BRØSTADBOTN, Norway – The “Warlords” of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, began operations for exercise Cold Response 14 shortly after sunset March 13, 2014.
While an icy rain fell, the Marines conducted a tactical movement to the town of Brøstadbotn, Norway, and held the town for troops from other nations to use the military supply road that ran through the town.
“We’ve been operating in support of a mechanized brigade, to secure the coastal areas to allow for more troops and equipment to be off loaded for the fight,” said 1st Lt. Richard Benning, the Golf Company commander and College Station, Texas native.
The exercise has provided the Marines some unique opportunities beyond extreme cold-weather training, such as working with other militaries and working in the civilian population.
“It’s been interesting that we’re operating in the civilian population, with the unique considerations we have to take into account,” said Sgt. Nicholas Meekins, a Company G platoon commander and Lewes, Del., native. “This training has been good preparation for a real world environment. The only thing we’re missing is a real enemy and real combat.”
But Marines had plenty of friendlies as 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines teamed with Norwegian soldiers from the Host Nation Support Battalion, who provided vehicle drivers and logistics support.
“Working with the Norwegians has been the best,” Benning said. “It’s been a lot like working with Marines, except with different uniforms.”
Cold Response 14 is a multilateral and multinational training exercise, bringing 16 nations together for training in a cold weather environment. For the Marines, it showcased an rooted sense of the expeditionary mindset.
“This shows the world what Marines can do,” Benning said. “We’ve been able to pull (pre-positioned) equipment from storage and begin combat operations within 24 hours, while taking into consideration humanitarian aid as well and improving our capabilities with our Norwegian Partners.”