Last year, the capital was visited by the over 300 meter long ship USS Gerald R. Ford. Now a new very aircraft carrier is on its way into the fjord. – This ship will be just as visible and about the same size. It is tight to enter through Drøbaksundet, so this will attract attention. This is what Vice-Admiral Rune Andersen, head of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters, writes in a press release. Along with the ship will come several thousand American soldiers. The police therefore believe there will be greater pressure on nightlife while the ship is in port in the capital. A number of restrictions have also been introduced, and heavy fines await those who break them, according to the police. We must get used to more military activity The aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman has just taken part in NATO exercises in the North Sea. The Norwegian Defense Force does not want to say how long the ship will be in Oslo. The aircraft carrier has an American cruiser and Italian frigate as part of its entourage. JENS: NATO’s former secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, was on board the ship in 2018. Here he watches as an F-18 Super Hornet aircraft lands on the American aircraft carrier. LOADED WITH: The aircraft carrier is loaded with several fighter jets that can take off from the deck on the ship. MISSILES: Crew members lift a missile into position on the wing of an F18 Hornet fighter jet. The ship’s crew takes part in several NATO exercises. Vice Admiral Andersen writes in the press release that the way the world is today, Norwegians must get used to more military activity. – Sometimes it becomes very visible, like when an aircraft carrier comes into Oslo, he writes. According to the Norwegian Defense Forces, the visit sends a clear signal to Russia that NATO stands together and is ready to react if our security is threatened. CREW: The aircraft carrier has a strength of between 4,500 and 5,200 people. Photo: AP Photo/Giuseppe Distefano Two Norwegian pilots on board Two Norwegian pilots will help the Americans get the ship safely through the Drøbaksundet. They will be on board the ship, according to the Defense Forum. The same thing happened when the previous aircraft carrier visited Oslo. – In such assignments, good cooperation is absolutely essential and then both the pilots and the maritime traffic center have key functions, with local knowledge of the sailing conditions and modern aids. Acting communications manager at the Coastal Administration, Olav Helge Matvik, writes to the magazine. EXERCISES: The ship has just taken part in NATO exercises in the North Sea. Photo: AP PHOTO/DARKO BANDIC When the ship is in place, it will have its own restricted area in the Inner Oslofjord. If you break the rules, you usually get a fine of NOK 25,000. Among other things, boat drivers must stay 500 meters away from the aircraft carrier when sailing in and out. This is not allowed when the ship is visiting: In connection with the Norwegian visit, a restricted area is set up in the Inner Oslofjord. Here, among other things, all types of drones with photo and video equipment are prohibited. It is also prohibited to use such equipment from outside and into the prohibited areas, the National Security Authority states. The following other restrictions will apply: Boat operators must stay 500 meters away from the aircraft carrier when sailing in and out. Where it is not possible to keep a distance of 500 metres, the public must not stand between the aircraft carrier and the escorting vessels and boats. At anchor, the distance to the aircraft carrier is 1,000 metres. Restricted areas in the air are up to 3000 feet altitude. The prohibited area at Søndre Akershuskaia is clearly marked. The armed forces must enforce the prohibited areas. Military guards will expel unauthorized persons. Violations are reported to the police. The reaction to violations will normally be a fine of NOK 25,000 or imprisonment for 25 days if the fine cannot be collected, the police state in a press release. Nuclear-powered ship The more than 300-metre-long ship that is now sailing into the Oslofjord is nuclear-powered. Therefore, the Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (DSA) has initiated safety measures. – DSA has made a thorough assessment of the application from the Norwegian Armed Forces. We consider it safe to implement this, says director Per Strand. Among other things, they will monitor radioactivity around the aircraft carrier. If something should go wrong, DSA will immediately notify the relevant authorities and the population. Last year, the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford visited Oslo. Published 01.11.2024, at 07.38
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