U.S. Marines Boost Arctic Combat Readiness with Live-Fire Training in Norway.

U.S. Marines and Sailors from 2nd Distribution Support Battalion carried out live-fire rifle drills at Elvegardsmoen, Norway, to validate Arctic mobility, sustainment, and survivability ahead of Exercise Cold Response 26. The training reinforces the Marine Corps’ ability to project and sustain combat power along NATO’s northern flank, where subzero conditions test equipment reliability and troop endurance.

U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to 2nd Distribution Support Battalion conducted live-fire rifle training at Elvegardsmoen, Norway, as part of preparations for Exercise Cold Response 26, a Norwegian-led winter maneuver under NATO’s enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry. The drills were designed to validate Arctic mobility, sustainment, and survivability in subzero terrain, where frozen ground, limited daylight, and extreme cold strain both equipment and personnel. By integrating marksmanship with cold-weather logistics and maneuver tasks, the unit sharpened its ability to operate in austere northern environments. The evolution supports the Marine Corps’ broader push to maintain credible combat power across NATO’s northern flank, a region of growing strategic importance.
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U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, conduct cold-weather live-fire rifle training at Elvegardsmoen, Norway, on February 19, 2026, as part of their preparation for Exercise Cold Response 26. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The participating unit, assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 27 under the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, represents a critical sustainment component of II Marine Expeditionary Force. While infantry formations typically headline Arctic exercises, logistics Marines form the backbone of operational endurance, ensuring that ammunition, fuel, rations, maintenance, and transportation networks remain functional despite snowbound terrain and limited infrastructure. By integrating cold-weather gear into live-fire drills, the battalion validated not only marksmanship proficiency but also the ability to maintain weapon functionality, manage body heat, and maneuver effectively in layered winter gear.

Cold-weather operations impose mechanical and physiological stresses that directly affect combat performance. Standard service rifles such as the M4 carbine and M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle face lubrication challenges in freezing temperatures, while optics can fog and batteries degrade rapidly. Marines training at Elvegardsmoen had to adapt weapons handling procedures, adjust load-bearing equipment to accommodate bulky cold-weather clothing, and maintain trigger discipline while wearing insulated gloves. These variables can reduce reaction time and accuracy if not rehearsed under realistic conditions. By conducting live-fire maneuvers in snow-covered terrain, the unit increased confidence in its ability to deliver accurate fires while operating in restrictive gear configurations.

The Arctic environment also reshapes tactical movement. Snow depth affects mobility, forcing reliance on oversnow vehicles, skis, or snowshoes, while white terrain alters concealment and target acquisition dynamics. For logistics units, convoy survivability becomes more complex as vehicle engines, fuel systems, and braking components are stressed by extreme cold. Training under these conditions supports the Marine Corps’ broader Force Design 2030 modernization strategy, which emphasizes distributed operations and resilient sustainment in contested environments. A logistics battalion capable of defending itself and maintaining operational tempo in Arctic conditions strengthens the Marine Air-Ground Task Force’s ability to operate independently across dispersed northern theaters.

Exercise Cold Response 26 is expected to involve thousands of troops from NATO and partner nations, reinforcing collective defense planning across Scandinavia and the High North. As a Norwegian-led event within NATO’s Arctic Sentry vigilance framework, the exercise underscores the alliance’s focus on deterrence along its northern approaches. The Arctic’s strategic relevance continues to grow due to increased military activity, emerging sea lanes, and proximity to Russia’s Northern Fleet bases on the Kola Peninsula. U.S. Marine Corps participation signals Washington’s commitment to rapidly reinforcing NATO allies in cold-weather contingencies.

For the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, Arctic certification is not symbolic but operationally decisive. Sustainment forces must be able to establish supply nodes in austere terrain, maintain ammunition distribution under limited daylight conditions, and ensure that communications and power generation systems function despite freezing temperatures. By pairing live-fire proficiency with cold-weather equipment integration, the Marines at Elvegardsmoen demonstrated that sustainment units can defend themselves while maintaining throughput under stress.

The broader strategic message of Cold Response 26 lies in interoperability. Seamless integration with Norwegian, British, and other allied forces requires shared cold-weather doctrine, compatible communications systems, and standardized sustainment procedures. Repeated deployments to Norway also enable U.S. forces to leverage prepositioned equipment stocks stored in the region, reducing strategic lift requirements and accelerating response timelines during a crisis.

As Arctic competition intensifies, the U.S. Marine Corps’ ability to deploy rapidly from the continental United States and operate effectively alongside NATO partners in frozen, mountainous terrain strengthens deterrence by denial. Live-fire readiness at Elvegardsmoen in Norway goes beyond routine marksmanship training; it is a validation of combat effectiveness in one of the world’s most unforgiving operational environments. Cold Response 26 will further test these capabilities at scale, shaping how the U.S.Marine Corps prepares for high-end conflict along NATO’s northern frontier.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.