraft Carrier Truman Arrives in Norwegian Waters for Joint Nordic Exercise

For the second time in as many years a U.S. aircraft carrier has entered Norwegian waters for a joint exercise. After USS Gerald R. Ford’svery public sailing into Oslo last summer, less information has been revealed about the latest visit of the USS Harry S. Truman.

The U.S., Norway and their allies are gearing up for a joint exercise in the Norwegian waters of the North Sea and possibly further North during the months of October and November.

The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman arrived in Norwegian waters on October 18 together with escort vessels of the carrier strike group belonging to the 6th fleet.

U.S. and Norwegian forces will be joined by a U.K. Royal Navy task force surrounding the Carrier Strike Group of aircraft carrier HMS Prince Wales. Norway’s largest navy vessel, supply ship HNoMS Maud, will take part in the exercise departing from Scotland over the weekend.

Into the Norwegian Sea

Last year the latest-generation aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, visited the Oslo fjord before traveling above the Arctic Circle into the Norwegian Sea, highlighting the longstanding and deepening defense cooperation between the two countries.

The U.S. flotilla passed through the Strait of Dover in the English Channel earlier this week. 

“We will operate with our NATO Allies and partners to strengthen our collective readiness, defense, and deterrence. No nation can confront today’s challenges alone, and we look forward to showcasing our interoperability”, said said Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of the The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), according to a press release from the strike group.

Low key

Satellite images and vessel tracking information show the U.S. vessels passing through the narrows and subsequently sailing north into the Norwegian part of the North Sea.

Neither the U.S. Navy nor the Norwegian Armed Forces headquarters have spoken to details about the joint exercise or if the operations area will extend outside the North Sea and into the Arctic.

“For security reasons, the Norwegian Armed Forces do not wish to provide further details about allied operations and exercises in our immediate areas,” the Norwegian Armed Forces said.

However, Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, head of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters (FOH), stated that the Nordic region was a focal point of the exercise.

“The ability of Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces to welcome allies is crucial for the defense of Norway and the Nordic region. By being present in the areas close to Norway and the other countries in our region, the US clearly shows that it wants to stand with its allies, and that stability in the northern areas is also important to them,” he said.

Countering increased Russian presence

Norway, the U.S. and NATO allies have seen an increase in patrols, especially in the Polar region over recent years.

Earlier this month, Russia and China dispatched a joint patrol into the Arctic through the Bering Strait for the first time. The four vessel flotilla passed within a dozen miles of Alaska’s coastline.

Through our ability to cooperate and integrate capabilities between domains and NATO nations, we have a major military advantage over Russia. NATO is a defensive defense alliance, at the same time the alliance is always ready to react if we are challenged, Andersen stated.