Home  /  Newsroom  /  2022  /  Exercise Cold Response starts in Norway with combined Allied efforts

RAMSTEIN, Germany – Exercise Cold Response 22 (CORE 22) has started in Norway and is the largest annual exercise in Allied territory, including Air, Land, and Sea assets to train in cold weather operations.

The exercise will include about 200 aircraft and around 30,000 troops from 25 countries that are participating in Norway from March to April. CORE 22 is a long-planned and regular exercise, which Norway hosts biannually. Additionally, the B-52s from the current Bomber Task Force mission are flying in support of CORE 22. This integration includes Air-Land and Air-Sea combat manoeuvres as well as Allied fighters practicing their Bomber escort procedures. This training further highlights the dynamic capabilities the Alliance has at its disposal.

Exercising together is how we optimize what each of us bring to the fight. We are committed to the collective defence of all NATO nations

"Exercising together is how we optimize what each of us bring to the fight. We are committed to the collective defence of all NATO nations," said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, Allied Air Command Commander. "Integrating and training with our allies and partners allows us to exercise our combined capabilities while deterring aggression against NATO."

C-17 Globemaster from United States Air Force on allied reception in Bodø In advance of Cold Response 2022.

Over the coming weeks, Allied and Partner armed forces will trek across the vast wilderness, conduct live-fire drills, leap into freezing lakes, and much more. They will hone their arctic training skills, making sure that our armed forces are prepared to respond to any threat or crisis – and keep our countries and people safe. CORE 22 is bringing together Allies from Europe and North America, demonstrating the enduring transatlantic bond at the heart of NATO.

Allied forces need to be ready to operate in any environment under any conditions. Training in Norway allows NATO Allies and Partners to practise their skills operating in extreme and rugged surroundings, from frozen fjords to shivering seas to ice-encrusted mountains.

This year's exercise is long planned and was announced over eight months ago. It is not linked to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, which NATO is responding to with preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory measures.