As part of the 2024 Arctic Strategy developed by the Pentagon, the U.S. Navy deployed the destroyers of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) to the Barents Sea on October 21, following participation in the Strike Warrior exercise alongside ships from the Royal Navy. According to the U.S. European Command, this was a routine deployment in international waters, involving two Arleigh Burke-class ships: the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and the USS Stout (DDG 55).
Regarding the deployment, Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of the HSTCSG, stated: “Our ability to conduct sustained operations in the challenging Arctic region is fundamental to maintaining a strengthened global presence (…) Stout and Jason Dunham entered the Barents Sea to enhance the U.S. Navy’s situational awareness in the austere Arctic environment and to underscore our commitment to preserving a free and open Arctic.”
Commander Aaron Jefferson III, commanding officer of the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), noted: “The Barents Sea is an exceptionally unique and dynamic environment, presenting a great opportunity for the Jason Dunham to enhance our Arctic warfare readiness (…) Our ability to operate confidently in any condition across the maritime domain is crucial to our mission and demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to our allies.”
It is worth highlighting at this point that the Arctic is slowly becoming a new area of geopolitical tension, as global warming gradually reduces ice coverage, opening up potential new opportunities for the countries in the region, such as scientific research and new maritime routes. This is a significant issue, as several nations are beginning to outline strategies and acquisitions focused on this scenario, a clear example being Canada and its recent purchase of 12 new attack submarines.
Along these lines, it should also be noted that this is not the first deployment of U.S. destroyers in the Barents Sea in recent years. In 2020, a similar operation was conducted with the Royal Navy. Specifically, the U.S. Navy deployed a group of three Arleigh Burke-class ships, which worked together with the British frigate HMS Kent.
Finally, regarding the components of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, it is worth noting that it includes nine squadrons of F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft and one E/A-18G Growler onboard, along with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 and the two aforementioned destroyers, as well as the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64). For the Strike Warrior 2024 deployment, these were joined by British Type 23 frigates HMS Portland and HMS Iron Duke, as well as the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and an Astute-class submarine, all led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and its F-35B fighters. A wide range of ships from Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal also participated in the exercise.
Images used for illustrative purposes
You may also like: A U.S. Navy destroyer conducted the first over-the-horizon firing of one of the new NSM anti-ship missiles
