US Paratroopers in Norway for Exercise Arctic Shock

Training in Arctic zones is becoming increasingly intense for NATO armies. After the Alpini with the CWO exercise in an Arctic environment, hundreds of American and Norwegian paratroopers tested their skills in extreme cold conditions as part of Exercise Arctic Shock.

The US unit involved was the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska, nicknamed "Arctic Angels".

Members of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Airborne landed on Lake Takvatnet after jumping from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

General Brian Eifler, commander of the 11th Airborne Division, emphasized the importance of the Arctic as a crucial region for power projection and national defense, stating that exercises like this highlight Alaska's strategic position in the world and the strategic value of the 11th Airborne Division for the army and the nation.

"We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Norwegian Armed Forces and to learn advanced cold warfare techniques from their vast experience, while also demonstrating our growing Arctic professionalism," said Gen. Eifler.

Exercise Arctic Shock is a joint military exercise between the United States and Norway conducted in support of the National Arctic Strategy. The five-day exercises run until March 22 in Bardufoss, in Norway's Troms county, involving 150 American soldiers and 100 Norwegians.

The Arctic Shock includes a transpolar movement from northern Alaska to Norway, parachute drops, and field exercises focused on cold environment capabilities, thus demonstrating the United States' commitment to defending the High North.

The goal is to strengthen relationships between various combat commands, improving parachute interoperability and enhancing operational capabilities in the Arctic environment. This commitment has gained increasing importance over the past two years, following the intensification of geopolitical tensions after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The need to strengthen readiness and military cooperation in strategic regions like the Arctic has indeed become more pronounced, highlighting the importance of NATO exercises like Arctic Shock to ensure a coordinated and effective response in any scenario.