US supercarrier enters Arctic Circle for first time in nearly 30 years

For the first time in nearly 30 years, a US supercarrier has entered the Arctic Circle to conduct operations in the Norwegian Sea.

According to the US Navy, the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman traveled north to ;demonstrate the flexibility and toughness of U.S. naval forces; through high-end warfare training with regional allies and partners. USS America (CV-66) was the last ship to operate in the area, participating in NATO exercise North Star in September 1991.

“We are unbelievably excited to be operating in the Norwegian Sea,” said Harry S. Truman Commanding Officer, Capt. Nick Dienna.

“It has been over three decades since carrier aviation has been tested by this environment, and, despite the arduous weather and sea conditions, these men and women are demonstrating this ship can bring a full-spectrum of capabilities to bear anywhere in the world.”

The US Navy say that after honing its skills independently, the carrier strike group will join 30 NATO allies and partner nations to participate in Trident Juncture 2018.

“Trident Juncture represents the best of NATO – a coalition of allies and partners working toward the shared interests of lasting peace and economic prosperity in the European region,” said Carrier Strike Group Eight Commander, Rear Adm. Gene Black in a release.

“This exercise is also a fantastic opportunity to learn from our Allies on their home turf.” 

Trident Juncture will take place in Norway and the surrounding areas of the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, including Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden from October the 25th to November the 23rd. More than 50,000 participants are expected to participate, utilising approximately 150 aircraft, 65 ships and more than 10,000 vehicles in support of the exercise say NATO.