Today marks the beginning of the latest U.S. Marine Corps battalion's six-month training rotation today by Marine Rotational Force-Europe (MRF-E) during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at its headquarters in Norway's arctic, mountainous Setermoen Army Base.
During the ceremony at the Norwegian Army's Setermoen Base, the commander of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment Lt. Col. Anthony Johnston handed over the battle colors of MRF-E to Lt. Col. Michael Stansberry, commander of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
"Through five major theater security cooperation exercises and 10 military-to-military engagements, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines and our enablers across the operating forces have demonstrated our firm commitment to our NATO allies and partner nations," said Johnston. "Our personnel and equipment are capable of not only operating, but thriving, in any climate. We will ensure these skill sets are passed along appropriately to our replacements, and we will share our experiences with the operating forces at large."
The ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Hermesmann, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, and was attended by Chief of the Norwegian Army Maj Gen. Eirik Johan Kristoffersen and other senior officers of the Norwegian Armed Forces and Brigade North, also based in Setermoen.
"We are especially proud of our MRF-E Marines and Sailors for all they do here in Norway and throughout Europe," said Hermesmann. "I am confident that our strong bond with our NATO ally Norway will continue and grow stronger through continued military-to-military engagement, and the shared hardship of tough, realistic training in this austere environment."
The Marine Corps rotational presence in Norway facilitates military exercises in the Nordic regions that: support NATO and USEUCOM campaign plans, increase interoperability with Allies and partners, and improve the Marine Corps' cold weather and mountain warfare proficiencies.
For more information regarding this deployment, contact the U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa Communication Strategy and Operations officer at adrian.j.rankinegall@usmc.mil