Norway is preparing for massive NATO exercise

Prime Minister Erna Solberg and the head of the US Command in Europe, General Curtis Scaparrotti, at his office in Oslo.Photo: Tore Meek / NTB scanpix

The German military cargo ship, Ark Germania, arrives in Fredrikstad on Friday with military vehicles and equipment for the NATO Trident Juncture exercise.

 

Defence Minister, Frank Bakke-Jensen of Høyre (H) and Attorney General,Tor Mikkel Wara of Fremskrittsparti (Frp) were both in place to meet the ship early on Friday morning.

On board there were approximately 250 military vehicles and containers with equipment going north to Gardermoen, Sessvollmoen, and Rena.

Christmas

The head of the US command in Europe, General Curtis Scaparrotti, is already in the country. On Thursday he met Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.

The major NATO exercise will occur in large parts of the country for several months to come. Material and 40,000 people will be transported during September and October before the field exercise begins with training on October 25th. On November 14th a command-class exercise will begin.

Return of troops and equipment will also be a laborious process, but is scheduled to be completed by Christmas.

Preparations for the exercise are already well underway, but the reception at Borg Harbour in Fredrikstad is currently the largest single reception. Immediately after, the transport starts north in the country.

40,000 men and women

The counties of Nordland, Trøndelag, Møre and Romsdal, Oppland, Hedmark,Oslo, Akershus and Østfold will be alive with preparations for the exercise.

The public will especially note the transportation of military equipment in columns along the main roads.

Military personnel from 31 countries will participate. That includes NATO’s 29 member countries, in addition to Sweden and Finland. Around 10,000 vehicles,120 aircraft and 70 naval vessels will be in business. The exercise itself takes place south of Trondheim and north of Rena, as well as in the air and on the sea.

October 30th is the big demonstration day planned at Byneset outside Trondheim. Military commanders, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg,and ambassadors from NATO countries will see the airplanes and ships.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today