US Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush Arrives in UK Ahead of Major NATO Drills

The US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush arrived in the UK port city of Portsmouth ahead of the NATO Saxon Warrior military drills, the UK Royal Navy said in a press release on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the US Navy 6th Fleet, which operates throughout Europe, said that NATO, EU and UK military representatives were also aboard the aircraft carrier.

#PartnerStrong military representatives from @NATO, the EU & the UK observe flight operations aboard aircraft carrier #USSGeorgeHWBush pic.twitter.com/fCtckYEqGr

— Naval Forces Europe (@USNavyEurope) 27 июля 2017 г.

"Exercise Saxon Warrior is a large, multinational joint exercise which involves 15 warships from five different nations, submarines, over 100 aircraft and about 9,000 personnel," UK Carrier Strike Group commander Cdre. Andrew Benton stated.

Exercise Saxon Warrior will take place off the UK coast on August 1-10. The annual drills are aimed to enhance cooperation and develop "theatre-specific combat skills," according to the US Navy.

The USS George H.W. Bush strike group has been deployed in the 6th Fleet area of operations and has spent the last two years in US-led coalition operations against Daesh terror group.