A U.S. Navy Sailor with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participates in an ice breakthrough event in preparation for Exercise Joint Viking 25 in Setermoen, Norway, on February 7, 2025. 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. SGT. ANTONINO MAZZAMUTO/U.S. MARINE CORPS
THE WATCH STAFF
U.S. Marines are used to serving in harsh conditions, but going from the mild late winter of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to the icy, rugged mountains of Setermoen, Norway, above the Arctic Circle, in February and March 2025 was a challenge.
“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,” U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Grace Toll, a logistics officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, said in a Marine Corps article. “Marines and Sailors have to adapt so they can train and be successful.”
U.S. Soldiers, Marines and Sailors trekked to Norway to participate in Joint Viking 25, a Norwegian military exercise designed for Arctic cold-weather training and to build on international military cooperation. About 10,000 participants came from nine nations: Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Joint Viking 25 was held in Northern Norway from March 3 to 14, but many preparatory events started in February, including an ice breakthrough drill, a weeklong snowmobile course and live-fire exercises. The Marines underwent cold-weather survival training before the ice breakthrough drill, which simulates a Marine or Sailor falling into ice and doing what they can to survive.
“Breaking through that ice into cold water like this is one of the biggest risks they face in this environment,” Toll said. “The importance of cold-weather training like this is to make sure our Sailors and Marines can adapt to this new environment, so that when they get into the exercise they’re not limited. None of their capabilities should be hindered by the extreme conditions.”
The snowmobile course trained Marines how to navigate snowy, mountainous terrain. “It’s a team job. You have to watch out for the people behind you, stop if they fall behind, and make sure everyone stays together,” said Norwegian Army Sgt. 1st Class Joran Steien, a snowmobile course instructor. “Just like moving on patrol in a jungle, awareness of your team is crucial.”
The training reinforces mission readiness and emphasizes the value of NATO allies training together. “Working with our NATO allies is crucial. Understanding their environment — like the High North where we are training now — allows us to share tactics and procedures,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Joseph Mendez of 2nd Marine Division. “When we integrate, we ensure that we fight as one cohesive force, increasing our effectiveness on the battlefield.”
For U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade (1-6 FAR), one of the highlights of Joint Viking 25 was testing the Army’s long-range fire capabilities in the Arctic. It served as a proof of concept for international fires integration.
“We were able to successfully integrate from a multinational observer up on a hill — be it German, Norwegian or American — all the way down through our federated communication fires system,” Lt. Col. Benjamin Roark, commander of 1-6 FAR, said in a U.S. Army article. “From the Norwegian fire control system to the American system, and all the way down to our launchers, we showed we can effectively shoot our way to success with a truly multinational and integrated digital fires system. It showed and proved all aspects of interoperability.”
The exercise featured a large combat operation, supported by 1-6 FAR’s indirect fires. It focused on the defense of Norway, one of the founding members of NATO in 1949.
“Our mission during Joint Viking was to show that we can expeditiously deploy to the Arctic Circle in support of the Norwegian Army and effectively deliver long-range fires,” said Capt. Leone Phuong, commander of Charlie Battery, 1-6 FAR. “Joint Viking was the perfect opportunity for us to conduct actual Arctic operations, face suboptimal temperatures and conditions, and actually see the terrain that we would operate in within the Arctic Circle.”
1-6 FAR also deployed M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems from Germany to Norway to conduct training in a new environment. Soldiers executed a live-fire exercise that highlighted their ability to execute long-range precision fires over vast distances despite the Arctic conditions.
“Long-range fires provide a commander with the opportunity to target areas well beyond a maneuver element’s ability and ultimately shape the battlefield,” Roark said. “You ask our Soldiers what our job is, and it is to deliver death and destruction from a distance.”
The exercise also included a visit from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, who watched a demonstration of the M270A2 and met with Soldiers. The crown prince emphasized that NATO is the cornerstone of Norway’s defense, as well as the importance of allied Soldiers training with Norwegian forces in Arctic conditions.