It is reported that U.S., British and Norwegian forces are in full training exercise on and around the remote Jan Mayen island during Operation Atlantic City from August 26 to September 4. The drill is a key element of Arctic Sentry, a broad-based alliance exercise to build up collective defence and deterrence in the Arctic and High North.

Joint Force Command Norfolk is leading the Arctic Sentry framework, enabling it to coordinate allied exercises, forces and capabilities across the Arctic. The framework vastly enhances operational coordination and joint situational awareness in this increasingly strategic region, officials say.

Chief of Staff of Operations at the Norfolk command, Major General Forde Kristoffersen, said that Arctic Sentry is being used to coordinate all allied operations to improve security in the region. He explained the framework not only builds an understanding of the severe arctic environment, but also maximizes the deterrent effect of these exercises.

Strengthening Deterrence and Combined Operations

The island of Jan Mayen lies in the Norwegian Sea about 1000 km away from mainland Norway and is a Norwegian territory. Its remoteness and harsh climate offer a perfect setting for allied troops to enhance their capabilities to work together smoothly.

The training involves a special team from the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Royal Norwegian Navy and the Norwegian Home Guard. U.S. Department of Defense and UK Ministry of Defence forces are directly operating with them to bolster the ability of the alliance to successfully defend Norwegian territory and secure the northern flank.

Their ability and will to defend all national territory, including the Arctic islands and surrounding waters, is clearly shown in their co-operation with allies, Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Commander of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, said.

The Arctic and High North are increasingly key to global collective security, as a pivotal area of North America and Europe and as a conduit of vital sea-routes. The changing landscape of the environment and rising strategic competition has encouraged alliance members to gradually build up their local military forces.

In exercises such as Operation Atlantic City allied troops have valuable, life-saving experience in the use of the sea, in surveillance, and in arctic survival. The historical operation name is in reference to a U.S. military station in Nordlaguna during the Second World War to facilitate crucial meteorological observations and allied control of the North Atlantic.

It is essential that the allied forces can deal with harsh climate, long distances, and minimal infrastructure in the expansion of operations to the High North. These combined training exercises are conducted under the strict strategic control of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAE) to make sure that the alliance is fully prepared for any combined operations that might be needed in the future.