On its side, the Russian Northern Fleet is regularly training in the Barents Sea and the White Sea. "There are no issues in the north that require a military solution, nor topics where outside intervention is needed," writes Chekanov in an e-mail to NTB. Ford's visit to Norway is illogical and a damaging demonstration of power, states spokesperson at the Russian embassy in Norway, Timur Chekanov. He points to the potential for escalation vis-à-vis Russia. The group will likely not sail north of Tromsø, says researcher at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Commander Tor Ivar Strømmen, to NRK. Ford, Captain Rick Burgess, states to TV 2 that the group of aircraft carriers will sail in the North Sea and Arctic waters. The US Navy and commander of USS Gerald R. Ishee, Commander of the US Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO (maritime battle-staff), in a press release from the fleet. "I look forward to our joint operations on NATO's northern flank, which improve interoperability, maintain freedom of navigation in international waters, deter aggression, and prepare us to defend our nations and the Alliance," says Vice Admiral Thomas E. Training with Norwegian forces outside the Norwegian coast is planned for the aircraft carrier group's stay, according to the Norwegian Joint Headquarters. The ship is also on its first combat deployment – accompanied by three destroyers, a missile cruiser and likely also submarines. Aboard is a crew of 4500 people, and space for around 90 aircraft. Ford is nuclear-powered, 333 meters long, 76 meters high – and 78 meters wide. Ford, paid its first visit to a foreign port in Oslo on Wednesday. The US' new – and the world's largest – aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R.
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