The Coast Guard has been at this for quite a while, but for the first time in about 27 years, the Surface Navy has ventured north of the Arctic Circle in force. Its been a learning experience for the fleet and for the people of Reykjavik, Iceland

They are participating in Exercise Trident Juncture, taking place in and around Nordic Europe Oct. 25 to Nov. 23, including the Baltic Sea, Iceland, and the airspace of Finland and Sweden. There are expected to be “More than 50,000 participants – including 14,000 U.S. service members – … utilizing approximately 150 aircraft, 65 ships and more than 10,000 vehicles in support of the exercise.”

US Navy units include the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) with the carrier, a cruiser, and four destroyers and the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44).

A landing craft utilities (LCU) enters the well deck of the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) on Oct, 3, 2018, to embark on the ship for Trident Juncture 2018. US Navy photo.

Apparently Gunston Hall experienced some minor injuries and damage.

According to a Navy news release, “the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) experienced heavy seas during the evening of Monday, October 22, 2018. As a result, the ship’s Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) and well deck experienced damage. The Gunston Hall is in port Reykjavik, Iceland for further assessment….Amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD-21) also returned to port as a precautionary measure…”

But now we hear from the poor victims in Iceland. 7000 sailors and marines invaded the town of Reykjavik (population about 125,000) and drank all their beer.