US aircraft carrier is in northern Aegean Sea to ensure flight operations if tensions escalate

[Donkees]

The American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has been in the northern Aegean Sea this week in part to ensure it can conduct flight operations from there if tensions escalate in the region due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a US official familiar with the carrier’s current task.

The official did not disclose the exact location of the ship, but noted it is not routine to operate in the Aegean’s northernmost waters. The area is relatively confined for carrier operations due to the number of small islands and heavy commercial maritime traffic.

“In the event of further escalation,” the Navy could be told to project more fighter jet air patrols into the Black Sea, the official said. “If Russia sought to run the Turkish strait and Turkey asked for NATO support,” then the carrier aircraft could be used for combat air patrols over the Black Sea and Strait of Dardanelles, according to the official. Turkey administers passage permission to transit into the Black Sea for warships, and there is concern about Russia’s future plans there. US fighter aircraft often conduct air patrols for deterrence, and it would not necessarily signal the US is entering conflict.

The Truman’s fighter jets are currently flying over Romania as part of the NATO mission to demonstrate presence and resolve against Russian aggression.The carrier is accompanied by the cruiser USS San Jacinto in the North Aegean. Five other US warships and a Norwegian surface combatant are further south in the Aegean.

This development comes as the Pentagon is also acknowledging it may have to reconsider and increase the long-term US military presence in Europe in the wake of Russia’s aggression.

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-05-22/index.html

[Donkees]

1. Photos: USS Harry S Truman

AEGEAN SEA
03.04.2022
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriela Chambers
USS Harry S Truman


AEGEAN SEA
03.04.2022
Photo by Seaman Anthony Robledo
USS Harry S Truman


AEGEAN SEA
03.04.2022
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsey Trinh
USS Harry S Truman

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7079124/harry-s-truman-carrier-strike-group-scheduled-deployment-us-sixth-fleet-area-operations

[leftieNanner]

4. Very Cool Photos

I sure wouldn't mess with one of those things!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

6. Ahh yes,

the F/A-18 Fighter/Attack aircraft, still quite the potent 4th Gen. aircraft.

[Deminpenn]

11. It's ok, but not as good

as the aircraft it replaced, F-14s and A-6s.

[Leghorn21]

2. Good to know, D, thanks for posting

[leftieNanner]

3. Oh Goodness!

We are scheduled to take a Viking cruise from Athens to Istanbul next month.

It was postponed from 2021 to this year.

So far, Viking hasn't cancelled, but I am getting increasingly nervous about being in that part of the world. We do have trip insurance, so we can choose not to go.

[EndlessWire]

12. Trip insurance?? What about life insurance? n/t

[Tetrachloride]

5. Wiki page of the ship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Harry_S._Truman

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. That's a pretty cramped space.

Only about 150 miles across.

Aegean Sea
https://goo.gl/maps/HF1EToFGT4X57Rxv7

[CentralMass]

8. Putin in now threatening countries over the sanctions. It's time for the world to collectively say

fuck you to Putin.

[Donkees]

9. Truman is conducting day 2 of enhanced Air Policing from North Aegean waters ...

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Donkees]

10. We set out to prove that this dynamic employment of an Aircraft Carrier in pretty restrictive waters

“Conducting enhanced Air Policing from North Aegean waters further illustrates #NATO’s continued ability to share and pool existing capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander, CSG8. “We set out to prove that this dynamic employment of an Aircraft Carrier—in pretty restrictive waters—could be done, and in doing so, we have demonstrated the enduring U.S. commitment to Allies.”

“The Truman and Carrier Air Wing One sailed into the northern Aegean Sea conducting fixed-wing flight operations to support NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission, demonstrating our ability to operate dynamically throughout the theater,” said Capt. Gavin Duff

Truman’s commanding officer. “This team performed flawlessly as we continued to send a clear signal of our ironclad commitment to NATO.” .

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Donkees]

13. *