Taking place in Finland and Norway, the exercise supports NATO’s regional defence strategy outlined at the Alliance’s Washington, D.C., summit in July 2024. General Christopher Donahue, Commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, highlighted its importance, stating that such training ensures tactical readiness and strategic coordination among allied forces.
Approximately 330 U.S. Soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division will participate, alongside 40 Canadian troops and 500 Finnish personnel. The training will focus on command and control of multinational forces, as well as cold-weather survival techniques.
Additionally, soldiers from the Virginia National Guard will join Finnish forces for specialised engineering training. A further 110 U.S. Army personnel from the 41st Field Artillery Brigade will deploy from Germany to Bardufoss, Norway, to demonstrate long-range precision strike capabilities in Arctic conditions.
The U.S. Army continues to enhance its ability to operate in extreme environments, ensuring its forces remain adaptable in high-altitude and harsh weather conditions. This initiative underscores the Army’s commitment to NATO cooperation and safeguarding security interests in the Arctic region.
