ArcticShock

About Arctic Shock

Arctic Shock is a combined U.S. and Norwegian exercise supporting the National Arctic Strategy that enhances multi-combatant command relationships, airborne interoperability, and Arctic capabilities.

The exercise takes place from March 18 to 22, 2024, in Bardufoss, Norway, with around 150 U.S. Soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division and around 100 soldiers from the Norwegian Armed Forces participating.

The exercise consists of an over-the-pole movement from Alaska to Norway, an airborne jump, and a field training exercise focused on cold-weather capabilities demonstrating the U.S. commitment to defend the High North.

Arctic Forge Images

Press Information

All news, photos and videos from Arctic Shock is available for download on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
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Videos

Video by Staff Sgt. Barbara Pendl

86th IBCT (MTN) Soldiers Conduct Sling Load in Greece

U.S. Army Europe and Africa

May 30, 2025 | 2:52

Soldiers of the 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, participate in sling load training with UH-60 Black Hawk at Petrochori Army Base, Greece. As part of DEFENDER 25, U.S. troops join NATO allied and partner nations to build readiness. strengthen deterrence, and demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy combat power across Europe.

Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict.

(U.S. Army b-roll by Staff Sgt. Barbara Pendl)