American submarines have gradually become a common sight in Tromsø, but never before has such a large submarine called at a port in Norway. The 110 meter long submarine “USS Florida” has sailed into Grøtsund industrial and offshore harbour. The harbor is approximately 15 kilometers from the center of Tromsø. Prominent guests This is the first time an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine (SSGN) has visited Norway. This is confirmed by Rear Admiral Stephen Mack, who is the head of Maritime Operations, US Naval Forces Europe/Africa. US Navy Rear Admiral Stephen Mack (right) at a press conference aboard ESPS Alvaro de Bazan together with German Navy Rear Admiral Thorsten Marx. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news He says the visit to the north is important training for the submarine crew, and to ensure safety and stability in the area. – We are happy that Norway is welcoming the USS Florida. During the visit, we will be visited on board by prominent guests. The visit to Tromsø is also proof of the relationship between the US and Norway, says the rear admiral. One of the prominent guests will be Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp), who will be given a tour of the submarine on Monday. The Ministry of Defense informs news. – Norway’s defense is based on support from allied countries in crisis and war. In order for this strategy to be credible and work in a crisis situation, it is necessary that our allies train and practice in Norway and our surrounding areas together with Norwegian forces. In this context, I look forward to visiting “USS Florida” and the crew on board, says Gram to news. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp). Photo: Aleksandr Nedbaev / news US office opens in Tromsø The US ambassador to Norway, Marc Nathanson, states that this is a routine submarine visit. – The submarine visits are part of our long cooperation with Norway to ensure stability in the region, he says. Marc Nathanson, US Ambassador to Norway. Photo: Kristina Kalinina / news The ambassador also points out that the “Healy”, the Americans’ largest coast guard ship, will arrive in Tromsø next month. The ship, which is nearly 130 meters long and has an icebreaker hull, is the US’s most technologically advanced icebreaker. The ship is designed to carry out a wide range of research activities, and constantly assists in a number of different missions in the polar regions, such as ship escort and search and rescue. The US Coast Guard ship “Healy”. Photo: AP The American ambassador states that later this year the USA will open the diplomatic office in Tromsø, which Foreign Minister Antony Blinken told about during his visit to Norway in June. The ambassador states that the office in Tromsø will contribute to the close cooperation between Norway and the USA, which is important for the Arctic region. This will be the northernmost permanent US presence in the world. Spokesperson at the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters (FOH), Jonny Karlsen, informs news that this is the fifth American submarine visit to Tromsø so far this year. – This is completely at the same level as in 2022. Annually, five to ten submarines call at the port in Tromsø, he says. USS “Florida” at the port in Tromsø. Photo: Hans L. Andreassen / news It is not at all unusual for foreign naval vessels, nor submarines, to stay in Norwegian waters. During a number of exercises, such as during the naval exercise Flortex 22 last year, naval vessels and air units from several countries were in Norwegian waters. This summer, the world’s largest warship, “USS Gerald R. Ford”, visited Norway. This was at the same time as the “Arctic Challenge Exercise” air exercise was taking place. – The days of the Cold War Naval captain and researcher at the Naval Academy, Tor Ivar Strømmen, is surprised that one of the world’s largest nuclear submarines has docked in Tromsø. – Yes, I did not expect an Ohio class to dock in Norway. We have seen that the Americans use them a little more actively now, such as during their visit to South Korea this summer, says Strømmen to Nordlys. He tells the newspaper that you have to go all the way back to the days of the Cold War to find activity like the one we see now in the north. Naval captain and researcher at the Naval Academy, Tor Ivar Strømmen. Photo: Valentina Baisotti / news The fact that the Americans are sending one of their most powerful weapons systems up to Tromsø will cause a stir, believes Strømmen. The submarine has enough weapons to knock out the entire Russian Northern Fleet, according to him. – The US clearly wants to put pressure on the Russians in several different ways. This sends the same signal as when the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford was here and when the stealth bomber B2 (American bomber, journ.anm.) was recently on Ørlandet. – There is always a constant presence of capacity which poses a real threat, says Strømmen to Nordlys. news has sent an inquiry to the Russian embassy in Oslo, asking if they have a comment on the matter. They have not responded to our inquiry.
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The American submarine “USS Florida” is in Tromsø – news Troms og Finnmark
