Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Isiah Alvarez, a transmissions systems operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, sets up a field expedient antenna underneath a road sign in Kamijarvi, Finland, March 16, 2026.  During exercise Cold Response 26, CLB-6 provided combat service support to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, including logistical resupplies and motorized heavy weapon support. This event marks one of the first times U.S. Marines have conducted this type of integrated infantry training with their Finnish counterparts since Finland joined the NATO Alliance. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Apollo Wilson) - U.S. Marine Corps Isiah Alvarez, a transmissions systems operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, sets up a field expedient antenna underneath a road sign in Kamijarvi, Finland, March 16, 2026.  During exercise Cold Response 26, CLB-6 provided combat service support to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, including logistical resupplies and motorized heavy weapon support. This event marks one of the first times U.S. Marines have conducted this type of integrated infantry training with their Finnish counterparts since Finland joined the NATO Alliance. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Apollo Wilson)

U.S. Marine Corps tactical vehicles are staged in preparation for exercise Cold Response 26 in Tromsdalen, Norway, Jan. 22, 2026. The Marine Corps Pre-positioning Program-Norway, managed by Blount Island Command, enables the rapid outfitting of a deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force by storing ready-to-use equipment in climate-controlled caves. Exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Franco Lewis) - U.S. Marine Corps tactical vehicles are staged in preparation for exercise Cold Response 26 in Tromsdalen, Norway, Jan. 22, 2026. The Marine Corps Pre-positioning Program-Norway, managed by Blount Island Command, enables the rapid outfitting of a deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force by storing ready-to-use equipment in climate-controlled caves. Exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Franco Lewis)

Norwegian army Chief of Defence Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, left, gives a challenge coin to U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Sean Day, the deputy chief of staff for the Combined Joint Logistics Support Group during a tour of the CJLSG prior to exercise Cold Response 26 in Kjeller, Norway, Feb. 23, 2026. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo) - Norwegian army Chief of Defence Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, left, gives a challenge coin to U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Sean Day, the deputy chief of staff for the Combined Joint Logistics Support Group during a tour of the CJLSG prior to exercise Cold Response 26 in Kjeller, Norway, Feb. 23, 2026. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

Norwegian Armed Forces personnel, U.S. Marines, and Sailors with the exercise Cold Response 26 Combined Joint Logistics Support Group pose for a group photo after a transfer of authority ceremony at Kjeller Air Base, Norway, Feb. 27, 2026. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo) - Norwegian Armed Forces personnel, U.S. Marines, and Sailors with the exercise Cold Response 26 Combined Joint Logistics Support Group pose for a group photo after a transfer of authority ceremony at Kjeller Air Base, Norway, Feb. 27, 2026. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Nicky Fred Gikoro, with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, records patient data on a Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit-Joint during a Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory-led mass casualty drill as part of exercise Cold Response 26 in Setermoen, Norway, March 11, 2026. The training allowed corpsmen to test new equipment designed to enhance patient data collection and improve medical evacuation networks in austere environments. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Bartman) - U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Nicky Fred Gikoro, with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, records patient data on a Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit-Joint during a Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory-led mass casualty drill as part of exercise Cold Response 26 in Setermoen, Norway, March 11, 2026. The training allowed corpsmen to test new equipment designed to enhance patient data collection and improve medical evacuation networks in austere environments. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Bartman)

Service photos of U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. David Cason, left, a supply officer with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and his grandfather, U.S. Eighth Air Force Maj. Velton Cason, a B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress bombardier-navigator. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo) - Service photos of U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. David Cason, left, a supply officer with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and his grandfather, U.S. Eighth Air Force Maj. Velton Cason, a B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress bombardier-navigator. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, board a C-130 aircraft with the German-French Binational Air Transport Squadron (BATS) at Bardufoss Airport, Norway, March 11, 2026. The participation of the German-French BATS highlighted the importance of allied integration and showcased the rapid deployment capabilities of combined NATO forces. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mya Seymour) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, board a C-130 aircraft with the German-French Binational Air Transport Squadron (BATS) at Bardufoss Airport, Norway, March 11, 2026. The participation of the German-French BATS highlighted the importance of allied integration and showcased the rapid deployment capabilities of combined NATO forces. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mya Seymour)

Setermoen - A U.S. Marine with 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division holds security with a Browning M2 .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun in a defensive position during Exercise Joint Viking 25 in Norway, March 6, 2025. U.S. Marines are in Norway as part of exercise Joint Viking 25, a Norwegian military exercise focusing on arctic cold-weather training and military-to-military engagements. The exercise demonstrates the Marine Corps' unique ability to rapidly deploy during a crisis and aims to enhance interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Peterson)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jonathon Scott, right, a company commander with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and Swedish army 1st Lt. Eric Haslum, a staff officer with Göta Engineering Regiment, review a map in Rovaniemi, Finland, March 12, 2026. Marines participated in the force-on-force portion of exercise Cold Response 26 alongside Swedish soldiers with Skaraborg Regiment to improve combat readiness and lethality against a free-thinking adversary in an unscripted, realistic environment. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Elizalde) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jonathon Scott, right, a company commander with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and Swedish army 1st Lt. Eric Haslum, a staff officer with Göta Engineering Regiment, review a map in Rovaniemi, Finland, March 12, 2026. Marines participated in the force-on-force portion of exercise Cold Response 26 alongside Swedish soldiers with Skaraborg Regiment to improve combat readiness and lethality against a free-thinking adversary in an unscripted, realistic environment. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Elizalde)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Keng Lee, from Wisconsin, a powerline mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, salutes Maj. Danny Sorrells, from Georgia, an F-35B Lightning II pilot with VMFA-224, during exercise Ramstein Flag 2026 in Tervo, Finland, June 10, 2026. The F-35 serves as a versatile asset in support of expeditionary and rapid deployment operations, displaying U.S. capabilities alongside NATO allies throughout RAFL26. RAFL26 is NATO’s premier multi-domain tactical exercise involving 19 nations and over 15 operational locations. The exercise provides realistic combat scenarios in complex environments and is designed to enhance the Alliance’s deterrence and collective defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mya Seymour) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Keng Lee, from Wisconsin, a powerline mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, salutes Maj. Danny Sorrells, from Georgia, an F-35B Lightning II pilot with VMFA-224, during exercise Ramstein Flag 2026 in Tervo, Finland, June 10, 2026. The F-35 serves as a versatile asset in support of expeditionary and rapid deployment operations, displaying U.S. capabilities alongside NATO allies throughout RAFL26. RAFL26 is NATO’s premier multi-domain tactical exercise involving 19 nations and over 15 operational locations. The exercise provides realistic combat scenarios in complex environments and is designed to enhance the Alliance’s deterrence and collective defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mya Seymour)

Medium tactical vehicle replacements and joint light tactical vehicles are staged for a long-range convoy during exercise Aurora 26 in Sweden, April 25, 2026. The long-range convoy from Værnes, Norway, to Sundsvall, Sweden, showcased CLB-24's unit readiness and interoperability with NATO Allies and partners. U.S. Marines and Sailors with 2nd MLG are participating in exercise Aurora as part of the larger U.S. Army-led Sword 26 series of linked multinational exercises, which directly supports NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative concept, validates defense plans, builds a unified lethal force, and strengthens deterrence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brady Hathaway) - Medium tactical vehicle replacements and joint light tactical vehicles are staged for a long-range convoy during exercise Aurora 26 in Sweden, April 25, 2026. The long-range convoy from Værnes, Norway, to Sundsvall, Sweden, showcased CLB-24's unit readiness and interoperability with NATO Allies and partners. U.S. Marines and Sailors with 2nd MLG are participating in exercise Aurora as part of the larger U.S. Army-led Sword 26 series of linked multinational exercises, which directly supports NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative concept, validates defense plans, builds a unified lethal force, and strengthens deterrence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brady Hathaway)