Over 30,000 troops, 50 surface and sub-surface assets and 200 Aircraft from 27 countries participated in the exercise. The training demonstrated the flexibility, capabilities and readiness in the challenging arctic environment of Northern Norway.
SNMG1 led by Commodore A. van de Sande of the Royal Netherlands Navy, consists of the flagship HNLMS De Zeven Provincien, the German Combat Support Ship FGS Berlin, HDMS Peter Willemoes, FGS Erfurt, and HMS Northumberland.
“This large NATO exercise showed what NATO is about: operating together to defend our Allies,” said Sande. “Cold Response 2022 delivered high-end training across the spectrum of (naval) warfare. It was good to see all these NATO units operate together in the High North of Norway, at sea, in the air and ashore.”
SNMG1 ships supported the amphibious operations with air defense, conducted naval surface fire support and anti-submarine coverage.
SNMCMG1 supported other task groups with lead through operations, in mine danger areas within the exercise scenario. The staff embarked extra officers from the Finnish, Norwegian and U.S. navies and they all worked together to deliver outstanding results in MCM operations.
This maritime group is currently led by Commander Ott Laanemets and is comprised of LVSN Virsaitis, BNS Lobelia, FGS Bad Bevensen, ENS Sakala, HMS Grimsby, HNLMS Schiedam, HNOMS Hinnoy.
“For us Cold Response is the first major exercise for this season,” said Laanemets. “We have operated under the overall command of COM UKSTKFOR, side by side with surface and amphibious task groups, enabling the amphibious maneuver in the littorals and keeping the sea lines of communications open. Cold Response has proven our capability in operating in such difficult environment as the fjords of Northern Norway.
“Overall the exercise was a success with MCM vessels managing to find and train on exercise mines whilst HDMS Vaedderen got a different experience from what they are used to doing whilst working with LVNS Virsaitis,” said Laanements.
Ships from both Task Groups are now headed for a pre-planned deployment to the Baltic Sea, to participate in common training and visit ports of allied and partner Nations.