German, Norwegian vessels join Truman strike group in Norfolk

Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Naval vessels from Germany and Norway have arrived at the Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to participate in coalition training exercises.

The Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen joined the the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group on Friday and the Sachsen-class German frigate Hessen on Sunday, the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense announced today.

"Any time we can operate with another one of our allies anywhere in the world, we gain from it and they gain from it," U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of the Truman, said in a press release. "I've always had great success working with coalition partners, and this is just a similar task with a more complex mission set. I'm very confident of our success and look forward to sailing with these two great ships."

After the exercise, the Hessen will remain with the strike group to participate in its upcoming unspecified deployment.

"We are looking forward to a challenging and exciting training with the U.S. Navy," Hessen's commanding officer, German navy Cmdr. Oliver Pfennig, said in a press release. "The integration of German warship Hessen in the carrier strike group requires a lot of trust in our capabilities and we will perform professionally and competently in all upcoming CSG operations."

The Hessen was previously deployed with the Truman strike group in 2010.

The Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has led the Carrier Strike Group 8 since June 14.