U.S. aircraft carrier runs drills in Adriatic amid Russia-Ukraine tension

U.S. Navy sailors operate onboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, in the Adriatic Sea, February 2, 2022. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

ABOARD THE USS HARRY S TRUMAN (Reuters) - The U.S. admiral leading the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group wouldn't speculate on Wednesday about what comes next after exercises in the Adriatic Sea end in the coming days. Navy rules prohibit talking about future operations.

But as the Pentagon looks for ways to reassure jittery NATO allies following Russia's deployment of over 100,000 forces near Ukraine, the Truman is a powerful symbol of U.S. military might and NATO capabilities in a region increasingly on edge.