U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Caitlyn Brancefield, operations chief, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa, gives a shout-out to her team, the Cincinnati Reds, on March 6, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Addysyn Tobar)
U.S. Marines with 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division hold security in a snowstorm during Exercise Joint Viking 25 in Norway, March 10, 2025. U.S. Marines are in Norway as part of exercise Joint Viking 25, a Norwegian military exercise focusing on arctic cold-weather training and military-to-military engagements. The exercise demonstrates the Marine Corps' unique ability to rapidly deploy during a crisis and aims to enhance interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Peterson)
Setermoen, Norway – U.S. Marines are no strangers to challenging environments, but the transition from the warm, sunny beaches of North Carolina to the icy, rugged terrain of Norway marked a unique test of their adaptability.
Traveling 4,144 miles from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marines and Sailors from 2d Marine Division and 2nd Marine Logistics Group journeyed to Setermoen, Norway, to participate in Exercise Joint Viking 25, a Norwegian military exercise designed to enhance Arctic cold-weather training and foster military-to-military cooperation.
“Coming straight from Camp Lejeune to Norway, you’re immediately hit by the cold, the snow, and the wind. It’s a completely different environment,” said U.S. Marine...
U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Europe (MRF-E) prepared to deploy to Finland and integrate with the Finnish Defense Force for exercise Freezing Winds 24 by completing integrated training Oct. 15 – Nov. 28, 2024.
