Early on Wednesday morning, the American aircraft carrier USS “Gerald R. Ford” sailed into the Oslofjord.
Less than 20 minutes ago
VG’s photographer took the pictures of the ship passing Færder lighthouse – the light station that marks the mouth of the Oslofjord – at around 05.45 on Wednesday morning.
According to the MarineTraffic map, the ship maintains a speed of around 15 knots on its way in towards Oslo.
The visit from the gigantic American ship will undoubtedly affect Norway’s capital in the coming days: The ship houses around 4,500 sailors, and the US ambassador to Norway, Marc Nathanson, joked on Monday that it could get humid and cramped in pubs and restaurants in Oslo when the crew takes city.
– I am a bit worried about that, he told NTB.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the largest warship ever built. The ship was christened in 2013, but after several years of tests and preparation, it has now been put into normal operation.
Flight ban and distance
In addition to this, security has also been tightened in several areas in connection with the visit:
- On Wednesday, a temporary no-fly zone will be introduced over the entire Inner Oslofjord. It applies from ground level and 3,000 feet up. The ban came into effect at midnight on Wednesday night and will last until midnight on Tuesday next week.
- 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 stay 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.
Russia has reacted
The Russian embassy in Norway has called the American visit to Norway a “demonstration of power”, and they say in a statement that it is “illogical and harmful”.
– The US has sent a clear signal that it has great capabilities and is willing to show them off, and make them relevant in our immediate areas, Tor Ivar Strømmen, who researches maritime strategy and sea power theory at the Norwegian Naval Academy, told VG on Tuesday.
He believes that the US, with its presence, poses a real potential threat to Russia.
Published: 24/05/23 at 05:49
