US aircraft carrier reaches Arctic for first time in 27 years

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its escort warships appeared in Arctic waters off Norway on October 19, marking the first time a US aircraft carrier has operated in the region since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.USNIreport

"We are excited to be training in the frigid Arctic waters. Naval aviation has not been tested in this harsh environment for decades. Our sailors are demonstrating that we can project American power anywhere in the world," said Navy Captain Nick Dienna, commander of the Truman aircraft carrier.

The last time a US aircraft carrier operated in Arctic waters was in September 1991, when the USS America and its escorts participated in exercise North Star 91.

This is also the first time a US aircraft carrier has visited Norway since 1989. Aircraft carrier strike groups are one of Washington's most powerful weapons, and their presence is always seen as a strong military signal.

An unnamed source in the Norwegian Ministry of Defense acknowledged that the presence of the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group was a provocation to Russia, especially since the exercise was taking place so close to the country’s borders. However, the US warships may not operate off Norway’s northernmost coast, which borders Russia’s Murmansk Oblast.

Trident Juncture 18, taking place from October 25 to November 7 in the Nordic countries bordering Russia, including Norway, Finland and Sweden, is NATO's largest exercise since 2002. About 45,000 soldiers, 150 military aircraft, 70 warships, and nearly 10,000 vehicles from 31 NATO member countries and partners will be deployed to the event.

The exercise focuses on defending against a "hypothetical" invasion of a NATO member state. Trident Juncture 18 will test the ability to operate in cold conditions in northern Europe, as well as the anti-submarine capabilities of the participating countries.