US Navy brings massive fire power to Tromsø
For the first time a guided missile submarine of the Ohio-class makes port call to Northern Norway. It was Thursday morning the massive nuclear-powered submarine surfaced in the fjord and slowly sailed to port at Grøtsund north of Tromsø.
The “USS Florida” is one of the most powerful warships in the world, capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.
“We are grateful to Norway for allowing “USS Florida” to conduct a port visit to Tromsø. Stops like these ensure that the submarine and her crew are able to continue their mission of promoting security and stability in the region,” said Rear Adm. Stephen Mack, director of Maritime Operations, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa.
This is not the first US Navy submarine visit to Tromsø, but never before has the large Ohio-class been welcomed by the Norwegians.
The “USS Florida” is one of four Ohio-class submarines that are converted from carrying ballistic missiles as part of the US naval deterrent to now being armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
It is unclear for how long the submarine has patrolled outside Northern Norway, waters of strategic importance also for the Russian Northern Fleet sailing out of the Kola Peninsula.
U.S. Sixth Fleet says in a statement on September 14 that the submarine prior to Tromsø made a scheduled visit to Naples, Italy in August.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, the U.S. Navy’s nuclear Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile (TLAM/N) was retired in 2013, ending a long-lasting post-Cold War process of eliminating all non-strategic naval nuclear weapons from the Navy’s arsenal.
The cruise missiles now onboard the rebuilt Ohio SSGNs are armed with conventional warheads, not nuclear.
Mack brewery
In Tromsø, Norwegian officials will be allowed on board.
“We are excited to welcome distinguished visitors aboard while in Tromsø, as a visible demonstration of the strength of the U.S.-Norway partnership, and we look forward to continuing to operate with our long-standing NATO Ally as we work together towards our shared goals,” said Rear Admiral Mack.
By coincidence, the Rear Admiral has the same name as the local beer brewery in Tromsø: Mack.
The Navy statement says nothing about how long “USS Florida” will stay in Tromsø but says that the crew “will have the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Tromsø, and build relationships with the local population.
Tromsø is famous in Norway for its nightlife, pubs and restaurants.
Related stories from around the North:
Iceland: Iceland authorizes U.S. submarine service visits, Eye on the Arctic
NATO: NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise underway in North Atlantic, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Svalbard nixes submarine, helicopter activities offered by luxury Arctic cruises, The Independant Barents Observer
Russia: New submarine for Northern Fleet will be named “Mariupol”, The Independant Barents Observer
United States: U.S. set to open sole diplomatic post above Arctic Circle—Location? Tromso, Norway, Eye on the Arctic
