The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the largest warship in the world, arrived in Oslo on 12 September during its deployment with the U.S. 6th Fleet in Europe, the U.S. Navy stated.
The port visit follows combined operations in the North and Norwegian Seas involving Gerald R. Ford’s strike group and naval forces from Norway, Germany, and France.
According to the Navy, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Mahan and USS Bainbridge trained alongside the Royal Norwegian Navy’s frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and oiler HNoMS Maud, Germany’s air defence frigate FGS Hamburg, and France’s frigate FS Aquitaine and replenishment tanker FS Somme.
Eric Myer, U.S. Charge d’Affairs ad interim, said in the release:
“When the USS Gerald R. Ford entered Oslo Fjord in 2023, it was the first U.S. aircraft carrier to do so in 65 years. Since then, we welcomed the USS Harry S. Truman and are now glad to see the sailors of the Gerald R. Ford back again. These visits are not merely symbolic. The presence of this carrier strike group in Norwegian waters training with Allied forces exemplifies our commitment to shared security.”
Capt. Dave Skarosi, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer, highlighted the significance of the visit: “This ship, the largest of its kind on Earth, navigated thousands of miles, including narrow straits and challenging seas, to be here today as a statement of America’s commitment to our Allies. Our ship visited Oslo during its maiden deployment in 2023, and we are privileged to return. The city of Oslo holds a special place in Gerald R. Ford’s history and future.”
While in port, the crew will take part in cultural events and volunteer activities in Oslo. The visit comes as Gerald R. Ford continues its scheduled deployment with Carrier Strike Group Twelve, which has already conducted Neptune Strike 25-2 and Operation Overture with Allied navies in the Atlantic and European waters.
NATO described the deployment as part of maintaining warfighting effectiveness, interoperability, and readiness to defend Allied and partner interests in Europe.
Has she been demoted from “The Worlds most powerful Warship” now then ?
So many previous comments all now seem rather redundant.
You can’t knock a B2 River off It’s mantle for very long !
Wait a minute, two US escorts together with two NATO escorts and a supply ships protect a US aircraft carrier in hostile waters on exercise.
How come no one is decrying the fall of the American empire and saying the US navy is not a proper navy.
I hope there is at least 70 planes onboard the Ford because anything less than her full complement must surely be a failure 😀