Norwegian Armed Forces to train with Allies on Jan Mayen
From 26 August to 4 September, the Norwegian Armed Forces will train alongside British and US forces on and around Jan Mayen.
The training, named Operation Atlantic City, is part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry – the Alliance’s enhanced Vigilance Activity for the High North. Arctic Sentry is led by Joint Force Command Norfolk. The training aims to strengthen NATO’s ability to operate jointly under challenging Arctic conditions.
Jan Mayen is Norwegian territory and therefore also falls within NATO’s area of responsibility. It is important that both Norwegian and Allied forces are familiar with the geography, as well as the unique and highly challenging conditions on Jan Mayen.
Last year, the Norwegian Armed Forces and Allied forces also conducted similar training on and around Jan Mayen. Norwegian participants include personnel from the Royal Norwegian Navy and the Norwegian Home Guard.
“By operating alongside our Allies, we demonstrate that we have both the capability and the will to defend Norwegian territory. This includes the Arctic islands, the High North and our territorial waters,” says Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Commander of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ).
The Norwegian Armed Forces regularly train and exercise for a range of scenarios in the High North. Jan Mayen is situated in an isolated part of the Norwegian Sea, approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from mainland Norway. At the same time, the island occupies an important geostrategic position.
The name Atlantic City comes from a US military base established at Nordlaguna on Jan Mayen during the Second World War. The base was intended to support meteorological observations and help maintain Allied control in the North Atlantic.
Information for the press
Photos and video from the exercise will be made available on an ongoing basis in the Norwegian Armed Forces’ media bank.
Press contact:
Duty press officer, Norwegian Joint Headquarters
Telephone: +47 40 43 80 83
E-mail: foh.info@mil.no