Military Leaders Discuss Arctic Security, Cooperation in Annual Forum
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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe
A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, poses for a portrait during Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 26, 2020. Reindeer II is a bilateral training exercise hosted by the Norwegian military to increase support capabilities between NATO allies in extreme conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Chockey)
Photo by: Cpl. William Chockey
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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe
U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, scan for adversary tanks with M41A7 TOW Saber Systems during Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 25, 2020. Reindeer II is a bilateral training exercise hosted by the Norwegian military to increase support capabilities between NATO allies in extreme conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Chockey)
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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe
U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conduct a safety of use memorandum (SOUM) on an assault amphibious vehicle in preparation for Exercise Reindeer II, Reindeer I, and Joint Viking in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 19, 2020. The SOUM test assessed the watertight integrity of AAV’s hull on a submerged ramp and is part of a continuing effort to ensure the equipment is safe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Chockey)
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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe
U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force Europe 21.1 (MRF-E), Marine Forces Europe and Africa (MFEA), patrol in the snow during Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 25, 2020. Reindeer II was a bilateral training exercise hosted by the Norwegian military to increase support capabilities between NATO allies in extreme conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick King)
With the ever-increasing international attention focused upon the security situation in the Arctic region, today’s annual Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) brought together 14 senior military leaders from 11 European and North American nations to conduct in-depth discussions on a wide spectrum of High North issues.
In a first, this 11th iteration of the roundtable was virtually hosted by the German Ministry of Defense. The forum aimed to build shared Arctic awareness regarding the security dynamics across the Arctic region as well as the consequences of climate change on Arctic operations – all with the central goal of promoting a secure and stable Arctic region where nations work cooperatively to address shared challenges.
“The Arctic Security Forces Roundtable has grown into a pivotal forum for allies and partners alike to discuss timely, relevant issues that impact the Arctic region’s near and long-term security outlook,” said German Ministry of Defense’s Deputy Director General for Strategy and Operations Maj. Gen. Andreas Hoppe.
Established and co-chaired by Norway and USEUCOM since 2010, the ASFR is a flag-and-general-officer level, military-to-military forum designed to promote regional understanding and enhance multilateral security cooperation in the High North. It is currently the only military forum focused on the Arctic region’s unique challenging security dynamics and architecture, and the full range of military capabilities and cooperation.
“With profound changes occurring in the Arctic, the potential risks for new conflicts remain very real. We remain resolute in our commitment to regional security in this all-important region,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charles Miller, U.S. European Command’s director of plans, policy, strategy and capabilities.
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U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit https://www.eucom.mil.
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