Aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier as tensions rise over Russian incursions into NATO airspace

America’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford is at the center of one of NATO’s largest deployments this week.

ABOARD THE USS GERALD R. FORD, The North Sea — America’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, may be in an undisclosed location in the North Sea off the coast of Norway, but this week it is at the center of one of NATO’s largest deployments.

With a series of unprecedented Russian incursions into NATO countries’ airspace setting off alarm bells throughout Europe, the nuclear-powered carrier has been launching squadron after squadron of fighter jets as part of a multinational operation known as Neptune Strike.

Two NATO officials, who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive operational matters, told NBC News that the jets were taking off for assignments somewhere in Eastern Europe, where tensions have been high after a spate of Russian incursions.

Nerves jangled further on Wednesday when German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told his country’s parliament, the Bundestag, that Russia continued to test the line and overflew a German warship in recent days.

A F-18 fighter jet takes off from the Ford as others planes prepare for flights.Carlo Angerer / NBC NewsA German military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not allowed to publicly discuss sensitive military matters, confirmed that Russian jets flew close to the frigate called Hamburg. He added that the ship, which is currently operating in the Baltic Sea, was taking part in Neptune Strike, among other things.