US Takes Part in Arctic Exercise in North Norway

The US Coast Guard is taking part in a multi-NATO maritime exercise in northern Norway in April.

Ships from all Arctic countries except Russia will participate in the exercise off Tromsø, according to the Norwegian military newspaper Forsvarets Forum. The US is sending the patrol vessel USCGC Calhoun, one of the newest and most modern ships in the US Coast Guard.

The exercise comes at a time when the US government has cast increasing doubt on its commitment to NATO – and in parallel has shown increasing interest in the Arctic, specifically the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland.

According to Norway’s navy, Sjøforsvaret, the US participation sends ‘an important signal of American presence and cooperation in the Arctic’.

During the exercise on 8-9 April, the ships will train on cooperation in search and rescue, oil spill response and radioactive accident management.

Sweden is participating with environmental protection vessels.

Cover photo: The US Coast Guard ship USCGC Calhoun, on the right, will soon sail to northern Norway. Picture taken last year.