Photo By Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw | U.S. Marines and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division...... read more read more
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SETERMOEN, Norway - Nestled among the snow-capped mountains of northern Norway lies Setermoen, home to the Norwegian Army's 1st Armored Battalion. Currently, this remote Arctic outpost is hosting 800 U.S. Marines, who are collaborating to learn arctic operations and tactics while sharing their own operational insights with Norwegian counterparts.
Marines hailing from the U.S. Marine Corps' 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, are in Norway for a series of training events alongside their Norwegian peers, ahead of the upcoming exercise Nordic Response 24, part of NATO's Steadfast Defender series. Training opportunities ahead of the exercise allow for shared values and expertise, enhancing interoperability between the armed forces of both nations, particularly in navigating the harsh arctic conditions.
For the Marines, this presents an invaluable opportunity to learn from the Norwegian Army's extensive experience operating in the frigid climate of northern Norway.
“It's an opportunity for us and our Norwegian partners to share knowledge and collective experience to allow our forces to integrate towards our shared goals," said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Devon Sanderfield, the operations officer for 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
The visiting Marines are particularly focused on learning survival and operational techniques from the Norwegians, ensuring their ability to effectively execute missions and thrive in the unforgiving arctic environment.
"This is our Norwegian allies home and backyard and they have been able to provide us lessons learned and best practices to ensure our forces can accomplish any task," Sanderfield added.
At the same time, Norwegian troops gain valuable insights from the expertise and capabilities demonstrated by the Marines.
"The positive effects of the knowledge exchange is that we get a better understanding of how to plan operations,” explained Norwegian Army Maj. Eirik Andresen, the operations officer for 1st Armored Battalion. “We have learned about integration of joint fires, and the Marine Corps brings new resources that are really beneficial for us in the conducting and planning of operations in the high north with capabilities that we don’t have in our organization.”
The training kicked off with classroom sessions covering everything from cold weather survival skills to meticulous mission planning and execution. Norwegian troops provided in-depth briefings to the Marines, drawing from generations of experience working in the arctic environment of Norway, imparting invaluable wisdom on operating within the unforgiving climate.
The robust relationship between the United States and Norway, with decades of combined exercises, bilateral exchanges, shared investments and combined planning, make both forces stronger and ready for future security challenges. For the U.S. Marines, Norway offers an arctic environment with unique terrain and climate, allowing for demonstrations of NATO collective resolve and combined arms lethality, ensuring success in any clime or place.
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2024 07:36 |
| Story ID: | 463116 |
| Location: | SETERMOEN, TROMS, NO |
| Web Views: | 1,560 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, U.S. Marines, Norwegian Army Collaborate on Operations, Tactics Ahead of NATO's Exercise Nordic Response 24, by MSgt Jon Holmes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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