OFOTEN (Dagbladet): You can not avoid seeing them. In Ofoten – the area around Narvik – there are Norwegian soldiers and NATO soldiers in camouflage uniforms at almost every intersection.
In Grov, a few miles northwest of Narvik, a troop with US Marines has secured both the bridge and the crossroads.
– No comment, was the only thing, an otherwise very nice American troop commander would say.
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Motorcycle with support ski
A few meters from the crossroads, close to 30 soldiers were in cover, equipped with submachine guns, ready to overpower a possible enemy.
On the E6 north of Narvik – on Gratangen – there were both Norwegian and Swedish soldiers. Among other things, a unique group of Swedish soldiers on motorcycles, equipped with support skis.
One of the soldiers was rather skeptical when Dagbladet wanted a chat.
– Identification, demanded the motorcycle soldier, who would not tell where he came from. But the Swedish-English revealed that the man on the New Year’s Husqvarna bike was Swedish.
MC SOLDIERS: Two Swedish MC soldiers are ready for Cold Response. Not many motorcycles equipped with support skis. Photo: Bjørn Langsem / Dagbladet
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At the same time, some Finnish soldiers passed by – who together with the Swedes are the only non-NATO soldiers allowed to take part in the Cold Response exercise. They were in a much better mood.
“But with the exception of the tragic plane crash, in which four American soldiers lost their lives, almost everything has gone according to plan during Cold Response,” says Brigadier Ivar Knotten.
But he almost thinks that the exercise has had to adapt to the northern Norwegian weather.
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Stuck in the bog
– When US Marines and French Marines were to be landed, we had to adjust. But luckily everything went well. According to the plans, the Americans were to land at Grov, and eventually move on. The French marines were going to Bjerkvik, but due to the weather we chose to take them to Grov, before they got on to Bjerkvik, says Brigadier Knotten.
Although almost everything has gone smoothly, a Finnish tank managed to get stuck in a swamp by Gamskogen. The 55-tonne tank was stuck, a few hundred meters from where county road 829 begins at E10 towards Lofoten and Vesterålen
STUCK: The Finnish Leopard tank got stuck in the swamp. Only after three Swedish tanks arrived did they manage to pull the Finns loose. Photo: Bjørn Langsem / Dagbladet
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After a short while, three massive Swedish tanks appeared. After strong wires were attached to the hull of the Finnish Leopard, the Finns were pulled loose from the loose snow and bog.
“Good cooperation”, stated the Finnish major who had arrived.
– The weather conditions have been demanding. In the air and at sea, the exercise has lasted a few days. Now it starts in earnest on land, says Brigadier Ivar Knotten.
“Important for our safety”
The first forces were landed from the naval vessels in the Ofotfjord. At the same time, other NATO forces found their place. On the mountain on the E6 at Gratangsfjellet, civilian traffic went at times at a snail’s pace after Swedish and Finnish tanks moved.
Apparently, it seemed as if the vast majority of civilians – and above all professional motorists – took on the traffic challenges with a smile and stoic calm.
COASTAL HUNTERS: Norwegian coastal hunters hunt for the “enemy” in the Ofotfjord. Photo: Bjørn Langsem / Dagbladet
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Brigadier Knotten is clear that it is important for Norwegian security that Allied soldiers are allowed to participate and train under Arctic conditions.
– Cold Response is Norwegian, and is a Norwegian-led exercise, in which our allies in NATO, as well as Sweden and Finland participate. The exercise means that we are coordinated, both for us in the staff, and for the soldiers who cooperate in the field, says Brigadier Knotten.
Russia was invited as an observer, but chose – due to the pandemic – to say no. We would have liked to have Russian observers here, but they unfortunately chose to decline our invitation.
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“As it used to be”
– We do not see Russia as a threat to Norway now. But at the same time, we are concerned that they have attacked a neighboring country. Through the exercise Cold Response, we show Russia that we – the NATO countries – cooperate well under demanding conditions, says Brigadier Ivar Knotten to Dagbladet.
After the troop of US Marines from the Third Battalion of the American Sixth Marine Division had guarded the bridge in Grov for several hours, and combat-ready soldiers had been hidden in the road ditch, a family came by.
First, Neo (7) came cycling with his sister Nine (10) on wheels, before the parents Vibeke and Kim Aunvik Sjøvoll came strolling. They are not intimidated by the soldiers who have taken over the small town.
– No, it was like that every single year, when I grew up, says Kim Aunvik Sjøvoll.
“Must follow the Finns”
While the mouths of the Swedish soldiers are closed with at least seven seals, General Peder Ohlsson is kindness himself. And uses the opportunity to emphasize that the Swedes are very close to NATO, without being part of NATO.
ARMADA: Led by the English aircraft carrier HMS “Prince of Wales”, the NATO forces have full control over the Norwegian Sea. Photo: Royal Navy
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– You can probably say that Sweden’s relationship with NATO is like Norway’s relationship with the EU. We are involved, but we are not members, says General Ohlsson.
He does not want to say what he personally thinks about a possible NATO membership for Sweden.
– It is a political decision, which our elected representatives must make. But if Finland chooses to apply for membership, we should follow suit, the Swedish general told Dagbladet
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