‘Cold Response 2022' touted as signal of NATO strength

Norway's unique coastal terrain requires unique platforms and logistical planning for amphibious landings. (Janes/Mike Fabey)

The ongoing exercise, ‘Cold Response 2022', in Norway is in part meant to signal NATO strength amid the current security situation in Europe, according to US Marine Corps (USMC) Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Gordinier, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines.

“It's important for us and our allies with our amphibious shipping to be able to deploy and demonstrate our strength as a team,” Lt Col Gordinier told reporters after he led marines and other NATO forces ashore at Sandstrand, Norway, on 21 March during the major amphibious landing for ‘Cold Response 2022'.

“The [NATO] nations supplement and augment what we can do, and that makes us that much stronger,” Lt Col Gordinier said. “It's important to do that off allied shipping and it demonstrates our strength as NATO.”

Hosted by the Norwegian military, ‘Cold Response 2022' combines NATO and partner state forces, with 27 countries, about 30,000 troops, 20 aircraft, and more than 50 vessels taking part.

Lt Col Gordinier noted that for the amphibious landing, US and Dutch marines deployed from the Royal Netherlands Navy amphibious transport ship, HNLMS Rotterdam .

“This is a very unique situation for the US Marine Corps,” he said, noting that US marines had never deployed from a Dutch vessel, and such deployments are especially challenging in the High North. These operations highlight the ability of NATO forces to evolve their operational concepts, he added.

As his forces landed on one beach, Lt Col Gordinier said, French forces conducted their landing on another beachhead to the east, while Italian forces also added to the operations.