American Aircraft Carrier to Train with Norwegian Forces
In October and November, Norwegian forces will train and exercise together with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in Norwegian waters and nearby areas.
The USS Harry S. Truman is one of the world’s largest aircraft carriers and belongs to the 6th Fleet of the U.S. Navy. The carrier is currently in Norwegian waters along with several of its support vessels.
The vessels are part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. The presence of the carrier group provides the Norwegian Armed Forces with a unique opportunity to further develop cooperation and work more closely with our most important ally, the USA. Exercises are planned with several of the Armed Forces’ units.
Important for Norway and the Nordic Region
“The ability of Norway and the Armed Forces to receive allies is crucial for the defence of Norway and the Nordic region. By being present in the vicinity of Norway and the other countries in our region, the USA clearly shows that they will stand with their allies, and that stability in the northern areas is also important to them,” says Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ).
Norway and the USA have a long-standing and close defence cooperation. It is in Norway’s interest that allies exercise and operate with us in our areas. Cooperation with the USA and NATO contributes to stability in Norwegian nearby areas. Norway and the USA have many common interests and priorities, and we cooperate in several areas such as information exchange, exercises and training, pre-positioning, and not least control of the northern sea areas.
“The defence of Norway is based on NATO’s collective security and the relationship with close allies, in addition to national defence capability. The close defence cooperation with the USA has been important for Norway for more than 75 years. The presence is an important signal for the close bilateral relationship and increases the credibility of collective defence and deterrence,” says the FOH Chief.
Increased Deterrence
Allies regularly train, exercise, and operate in Norway to be ready to operate in all seasons, during major crises or war. This contributes to increased collective security and deterrence against potential future attacks on Norway and the Nordic region. The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is also participating in the training with Norway and the USA.
The training and exercises with the carrier groups are conducted with capabilities in several domains: sea, air, and land.
“Through our ability to cooperate and integrate capabilities between domains and NATO nations, we have a significant military advantage over Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance, but the alliance is always ready to respond if we are challenged,” Andersen states.
For security reasons, the Armed Forces do not wish to provide further details about allied operations and exercises in our nearby areas.