The last few weeks - commanding a surface group and protecting an amphibious force. The next couple of weeks - ASW and defending the Atlantic SLOCs.
Government of Iceland -
Defence exercise Northern Viking 2022 to take place in Iceland
The aim of the exercise includes practising the defence of the sea routes around Iceland and of important structures and security infrastructure, e.g. telecommunications cables. The participants will also practice the search and rescue of civilians, with the Icelandic Coast Guard and police. Northern Viking includes an amphibious landing of American marines at Miðsandur in Hvalfjörður. The landing is planned for 11 April and temporary traffic restrictions may be expected in the area on the day. Members of the media will be invited to observe the exercise and related events, to the extent possible.
The exercise is open for participation of NATO allies and partners. The naval forces of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Norway have confirmed participation. Military vessels from these states will practice defending the sea routes to the south of Iceland and will participate in a submarine search off the coast of Iceland, with anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters.
US Sixth Fleet Public Affairs -
U.S., Iceland Kick Off Exercise Northern Viking 2022
NV22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and Allied Nations and enables execution of multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland and the Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom Gap. The exercise includes amphibious landings, expeditionary and construction capability, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance with forces demonstrating skills in events across multiple domains, climates, and vignettes to enhance interchangeability and interoperability.
On certain websites, namely the UK Defence Journal, the critics are quick to bemoan the lack of embarked F-35B Lightnings. The ASW significance of multiple Merlin HM2s working with a towed array equipped Type 23 (with her own embarked helicopter) seems to have escaped them. Perhaps nobody told them that the carrier has an ASW role?
Historically carriers have been seen primarily as platforms for sea control - at least in the NATO context. I recently found an old
1970s document relating to the problem of integrating the air wings of the 'attack' carriers (a misnomer as they also carried fighters for fleet defence) and ASW carriers.
See also the discussion here:
Late 1970s US Congress Report - The US Sea Control Mission (carriers needed in the Atlantic for Air Defence and ASW - both then and today).
By the way, today is the 40th anniversary of
Hermes and
Invincible sailing for the Falklands following the Argentine invasion.