For around five days, Mallorca has one more attraction this year. The gigantic aircraft carrier “USS Harry S. Truman” anchors off Palma. According to the US military, the stay in the Mediterranean is part of a longer tour of European waters and serves to strengthen country partnerships between the United States and local allies. The trip should also enable the American soldiers to better understand and get to know the countries and cultures.
The fleet of the “USS Harry S. Truman” has been on the move in the Mediterranean region since the end of 2021 and, in addition to excursions for the crew, also offers opportunities for joint exercises with other armed forces.
More than 6000 “tourists” in one fell swoop
There is a real giant on the horizon for onlookers: The “USS Harry S. Truman” is 332 meters long and 76 meters wide. The ship accommodates almost 6000 people and up to 90 airplanes and helicopters. The “USS Harry S. Truman” is powered by two nuclear reactors and four propellers, with which it reaches a top speed of 30 knots, which corresponds to about 56 kilometers per hour.
The aircraft carrier has operated for the US Navy since 1998. The ship was part of the Iraq war, assisted in Hurricane Katrina and has been deployed in Europe and the Middle East since 2018. Her homeport is Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, USA. And even if the Navy does not explicitly mention it, the whereabouts of the “USS Harry S. Truman” may have something to do with the war in Ukraine – at least that’s what reports suggest that even before the invasion began and spoke of this intention that the presence of such a ship should “calm down”.
Money rain on Palma
For the island, the US fleet is apparently a blessing. As the “Mallorca Zeitung” reports, the crew members of the carrier have been mingling with the tourists since Saturday and are said to spend around 2.5 million euros a day. The crew is driven around the island in around 30 buses every day and is very generous, they say. Luxury hotels would also benefit from the military visit, reports the “Mallorca Services” website, citing agencies. Accordingly, accommodations in Palmanova and Magaluf are particularly popular among commanders, officers and non-commissioned officers.
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The ship should be in Palma until Tuesday before continuing its journey. Most recently, the “USS Harry S. Truman” visited the Germans’ favorite island in 2014. Where it goes afterwards will be promptly on the Crew Twitter account to be read. Or you track the ship even via relevant websites – as long as the location is active.
source: Navy, mirror, Majorca newspaper, Majorca services