Crown Princess Victoria shooting and training with military personnel - Swedish Press Agency

On 20 AUG 2024,HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden,47,heir apparent to the Swedish throne,began more military training at Karlsberg Military Academy Stockholm.She had completed basic training in 2003.She is undertaking more training to enhance her understanding of conflicts and wars,regionally and globally,as the future Head of State.She has the rank of cadet and the initial focus is Naval warfare.It is called Special Officer Training (SOFU) and is part of Victoria's continiuous efforts to expand her knowledge and better represent Sweden and the Swedish Armed Forces in her future role as First of the Swedish Armed Forces.She will reduce her royal duties at this time and participate in classes,exams and tests like other students at the Defence Academy.She is currently training with the Royal Stockholm Amphibious Regiment (Marines) in Berga,Sweden with Sailors.*If crowned,she would be the first regnant queen of the House of Bernadotte,the Swedish Royal Family since 1818.That would make her the first regnant Queen of Sweden since the 1770s.

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Deployed to Europe for NEPTUNE STRIKE 24-2

On 23 SEPT 2024 the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) left its homeport of Naval Base Norfolk,Virginia on a deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean and ultimately the North Sea and Scandinavia.The Truman was accompanied by Carrier Air Wing 1;Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS Stout (DDG 55);Yorktown-class guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64);and typically an unannounced nuclear-powered attack submarine for force protetction.This blog met some of the USS Gettysberg Sailors and noted how young they were,just out of high school.*The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is a member of U.S. 2nd Fleet (Atlantic Fleet).It is under the command of RDM Sean Bailey.Said ADM Daryl Caudle,commander,U.S. Fleet Forces Command:This comes on the heels of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group's nine month mission that highlighted the need for continuity in our sustained presence amid escalating international tensions.The operational experience gained through these deployments is invaluable for maintaining a deep bench of skilled warfighters with trust in their system's reliability,adaptability and lethality in a rapidly changing security environment.*NATO Joint Forces Command Brunssum (Netherlands):One of NATO's premier enhanced Vigilance Activities NEPTUNE STRIKE (NEST) 24-2 began on 24 OCT 2024,encompassing multiple joint operational areas across Europe.Running from 24 OCT 2024 TO 31 OCT,NEST 24-2 demonstrated the complex integration of joint high-end multinational maritime strike capabilities.*NATO took operational command of multiple aircraft carriers and expeditionary strike groups in support of deterrence and defence of the Alliance.The main objectives of NEST 24-2 are to maintain freedom of navigation and manoeuvre in NATO's Area of Operations;to secure strategic maritime chokepoints (such as the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap,or GIUK);to conduct deterrence and vigilance;and to increase the interoperability in operational domains,e.g.,air-land-integration,fostering NATO's capabilities to enable wide-ranging multi-domain operations.*Participating units operated from the Meditarraenean and Adriatic Sea up to the North and Baltic Sea,including air operations across Central Europe to conduct air-to-ground operations in the Baltic Sea Region,also with NATO's new member Sweden.Among others,the activities also included amphibious landings;counter mine operations;explosive ordnance disposal;and defence against drones.*NEST 24-2 was led by Naval Strike and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO).It was a long-planned activity conducted in compliance with international laws and standards,and was scheduled independently from any current developments.*In the North Sea,NEST 24-2 activities featured the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group,as well as the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and her escorts.In the Mediterraenean,NEST 24-2 staff elements from STRIKFORNATO were embarked on the Blue-ridge class command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 22) to demonstrate the ability to deploy a self-sufficient mobile command element anywhere at any time.The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (CV 7),along with the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) carried an Amphibious Ready Group and the embarked 24th Marine Expedtionary Unit (MEU).The Turkish Navy supported with the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadola and her embarked Marine Battalion,as well as her escorts.The Italian Navy provided the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and her escorts for parts of the activity.In total,some 20 surface vessels and submarines,Special Operations Forces and numerous aircraft participated in NEST 24-2 in different compositions,with some 15,000 support personnel.*The Neptune Strike series is part of Project Neptune,conceptualised in 2020.It aims to enhance the pace and flexibility of command and control of naval strike and amphibious forces.It provides a blueprint for contingency and defence operations even over long distances,JFC Brunssum Public Affairs Office said.The most recent USNI tracking information on the HSTCSG was on 12 NOV 2024,when it was operating off the West Coast of Norway.

NATO Maritime Forces:Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Transits the Strait of Dover to the North Sea

14 OCT 2024 The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group transited through the Strait of Dover,UK,for the North Sea this day,according to the U.S. Navy.The HSTCSG will conduct operations in the North Sea with Allies and Partners from several countries in the region,demonstrating the warfighting interoperability and strategic relationships built over the past 80 years.The HSTCSG is homeported at Naval Base Norfolk,Virginia and a unit of U.S. 2nd Fleet (Atlantic Fleet).Said RADM Sean Bailey,commander of the HSTCSG:Storied in world history,our transit through the Strait of Dover to operate with our Allies and Partners underscores our commitment to maritime security and the NATO Alliance.We will operate with our NATO Allies and Partners to strengthen our collective readiness,defence and deterrence.No nation can confront today's challenges alone,and we look forward to showcasing our interoperability.The Strait of Dover,historically known as the Dover Narrows,is the narrowest point of the English Channel and separates Great Britain from mainland Europe.The channel also separates the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea,a strategically important area where the HSTCSG will conduct various bilateral operations with Allies and Partners.The HSTCSG last operated in the North Sea during a deployment in 2018,including time spent operating above the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea for NATO Exercise Trident Juncture.*Said CAPT Dave Snowden,commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman and former executive officer during the 2018 deployment:With its unique geographical and environmental characteristics,every time operating in this region we increase our proficiency and showcases our inherent flexibility to operate anywhere in the world.THE HSTCSG will support U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa's maritime operations and theatre security cooperation missions alongside Allies and Partners to maintain safety,security and stability.*Before entering the North Sea,the HSTCSG operated off the Azores and Northern Africa for a series of warfighting training scenarios between the strike group's ships and Air Wing before heading North for the English Channel.Said LT Adam Boithman,a reactor department officer aboard Harry S. Truman:I love the felxibility of our strike group,and it's great to know we'll be operating and learning from our Allies in the North Sea.*The HSTCSG consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75);Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with embarked aviation squadrons;staff from CSG-8,CVW 1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28;the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64);two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers,USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 104);and,customarily,an unannounced nuclear-powered attack submarine for force protection.This blog got to meet some of the USS Gettysburg crew and was struck by how young they are,right out of high school.*HSTCSG's mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and remain the cornerstone of the Navy's forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities,the Navy said.

Steadfast Defender 24:HMS Prince of Wales and Carrier Strike Group Deployed to Frigid North Atlantic

Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) has assumed command of the UK Carrier Strike Group headed by HMS Prince of Wales (R09) as it participates in NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024,the largest warfighting drills since the Cold War.Said STRIKFORNATO:This transfer of authority to STRIKFORNATO demonstrates the Alliance's ability to integrate the high-end capabilities of a British Carrier,its strike group escorts,and embarked air wing during a series of meticulously planned maritime security activities perfectly allied with the Deterrence and Defence family of Allied collective plans.For the first time ever,the 65,000 tonne ship hosts the UK Carrier Strike Group battle staff as she takes center stage in Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024.The aircraft carrier,crewed by up to 1600 personnel,is leading a multinational group of warships towards Northern Europe.International by design,the group is comprised by its flagship and namesake,the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales;HMS Somerset;Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tidesurge;RFA Tidespring;USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117),an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Flight IIa,bristling with guns,missiles,cruise missiles and torpedoes);HMCS Charlottetown;HDMS Niels Juel;HDMS Hvidbjornen;and ESPE Cristobal Colon.Through harsh weather and freezing conditions,HMS POW has officially commenced her paricipation in Steadfast Defender 2024.For this,she has embarked more jets than ever before (the embarked F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters are out of RAF Marham,England,being members of 617 Squadron "Dambusters"),presenting an unparalleled display of air and firepower capability.This deployment optimises the capacity STRIKFORNATO holds to seemlessly integrate the most powerful maritime forces on the planet into NATO operations.*STRIKFORNATO's command of the UK Carrier Strike Group during an exercise spanning air,land,and maritime activity from the United States to the Eastern European Flank speaks to the organisation's steadfast committment to regional security and readiness to defend tonight if needed.Routinely transferring authority of deployed Carrier Strike Groups to NATO enhances interoperability and improves defensive Allied capbilities.This practise nurtures the vital skills of each crew and ship-based commander,facilitating smooth operations within the NATO structure.Every serial strengthens the transatlantic bond and the collective power of nations working in lock step with one another in mutual supprt.*STRIKFORNATO,headquartered in Oeirus,Portugal,is Supreme Allied Commander Europe's premier,rapidly deployable and flexible maritime power projection Headquarters,capable of planning and executing full spectrum joint Allied operations.*According to Royal Navy Captain Colin McGannity,Carrier Air Wing and Strike Warfare Commander:It is always an exciting moment when F-35B Lightning join the Carrier Strike Group at sea.These fifth-generation aircraft are the main strike element within the group.Once again,we will be integrating them and the rest of the Carrier Air Wing (helicopters) with our NATO Allies and Partners.There's plenty of work ahead but I have every confidence that our talented and dedicated team will succeed.It's winter in the North Atlantic and we will face harsh weather and freezing conditions,but we are well prepared and look forward to demonstrating our readiness to fight,whenever and wherever we get the call.*The scenario of Steadfast Defender 2024 simulates a Russian attack on NATO.

Northern Coasts 23:Defending the Baltics from Enemy Attack

About 30 warships and 3200 military personnel from 14 nations are carrying out an annual exercise intended to enhance defence of the Baltic Sea Region.It will concentrate on high-end warfare and collective deterrence and defence by NATO Allies,NATO said.The drills began on 9 September and last two weeks.Said Dylan White,acting NATO spokesperson:Seven-soon to be eight-NATO Allies border the Baltic Sea,so the area is of critical importance to our Alliance.Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has radically altered the security situation in the Baltic Sea,and NATO has substantially increased its defensive presence in the region at sea,onland and in the air.Exercises like these send a clear message that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.*The two weeks of drills are currently underway,including amphibious operations;air defence;strikes from sea to land;and securing sea lanes.Participating are Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1,as well as military personnel from Allies Belgium,Canada,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Latvia,Lithuania,the Netherlands,Norway,Poland,Partner Sweden and the US.Germany is leading the manoeuvres.The drills are also featuring participation of land and air forces from the 14 nations.The scenario of the exercise simulates a Russian attack on the Baltics,according to ERR News (Estonian Public Broadcasting).*Vice-Admiral Jan Chrisitian Raack,commander of the German Navy,told Reuters that warships will practise sea lane defence primarily off the coasts of Estonia and Latvia.Germany is also commanding the operation from its new Maritime Command Headquarters at the city of Rostock on the Baltic Sea.Said VADM Raack:Finland and the Baltic States depend to almost 100% on the maritime supply routes through the Baltic Sea.*For its part,the US Navy is contributing the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19),an amphibious transport dock of the San Antonio-class.*Rostock is on the Bay of Mecklenburg,an arm of the Baltic Sea.The city is in the German state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.The new HQ will reportedly serve as NATO's go-to HQ for Baltic Sea Region defence.* Please excuse any delays as this blog experienced an outage while writing this post.

Naval Warfighting:New Carrier Being Put to the Test

Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder,US Air Force,said the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) were participating in Exercise Silent Wolverine in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.The drills are in support of multi-domain carrier training,enhancing NATO interoperability and deterrence.Those participating are Canada,Denmark,Germany,France,the Netherlands,Spain and the US.The exercise demonstrates the US commitment to regional stability and security through seamless interchangeability among NATO Allies.It started on 7 November and runs through 14 November.It is the Ford's first deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Area of Operations.The Ford departed Naval Station Norfolk,Virginia on 4 October 2022.* The NATO warships participating,besides those of CSG 12,include German frigate FGS Hessen (F221);Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336);Spanish Armada frigate Alvaro de Bazan (F101);Netherlands frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (F 802);French frigate FS Chevalier Paul (D 621);and Danish frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362).* According to Admiral Stuart B. Munsch,commander,U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (USNFEA) and Allied Joint Force Command Naples: The challenges of tomorrow are upon us-in the here and now.Silent Wolverine demonstrates our commitment to deepening interoperability with our Allies and Partners while testing the advanced,cutting edge warfighting capabilities of the Ford-class aircraft carrier in a highly relevant operational environment.* The Navy points out that the Ford-class incorporates 23 new technologies in propulsion,power generation,ordnance handling,and aircraft launch systems.The Ford-class generates increased aircraft launch and recovery capability with a 20% smaller crew than the Nimitz-class carriers.CSG 12's participation in Silent Wolverine previews the decisive,precise and lethal advantage the Ford brings to the future naval operations.The integrated high-end naval warfare scenarios,which were not disclosed, are testing the first-in-class aircraft carrier's capabilities,increasing our proficiencies and demonstrating the warfighting capabilities the Ford brings to the fight,according to Rear Admiral Greg Huffner,commander,CSG 12.* CSG 12 consists of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78);Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60);and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116);and typically an undisclosed nuclear-powered attack submarine.* The "Eastern Atlantic" refers to such areas as that between Greenland and Iceland;the Norwegian Sea;the Barents Sea and down towards the UK and Ireland;and from the Denmark coast west to Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea.*

Vigilance:Navy Ships and Marines Placed Under NATO Command for Force Integration

Several US Navy warships have been placed under NATO command (STRIKFORNATO) as part of major warfighting drills in the Baltic,Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas,NATO announced.These include the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG 8) and the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).It is only the second instance of a transfer of a CSG to NATO since the end of the Cold War,NATO pointed out.This transfer of command is designated Vigilance Activity Neptune Shield 22 (NESH 22).It integrates high-end maritime expeditionary strike capabilities of Air,Sea and Land assets.NESH 22 will occur in the Baltic,Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas from 17-31 May.Participating in the Vigilance Activity are the following NATO Allies:Albania,Bulgaria,Croatia,Denmark,France,Germany,Greece,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,the Netherlands,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Slovenia,Spain,Turkey,the UK and the US.* The purpose of this Vigilance Activity is to overcome the complexities of integrating Command and Control of a Carrier Strike Group;an Amphibious Ready Group;and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) into NATO.We will thus conduct the handover of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and Combined Task Force 61/2,which consists of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit,from U.S. 6th Fleet to STRIKFORNATO and the wider Alliance.It establishes the unity that NATO strives for throughout the Alliance,according to Supreme Allied Commander Europe US Air Force General Tod D. Wolters,who noted that: Vigilance Activities like NESH 22 strengthen our ability to seamlessly integrate maritime strike capabilities to support deterrence and defence.We continue to do everything necessary to shield the Alliance.* Such Vigilance Activities ensure the appropriate strategic awareness and force readinesss required to sustain peace.Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO),headquartered in Oeiras,Portugal,is SACEUR'S premier,rapidly deployable and flexible maritime power projection HQ.It plans and executes full spectrum joint maritime warfighting activities.*

North Sea:Interlocking Drills Test Norwegian Navy and its NATO Allies - Updated 1 March 2018

For the past few weeks,Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 has been participating in the Royal Norwegian Navy Exercise TG 18-1.Some 14 ships and submarines arrived in Bergen,Norway to initiate TG 18-1 in support of training and qualifying the RNN's new submarine commanders.The drills also aim to sharpen warfighting skills under rugged Nordic wintry conditions.
At the same time,TG 18-1 is being integrated with NATO exercise Dynamic Guard,which emphasises air defence and electronic warfare.The electronic warfare component of the challenge links TG 18-1 to Dynamic Guardian and treats the interception,jamming and emission of radar signals for defensive and deceptive applications.Maritime air defence involves naval helicopters and fixed wing patrol aircraft searching for and destroying enemy submarines.The maritime drills are being staged in the North Sea as well as fjords near Bergen.The 14 vessels include SNMG1'S current flagship,Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Niels Juel,and Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS St.John's and the French FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence.Besides Norway,Denmark and Canada,other participating Allies include:France,Germany,Poland,the Netherlands and Spain,plus NATO partner Australia.A total of 5,000 Sailors and 14 frigates have been taking part in the sophisticated tests,such as trying to block a submarine from entering a fjord from the North Sea. *
As well as the warships,helicopters and other aircraft are joining the exercises.The complex multinational drills extend into Dynamic Guard,where interoperability is increased at both the unit-to-unit and the task force level.The conditons have been rough,with seas generating waves of 5-6 meters at times.Nonetheless,the tasks are executed to sustain high interoperability and readiness among the Allies-STRONGER TOGETHER.*
The commander of SNMG1 is Commodore Soren Thinggard Larsen,Royal Danish Navy.He ensures that,as a member of the NATO Reaction Force,SNMG1 trains at a high operational level to meet the very high readiness requirements,always with a view to reaching the capability to respond promptly in times of crisis and conflict.