German frigate to embark with US Navy carrier strike group

NORFOLK, Va. — A German warship will join a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group that’s getting underway to Europe and the Middle East.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that the USS Harry S. Truman and its support ships will leave Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on Wednesday.

Among the strike group’s ships will be the German frigate FGS Hessen. The state-of-the-art vessel specializes in air defense.

U.S. Navy officials said the Hessen is the only type of ship in the Western world with three kinds of surface-to-air missiles. Its radar has a detection range of more than 200 nautical miles for air targets.

The U.S. military often trains and deploys with NATO allies and other partner nations.

The Hessen also will accompany the strike group for the first part of its deployment.

Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com

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