Braving Norway's freezing winter in early February, U.S. Navy and NATO explosive ordnance disposal teams tested their readiness ahead of this year's Arctic exercises, moving deliberately through Kristiansand to sharpen capabilities that regional leaders say matter more than ever for deterrence and stability in a volatile north.

They joined Swedish and Norwegian troops to carry out Arctic Specialist 26, an annual exercise centered on mine clearing and strategic explosive disposal training designed to translate classroom knowledge into field readiness under brutal conditions.

Over the ten days, crews practiced neutralizing explosives underwater and on land, conducted rapid airfield repair, and engaged in short range combat, all while contending with cold, wind, and shifting ice that test even veteran teams.

Swedish forces, NATO's newest members as of 2024, were fully integrated, signaling deeper interoperability in the increasingly contested High North. As one senior leader noted, in this region the smallest mistake can be decisive.

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“In the Arctic, the smallest detail can become the biggest threat," Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Juan Hernandez said in a release, and he added, “Our integration with Norwegian and Swedish partners ensures we operate as a single, lethal force.” The exercise was reportedly a success, with U.S. Navy leaders praising the tight collaboration between participating nations, claiming "unparalleled skill“ was shown during operations.

Arctic Specialist 26 took place just a few days before NATO announced its new framework for the region, called “Arctic Sentry,” led by Joint Force Command Norfolk. That framework underscores a broader shift toward integrated, expeditionary operations in which specialized teams, air power, naval assets, and land forces synchronize to deter adversaries across vast distances.

Training in the Arctic has taken on a new sense of urgency as allies defend the High North amid continued cooperation by Chinese and Russian forces. Arctic Specialist 26 offered an early look at what small, specialized teams can accomplish when they combine precision, patience, and persistent presence in a theater where weather can decide outcomes.

These drills help set the stage for Cold Response 26, NATO’s largest Arctic exercise of the year, which demonstrates how alliance members can pool resources and practice for real emergencies. The joint exercise, also called CORE 26, operates under NATO’s Arctic Sentry framework and is a major Norwegian-led, NATO-allied drill held across the region.

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With roughly 25,000 troops from 14 nations expected to participate in March, leaders say the drills build confidence that the alliance can move quickly from training to real world operations. From a policy perspective, supporters of President Trump argue this readiness starts at the top, with decisive leadership and a focus on rapid modernization that keeps the United States ahead of adversaries in the Arctic.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, championing a strengthened posture, would push for sustained funding and accelerated deployment of specialized units, ensuring alliances stay sharp and capable.

In this vision, real world drills like Arctic Specialist 26 are not only exercises but a signal that the United States will defend its interests with the best teams and the best technology.

Ultimately, the patience and discipline displayed by those teams reflect a broader strategic narrative: a nation that remains vigilant, committed to its allies, and willing to lead.

As the High North grows more crowded with great power competition, such interoperability becomes the bedrock of deterrence and a reminder that American strength is most credible when it is ready.

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