Breaking News
White Condor 2025: Belgium Prepares for Arctic Conditions During Training.
From February 24 to March 15, 2025, nearly 220 soldiers from the 3rd Paratrooper Battalion (3 Para) participated in the intense White Condor exercise at Setnesmoen, Norway. This training, conducted in an Arctic environment, aims to prepare soldiers to operate under extreme conditions, where they must face cold, snow, and complete isolation.
Nearly 220 soldiers from the 3rd Paratrooper Battalion participated in the intense White Condor exercise at Setnesmoen, Norway. (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
Surviving in such conditions requires meticulous preparation and rigorous training. To operate effectively, each soldier must first master the basics of survival, camouflage, and movement in Arctic terrain. "Klenne," an instructor with 3 Para, emphasizes the importance of basic drills: "Discipline and basic exercises are essential. In these conditions, even the slightest mistake can be costly. When the cold sets in, our skills begin to diminish. We must be ready to adapt at any moment."
In temperatures well below freezing, the human body burns significantly more calories to maintain warmth. To meet this need, soldiers are provided with specially designed rations that are high in calories and fat. Each ration contains approximately 4,000 to 5,000 kcal per day, much more than standard rations. These meals include freeze-dried dishes, high-calorie energy bars, hot drinks, nuts, and protein-rich snacks.
But beyond the quantity, the warmth of the meals plays a crucial role. "Eating a hot meal immediately provides a sense of warmth and helps to better withstand the cold," adds Vic, a platoon sergeant with 3 Para. Each soldier carries a portable stove and thermos to ensure they always have hot water and the ability to prepare a meal, even in extreme conditions.
In such conditions, managing equipment is critical. A layered system helps keep soldiers warm while wicking away moisture, a key factor in preventing sweat from freezing. "While moving, we avoid being too covered to prevent sweating. But as soon as we stop, we quickly add a warm layer to avoid cooling down," explains Vic.
Every element of the uniform is designed to adapt to the environment: thermal undergarments in direct contact with the skin, insulating layers to retain heat, and an outer layer that is windproof and waterproof.
Although Belgium does not experience the extreme weather conditions of the Far North, modern operations may require intervention in Arctic or sub-Arctic environments. White Condor 2025 thus allows soldiers from the Special Operations Regiment (SO Regt) to gain firsthand experience in cold-weather operations.
The exercise tests equipment and tactics to achieve a high level of self-sufficiency, with a goal of 72 hours without external support. Through this training, soldiers not only develop their physical and technical skills but also enhance their mental resilience, an essential quality for surviving and adapting to the harshest conditions.