American carrier group sails with Norway in the North Sea

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), has been pictured sailing in formation with the Royal Norwegian Navy during its current European deployment.

According to official U.S. Navy imagery dated 23 August, the Gerald R. Ford led a formation in the North Sea alongside the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and replenishment oiler HNoMS Maud.

The strike group was joined by U.S. destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Winston S. Churchill, USS Mahan, and fast-combat support ship USNS Supply.

The deployment is part of the U.S. 6th Fleet’s ongoing mission in European waters. The Navy said the purpose is to “support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region.”

Earlier in the week, Gerald R. Ford launched flight operations off the UK coast. On 15 August, Lieutenant Tom Sandford of the carrier’s Air Department signalled the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 87.

The carrier strike group’s passage through the Strait of Dover on 17 August marked the first time a U.S. carrier group had transited the Channel since USS Harry S. Truman in October 2024.

Captain Dave Skarosi, the carrier’s commanding officer, described the transit as a demonstration of reach. “Gerald R. Ford’s agile transit through the Strait of Dover between England and France is a testament to our power projection capability that supports peace through strength. Our skilled navigation team ensures that the world’s largest aircraft carrier brings our capability as a forward-positioned force anytime, anyplace, to defend the Euro-Atlantic region from hostile action.”

The U.S. Navy also stressed the wider alliance message. “The inherent flexibility and scalable maritime force that GRFCSG provides to the NATO Alliance is unrivaled, and their continued operations in the U.S. European Command area of operation reinforces the U.S. Navy’s ironclad commitment to the stability and security of the European theater,” a statement said.

Captain Mark Lawrence, commodore of Destroyer Squadron Two, added: “A free and open maritime domain benefits all nations. Our collective surface force’s transit into the North Sea demonstrates our resolve to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the European continent.”