On Tuesday, one of the largest ships of the American naval forces, the USS Kearsarge, entered the port of Riga - this happened during a planned visit to the port, including to symbolize the unity and solidarity of NATO.
This is reported by the Delfi portal.
The vessel, more than 250 meters long, moves through the water area of the Port of Riga with the help of tugs. His visit to the port took place after participating in international military exercises in the Baltic Sea.
The USS Kearsarge is the first ship of its type to participate in exercises in the Baltic Sea in 20 years. The mission of the ship, which is the flagship of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Force in the Baltic Sea, is to ensure security in the maritime region.
"This is the first time we've been in these waters, so it's not only a memorable event, but also a very exciting one," says Kearsarge commander Captain Tom Foster.
Various aircraft can be placed and used on the ship, such as the MV-22 Osprey with a variable pitch angle of the propeller. Such aircraft are used for long-distance transportation of special operations forces, as well as for providing units in all weather conditions.
In recent months, several exercises took place in the Baltic Sea with the participation of this ship, for example, the possibilities of interaction with the armed forces of Sweden and Finland were worked out, they actively began their path to joining NATO after the start of the war in Ukraine.
"The US Navy carries out its missions in international waters almost all over the world, often we are at a short distance from Russian ships. It happened in these missions too, but I can say that these cases were safe and professional on both sides." - Said USS Kearsarge Combat Readiness Group Commander Capt. Aaron Kelly.
A US Army amphibious assault ship has a crew of more than 2,000, but can carry up to 1,500 at a time.
Riga is the last port of the Baltic countries where the ship docked. He was in Tallinn at the end of May, and in the port of Klaipeda at the end of August.