News: Five NATO carriers hold drills as part of major naval deployment , 18-Nov-2022

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NATO navies are organizing maneuvers in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean throughout the month of November, bringing together five aircraft carriers, numerous warships and thousands of sailors. Carrier activities will include anti-submarine and air warfare exercises, deck-to-bridge aircraft transfers and resupply at sea.

In the North Atlantic, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s newest and largest warship, has arrived in the UK after weeks of training alongside warships from Canada, the United Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth left Portsmouth on November 10 for F-35 fighter jet exercises in the North Atlantic.

In the Mediterranean, the French Navy’s Charles De Gaulle – escorted by Greek, American and Italian ships – left Toulon on November 15 for deterrent patrols on NATO’s eastern flank and counter-terrorism operations in the Middle -East. Also in the area are the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour and the USS George HW Bush. In recent weeks, George HW Bush jets have carried out deterrent patrols over Lithuania and Poland. After exercises, the Italian Garibaldi returned to Taranto on November 15.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the deployments “demonstrate our ability to project power across the Alliance and rapidly reinforce Allies”. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, she said: “These carriers provide deterrence and they help keep our maritime lines of communication open. Our force sends a clear message that NATO will protect and defend every square inch of Allied territory. At the NATO summit in March, the Allies decided to deploy carrier battle groups, submarines and a significant number of combat ships on persistent patrol.

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