Normally, the ship stays at the naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, but on May 2, its first ever operational voyage began, Navy Times writes.
The ship is now traveling together with the Norwegian frigate Roald Amundsen and Oslo will be the first port the ship visits, reports VG.
That Oslo and Norway will be the first to be visited by the USS Gerald R. Ford believes that Ståle Ulriksen, university lecturer at the Norwegian Naval Academy, is significant.
– It is a sign of solidarity in NATO and a way to deter Russia. Seen from a Russian point of view, this is probably quite threatening, says Ulriksen to Aftenposten.
In addition to advanced technology and around 70 fighter jets, a crew of 4,500 people is also on board the ship.
– The ship has formidable striking power. If the ship is to be able to reinforce Norway or operate here in war, it must have been here before. It must read about both the climate and the other challenges that exist here, says Ulriksen to Aftenposten.
Russian Embassy: “Illogical show of power”
The Russian embassy in Norway has commented on the visit and believes that it is a harmful demonstration of power.
– Given that Oslo recognizes that Russia poses no direct military threat to Norway, such demonstrations of power look illogical and harmful, says Timur Tjekanov, spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Oslo to the Norwegian news agency NTB.
In connection with the ship’s sailing in through the Oslofjord in the coming days, a temporary no-fly zone will be introduced over the fjord, NTB reports.
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