"A real pleasure": Norway frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen makes special Portsmouth visit with HMS Prince of Wales
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Norwegian sailors who played a vital role in a Carrier Strike Group sailed into Portsmouth for a special visit.
HNoMS Roald Amundsen transited to HMNB Portsmouth yesterday afternoon (November 30) as large crowds gathered to see the warships come home. She followed HMNS Prince of Wales and HMS Dauntless in what was the largest Royal Navy homecoming in 20 years.
The Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate played a vital role in Operation Highmast, a 40,000 nautical mile deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. She was part of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) throughout and has been hosting Royal Navy aviators on board.
A Wildcat helicopter and personnel from 815 Naval Air Squadron joined forces with their Scandanavian counterparts throughout trips to the Mediterranean, Middle East, Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Commander Senior Grade Stian Schnelle, HNoMS Roald Amundsen’s Commanding Officer, said: “Working with the crew from the 815 Squadron has so far been a real pleasure, and is truly a proof of concept for Norwegian-UK cooperation. They are true professionals and make a decisive contribution to make HNoMS Roald Amundsen a credible and effective contribution to the Carrier Strike Group and our mission. The team spirit that has developed over the last few months has created a huge momentum for our navies respectively as we collectively move towards the Type 26 era, operating as ‘one navy’.”
Commander Hjalmar Rasmussen, HNoMS Roald Amundsen’s second in command, said the British helicopter crew became a seamless part of everything on board. He added: “There are surprisingly few cultural differences, and we really appreciate benefiting from their viewpoints on how to run a naval vessel and crew. We teach them some Norwegian, and they teach us English naval ‘jackspeak’, all contributing to a closer and more efficient relationship.”
Lieutenant James Eveleigh said the experiences with the Amundsen built on joint training near Bergen and in the UK earlier this year. “Being integrated with HNoMS Roald Amundsen has been a privilege and proves yet again the ability of Norway and UK forces to work together seamlessly,” he added.
“The training conducted allowed us to work together seamlessly in the Sea of Japan on Operation Highmast. It’s a lovely bunch to work with, and we feel as much as part of the crew as the rest.”
The military ties between Britain and Norway are growing. Oslo ordered five submarine-hunting Type 26 frigates in a mammoth £10bn deal which will see shipbuilding in Scotland continue for years. Once constructed, they are expected to patrol the North Atlantic to protect critical undersea infrastructure from adversaries, such as the Russian shadow fleet. HNoMS Roald Amundsen is expected to stay in Portsmouth for a short while.
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UKCSG, praised the Norwegians for their vital contribution to the deployment. He added: “Their professionalism, skill and commitment to collective defence make them an integral part of the team. The integration of our Norwegian partners not only strengthens the group operationally but also demonstrates our collective resolve to uphold the security and stability of the North Atlantic as allies.”