03/10/2016: Norwegian troops traverse mountainous terrain in Norway during Exercise COLD RESPONSE 16, on March 4, 2016.
The exercise involves 13 NATO allies and partners and is an opportunity for the militaries to work together and train to respond to any future crises.
Credit: II Marine Expeditionary Force:3/4/16
STEINKJER, Norway — The Norwegian Minister of Defense visited Exercise Cold Response forces at various training locations across Norway, March 2, 2016.
Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide visited both Norwegian forces and U.S. Marines as they execute Exercise Cold Response 16.
“This is the biggest [exercise] in Norway this year. We are lucky enough to have a presence from 13 allies and partners,” said Søreide. “The Americans have the strongest and biggest contribution; we are so grateful for that.”
During Cold Response, the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Norwegian forces are combining efforts with 11 other NATO allies and partner nations to combat notional enemies in a cold-weather climate.
“There are a lot of things happening during Cold Response; we have the capacities from all branches,” said Eriksen Søreide. “The important part of [the exercise] is that we can operate and practice together.”
Multinational, integrated training has prepared approximately 15,000 troops for the 10-day exercise.
“The fact that we will be so closely integrated with the Americans during this exercise is something that is very valuable to us,” said the Minister. “I think it is important to be able to transfer that into operations if we need to.”
Cold Response is designed to help bolster transnational relations while enhancing the participating countries’ abilities to respond to global crises.