Operating as a cohesive strike group is no easy feat. Adding a state-of-the-art foreign vessel to the mix is even more challenging.

Enter Cmdr. Stian Schnelle, the liaison officer (LNO) between the Royal Norwegian Navy and the U.S. Navy, specifically between the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridjof Nansen (F 310) and the commander of Carrier Strike Group 10.

An LNO acts as a representative of an ally's navy, and being embarked on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during the current composite training unit exercise allows Schnelle to interact with officers from CSG-10 and gives each nation's service an opportunity to exchange ideas that will aid in future opportunities to work together.

"My job here is to make sure we're working with CSG-10 for the integration of Fridjof Nansen to be as smooth as possible," said Schnelle, who has worked with the U.S. Navy before. "We've been very warmly welcomed aboard, and together we have found a way to integrate as NATO allies in a swift manner."

Since coming aboard, Schnelle has helped coordinate numerous strike group drills and training exercises incorporating the Norwegian frigate. In Norway, he is head of the operational department of the Norwegian Frigate Training Center.

"COMPTUEX is being executed in a complex setting with a lot of moving parts, and we learn a lot in this environment," Schnelle said. "The most important thing is that we, as NATO allies, can join a carrier strike group and operate effectively."

Through this training, both nations get a glimpse at the other's tactical capabilities and learn to work as a single, cohesive force.

"From a U.S. perspective, I think it's important for them to learn about the capacities of their allies and how we can be a force multiplier with our systems and weapon inventory," Schnelle said. "It helps show what is necessary to integrate an ally into a carrier strike group."

The merging of two military forces is no simple task. While the nature of many evolutions may be similar, the navies must learn to respond as a unit.

"We always have some differences in how we approach things," Schnelle said. "The biggest challenge for both the Norwegian and the U.S. navies is to find a common way of preparing and executing different events and exercises. This has been a great learning point for us, and we have come a very long way from where we started to where we are now."

Schnelle said facing the challenges of this COMPTUEX with U.S. Sailors has been a worthwhile experience.

"We have met a lot of great and interesting people here on board," he said. "A lot of Ike's crew has been asking us questions and showing a lot of interest in why we are here. We appreciate that and look forward to finishing the last two weeks as a strike group team."

Schnelle expressed hopes of working with the U.S. Navy in the future after the successful completion of COMPTUEX.

For more from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn69/.