Originally Posted by
Asturias56
can't see it distracting Putin from real warfare elsewhere
The participation of Finland and Sweden probably won't go unnoticed.
There is supposed to be a second aircraft carrier participating, it was reported in some sources in January this was going to be the USS Harry S Truman but that seems highly unlikely as she was due to transit the Suez Canal until CSG8 was retasked last December to remain in in the Med to allow CAW-1 to support NATO enhanced Air Policing in response to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. I would have expected this second carrier to be providing the fixed wing element.
As well as acting as Command Ship, I would assume that HMS Prince of Wales is operating in her 'littoral manouevre' role as this is essentially a Northern Flank reinforcement exercise. As part of II MEF, the US Marines have already deployed F/A-18s and AV-8Bs. RNoAF F-35As are also involved providing intercept capability. The factsheet lists the UK Air component as AW159 Wildcat, EH101 Merlin, HH-60 Pave Hawk
(Shome mistake, obviously) and P-8.
The three phases of the exercise:
Phase 1: Command of the sea (sea control) ensures that Allies are able to deploy to Norway. Sea control is ensured by the use of naval and air forces.
Phase 2: Air operations to ensure allied deployment. Norwegian troops secure important hubs for reception, and the Norwegian total defence prepares for the receiving allied troops and materiel.
Phase 3: Allied amphibious and land operations. These operations are carried out with the support of air and naval forces.