World’s largest warship set to begin maritime activities in Norwegian Sea under NATO Command

Europe, News, US June 6, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

World’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford came under NATO command as the U.S. Navy warship is preparing to conduct missions in the Norwegian Sea with other maritime forces from Allied Nations.

The U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group is currently taking part in a series of planned maritime security activities and training with the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in the Norwegian Sea.

USS Ford Carrier Strike Group is comprised of its flagship, the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW 8), Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON 2), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61).

According to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), the transfer of authority to STRIKFORNATO “demonstrates the Alliance’s ability to integrate the high-end capabilities of a first-in-class carrier U.S., its strike group escorts, and embarked air wing during a series of planned maritime security activities and training.”

The statement highlighted that “This transfer of authority constitutes a tangible, transparent display of advanced capabilities in all-domain operations and the defensive commitment of the NATO Alliance across Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) Area of Responsibility.”

*^{U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ford Carrier Strike Group sails off the Norwegian coast. (Image Credit: STRIKFORNATO)}*

“Concerted, collaborative efforts such as Gerald R. Ford’s seamless transition to NATO command reinforce the interchangeability of Allied Forces and the agility of NATO command and control structures,” the NATO statement added.

The USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in Oslo, Norway, for a scheduled port visit on May 24, 2023, making it the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited Norway in 65 years.

Last month, Russia criticized the U.S. aircraft carrier’s deployment in Norway and called it an “illogical and harmful” show of force that would further undermine regional peace. However, Norway’s Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said in a statement that “This is Norway’s security. It is a clear expression of the security guarantees we have through NATO, not least the close cooperation and partnership we have with the United States.”

The Allied warships will be hosted by Norway and the exercise will take place over the following week. Last time, it was U.S. Navy’s USS George H. W. Bush that deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and participated in Neptune Strike 2023 under NATO command.