A significant Arctic drill, encompassing Norway, Sweden, and Finland, saw over 25,000 individuals from more than a dozen NATO member states participate, testing their operational capabilities in intense, extreme conditions.
Maneuver Cold Response 26, spearheaded by Norway, assembled aerial, ground, and naval units to practice joint defensive actions in the High North. The exercise’s efforts were largely concentrated on enhancing mutual operational capability, swift deployment, and logistical support within frigid environments.
Aerial missions featured US F-35A jets from RAF Lakenheath flying alongside Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s. Concurrently, Finnish F/A-18 Hornets and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens broadened the diverse air situation and enhanced unified operations among partner air arms.
These sorties encompassed intricate situations, including nocturnal missions and cross-domain synchronization. In-flight refueling, supplied by KC-135 fuel carriers from RAF Mildenhall, was pivotal in prolonging the range and stamina of the engaging planes.
Further capacity came from HC-130J planes and HH-60W rotorcraft, executing combat search and rescue drills. These included personnel retrieval assignments in harsh Arctic landscapes alongside Swedish detachments, with exercises spanning from winch maneuvers to mock evacuations.
Throughout the drill, units functioned from numerous sites across the Nordic area. Maintenance crews upheld continuous flight activities despite icy conditions, strong gusts, and snowfall, guaranteeing planes stayed operationally ready consistently. Lt. Col. Dustin Merritt, a US Air Force squadron leader, stated that the maneuver allowed partners “to rehearse and incorporate… from operational strategizing to the concrete implementation.” Meanwhile, Capt. Jeff Chae, a KC-135 aviator, characterized the endeavor as bolstering synchronization and discourse among NATO associates.