French, Finnish, and Swedish forces to embark on US amphibious ships for NATO exercise in Norway

NATO forces conducted amphibious landings during ‘Cold Response 2022′. The alliance’s ‘Nordic Response’ will build on these operations. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS
Gunston Hall
(LSD 44) arrived in Harstad, Norway, on 21 February to embark Finnish and Swedish forces, which will combine with the French forces that joined the ship in Portsmouth, UK, to conduct amphibious training exercises in Norway, the US Navy (USN) said in a release.

Gunston Hall
will be joined by Italian aircraft carrier
Giuseppe Garibaldi
and amphibious transport dock
San Giorgio
to participate in the NATO exercise, ‘Steadfast Defender 2024′, the USN said.

During ‘Steadfast Defender,’
Gunston Hall
will also participate in related NATO exercises ‘Joint Warrior’ and ‘Nordic Response’, the USN noted.

‘Nordic Response’ will continue and build upon some of the same amphibious operations the joint national forces conducted for the exercise, ‘Cold Response 2022′, also conducted in Norway, US Marine Corps officials told
Janes
in early February 2024.