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The Norwegian Armed Forces, approximately 3,000 U.S. Marines and other U.S. forces, as well as other NATO military forces, are scheduled to conduct exercise Cold Response 26 in March 2026. Allied militaries plan to conduct unit-level cold weather training in Norway beginning in January in preparation for the exercise.
Cold Response 26 is a routine Norwegian-led winter military exercise in northern Norway. U.S. forces are participating as part of U.S. government efforts to support Norwegian and NATO defense concepts and to enable European allies to position NATO for success and effective deterrence. This exercise is part of a regular training schedule designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to operate in challenging conditions. The exercise will bring together over 25,000 personnel from a dozen nations and organizations, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States and NATO to enhance interoperability and prepare for future challenges in the Arctic environment.
Cold Response 26 is a key component of NATO’s defensive framework and will simulate a realistic security environment, testing the ability of participating forces to respond to a range of potential crises and adapt to evolving threats. The exercise comes on the heels of NATO Joint Forces Command – Norfolk assuming operational control over the full Nordic region.
Cold Response 26 is a significant milestone to demonstrate the readiness of a U.S.-based Marine Air Ground Task Force to swiftly assemble and deploy across the Atlantic, be received by Norwegian forces, and conduct operations to enable larger NATO missions.
“Exercises like Cold Response 26 are crucial for ensuring Norway’s readiness and resilience, as well as demonstrating burden sharing across the Alliance,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel L. Shipley, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa. “This exercise isn’t just about preparing for today’s threats; it’s about building the capabilities and strengthening the capacity necessary to deter future aggression and safeguard our shared interests.”
U.S. Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force will play a significant role in Cold Response 26, with forces from 2nd Marine Division deploying from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., to demonstrate their ability to operate in the harsh Arctic environment. Their participation highlights the strategic importance of the U.S. Marine Corps in reinforcing NATO’s northern flank and ensuring smooth integration with Norwegian forces. This participation underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Allies in defending NATO’s northern flank, enhancing collective readiness by building upon longstanding partnerships.
“Our focus during Cold Response [26] is to position European success and seamlessly support Norwegian-led defense plans,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Farrell J. Sullivan, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division. “This means ensuring every domain is synchronized to support the warfighter on the ground and to provide our NATO partners with the decisive combat power they need, when they need it. This exercise is about more than just technology; it’s about forging the habits of discipline and trust that define true combat readiness, and it demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the collective defense of this Alliance.”
Other significant U.S. participants include a Seabee detachment and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the U.S. Navy; bulk fuel capabilities from the U.S. Army’s 21st Theater Sustainment Command; F-35A Lightning IIs, KC-135 Stratotankers, HH60W Jolly Green IIs, MC-130J Commando IIs, and CV-22 Ospreys from the U.S. Air Force; and forces from U.S. Special Operations Command.
For more information about U.S. Marien Corps forces deployed to Europe, contact U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Zackary Leuthardt, zackary.leuthardt@usmc.mil or visit the Cold Response 26 feature page.
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2026 05:53 |
| Story ID: | 556385 |
| Location: | DE |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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