US Marine Corps Harriers arrive in Norway for Cold Response 22 exercise

US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, taxis on the runway at Bodø Air Station, Norway, March 3, 2022.

The United States Marine Corps deployed AV-8B Harrier II jump jets at Bodø Air Base, Norway, on March 3, 2022. The aircraft, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 - 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, along with thousands of U.S. Marines and Sailors, will participate in Norway's Cold Response 22 exercise which will run from March 14 to April 1, 2022.

The exercise is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation during a high-intensity warfighting scenario in a challenging Arctic environment with rugged terrain and extreme cold weather. 

This iteration will emphasize and test critical activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability, to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration with The Royal Netherlands Navy, and reacting against an adversary force in a dynamic training environment.

U.S. forces began training in Norway in December as Marine units conducted cold weather training and planning in the lead up to the exercise.

Approximately 200 military vehicles, attack and assault aircraft and other equipment departed Camp Lejeune, N.C., in January as part of II Marine Expeditionary Force’s participation in Exercise Cold Response 2022.

Written by Darren Bondi

Images: USMC/Cpl. Adam Henke