German, Norwegian frigates arrive in Norfolk to join Harry S. Truman carrier strike group

Two European frigates, one from Norway and the other from Germany, arrived at Norfolk naval base Jan. 26 and 28 to join the US Navy carrier strike group assembled around aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F 311) and Sachsen-class German frigate Hessen (F 221) will be joining the strike group for their upcoming composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) and a subsequent deployment to the Mediterranean.

“Any time we can operate with another one of our allies anywhere in the world, we gain from it and they gain from it,” Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of HST CSG. “I’ve always had great success working with coalition partners and this is just a similar task with a more complex mission set. I’m very confident of our success and look forward to sailing with these two great ships.”

According to Truman’s foreign cooperation officers, partnerships like this are designed to strengthen cooperation and interoperability between the nations’ armed forces. Integrating with foreign navies can prove challenging, but months of planning and coordination took place to ensure a seamless integration, with both warships prepared to demonstrate their capabilities.

“We are looking forward to a challenging and exciting training with the US Navy,” said Hessen’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Oliver Pfennig. “The integration of German warship Hessen in the carrier strike group requires a lot of trust in our capabilities and we will perform professionally and competently in all upcoming CSG operations.”

Following the completion of COMPTUEX, Hessen will remain with the strike group to participate in their upcoming deployment. This is not Hessen’s first time operating with the Truman. The ship’s deployed together as a CSG in 2010.