The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) arrived in Tromsø, Norway, for a regularly scheduled visit on September 15, 2023. While in Tromsø, the USS Florida will host distinguished visitors for a guided tour, further strengthening the partnership between the United States and Norway. This marks the first visit by an SSGN submarine to Norway.
“We are very grateful to Norway for allowing the USS Florida to make a port visit to Tromsø. “Stops like this ensure that the submarine and its crew can continue their mission of promoting security and stability in the region,” said Rear Adm. Stephen Mack, director of Maritime Operations, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Africa. “We are very pleased to welcome distinguished visitors aboard during their stay in Tromsø as a visible demonstration of the strength of the US-Norwegian partnership, and we look forward to continuing to operate with our former NATO ally as we work together toward our shared objectives.”
Before Tromsø, Florida made a regularly scheduled visit to Naples, Italy, in August 2023.
While in port, Florida’s crew will have the opportunity to experience Tromsø’s rich culture and build relationships with the local population.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) have forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. The U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces across the joint and naval operations spectrum.
The Ohio class consists of 18 nuclear-powered submarines. Fourteen of them are ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). In the 2000s, four of the 18 submarines were converted into guided missile submarines (SSGN), i.e., equipped with conventional weapons.
The USS Florida is an Ohio-class SSGN and is not equipped with nuclear weapons. The submarines of this class have a length of 171 meters.
The Los Angeles-class submarines are nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that form the backbone of the US submarine force, according to the US Navy. The Virginia class also includes nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. While the length of the Virginia-class submarines is between 114 and 140 meters, that of the Los Angeles-class submarines is approximately 110 meters.
US Navy
