USS New Mexico making port call to Tromsø

  • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR GALLERY OF ALL PHOTOS: The port call by USS New Mexico to this municipal harbor in Tromsø is the first of many NATO submarines to change crew and get supplies in the years to come. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • USS New Mexico surfaced early Monday morning outside Troms, northern Norway. Here sailing Lenangen en route to Tromsø. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • Norwegian military guards at the port of Tønsnes, some 10 kilometers north of Tromsø city center. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • Tønsnes port is a civilian municipal port in Tromsø with military guards during the visit of the American nuclear-powered submarine. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • During May 10 to 12, the port of Tønsnes is heavily guarded and there is a no-fly zone in a radius of 1 nautical mile. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • Fresh air for the crew for first time after weeks of underwater patrol. Here north of Tromsø Monday morning. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • Norwegian special navy forces dive near the port of Tønsnes to secure the waters before the arrival of the American nuclear submarine. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • The USS New Mexico (SSN 779) is of the Virginia class fast attack submarines. The 115 meters long vessel has a crew of 130 and is powered by one reactor. The sub was commissioned in 2010 as the sixth in its class, which so far consists of 19 vessels. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • The US submarine is escorted inshore by the Norwegian Coast Guard. Photo: Kystvakten
  • This is the first time an NATO nuclear-powered submarine makes port call to a civilian harbor in northern Norway. The guarding and security is comprehensive. In the future, Tønsnes port near Tromsø will have some 3 to 4 port calls by nuclear subs annually, the Norwegian Defense officials inform. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • The Virginia-class USS New Mexico. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • Tønsnes harbor just north of Tromsø is a civilian municipal harbor where Norway has given green light for NATO submarines to dock. Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/Forsvaret
  • Photo: Jonny Karlsen / Forsvaret