GRØTSUND, Norway –
The Virginia class fast attack submarine, USS Delaware (SSN 791), has concluded a routine port visit in Grøtsund, Norway, September 7, 2026.
During the port visit, leaders from U.S. 6th Fleet and Norwegian Allies toured Delaware and engaged with the Sailors.
According to Rear Adm. John W. Stafford, commander, Task Force 169, the visit is critical to the strategic alliance and ongoing cooperation in High North operations.
“Operations in the strategic gateways of the High North and Norwegian Sea are of paramount importance to maritime security, both for the defense of Europe and the defense of the U.S. homeland,” said Stafford. “By routinely deploying our advanced undersea forces alongside other capabilities, we build interoperability with our allies to deter and defend in the theater across all domains.”
The employment of a U.S. submarine in the region is a part of larger efforts to expand U.S. presence, ensuring freedom of maneuver and safety of navigation. U.S. Navy submarines routinely operate from the Arctic to the Atlantic to provide maritime domain awareness, ensure security and stability, and respond to threats across the European region.
Fast attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and unmanned systems. Fast attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or response to regional crises.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.