About Arctic Forge

Arctic Forge 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led umbrella exercise for U.S. contributions to partner-hosted exercises in Finland and Norway, focused on building Arctic military capabilities and cooperation.

The exercise takes place from Feb.16 through March 17, 2023, and will strengthen existing partnerships and attract new like-minded partners to meet shared challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities in the Arctic.

Arctic Forge 23 includes Finland's Defense Exercise North, and exercise Joint Viking in Norway.

Finland’s Defense Exercise North will see elements of the 10th Mountain Division, the 11th Airborne Division and the Virginia Army National Guard take part in intensive Arctic training, as well as a multi-day field training exercise with the Finnish Army. Units from 11th Airborne Division will conduct a near over-the-Pole transit from Alaska to Finland. 

Norway’s exercise Joint Viking will host 700 Marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force and 200 Soldiers from the U.S. Army Europe and Africa.  Troops from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom will also participate.

Arctic Forge Images
Press Information

 

Videos
Video by Sgt. Austin Baker
Multinational Soldiers conduct winter warfare training during Defense Exercise North 2023
AFN Wiesbaden
March 13, 2023 | 3:26
U.S. Army Maj. Sidney Leslie, squadron commanding officer, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, Virginia Army National Guard, Col. Jukka Kotilehto, deputy commander of the Jaeger Brigade, Finnish Army, Sgt. Manuel Elias, an infantryman with 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and Lt. Col. Ryan Occhiuzzo, battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, speak about Defense Exercise North in Sodankyla, Finland, Feb. 18-22, 2023. Exercise Arctic Forge 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led umbrella exercise that leverages the host nation exercises Defense Exercise North in Finland, and exercise Joint Viking in Norway, taking place Feb. 16 through March 17, 2023, focused on building capabilities and cooperation in support of the U.S. Army’s Arctic Strategy. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Austin Baker)
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