USS Kearsarge to arrive in Helsinki for a port visit - American vessels and Marines exercise in the Northern Baltic Sea with the Finnish Navy
The United States Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge will arrive in Helsinki for a port visit 5 - 8 August.
USS Kearsarge is a Wasp-class 257 meter-long amphibious assault ship. The vessel is carrying for example several helicopters and smaller amphibious vessels. The USS Kearsarge is also transporting appx 2,000 marines and sailors. The ship will berth in the Hernesaari harbor.
The vessel will not be open to the public.
There is a flight restriction zone in the harbor. Flying of drones and other aircraft is forbidden over the restriction zone.
Image: Flight restriction zone.
Exercise activity will continue in the Northern Baltic Sea and off the coast of Western Uusimaa
The USS Kearsarge and its crew will continue exercising in the Northern Baltic Sea and the region of Hanko and Upinniemi with the Finnish Navy 8-19 August. The USS Arlington and USS Gunston Hall as well as components of the US Marine Corps (22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit) will also participate in the exercises.
The exercises consist of several partial entities at sea and in the Hankoniemi and Upinniemi areas. The objective of the training is to develop interoperability and compatibility between the Finnish Navy and the United States Navy and Marine Corps as well as Finland’s ability to provide host nation support.
The Navy will participate in the exercises with troops and vessels from the Navy Command, Nyland Brigade, Coastal Brigade, and Coastal Fleet.
Utti Jaeger Regiment will support troop transports with NH90 -helicopters together with Chinooks and Blackhawks from the United States. Additionally, troop transports will be supported by AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters from USS Kearsarge.
The Air Force will take part in the exercises with F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters.
The training will involve significant water traffic and air activity and will cause air noise in the Hankoniemi and Upinniemi areas every day during the exercise.
