U.S. Navy EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 8 Trains for Arctic Mine Warfare Above Arctic Circle.

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight trained with Norwegian and Swedish forces during Exercise Arctic Specialist 26 from February 3 to 12, 2025, above the Arctic Circle. The drill sharpened expeditionary mine countermeasure and land-based EOD skills in extreme cold, reinforcing allied readiness in the strategically vital High North.

According to U.S. Navy information published on February 18, 2025, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit Eight participated in Exercise Arctic Specialist 26 with Norwegian and Swedish forces from February 3 to 12 above the Arctic Circle. Hosted annually by Norway, the exercise concentrated on expeditionary mine countermeasure missions and land-based explosive ordnance disposal under severe Arctic conditions. Sailors operated in subzero temperatures, limited daylight, and snow-covered terrain that tested mobility, communications, and the reliability of sensitive EOD equipment. The training unfolded amid rising military activity across the High North, where cold-weather proficiency and allied interoperability are increasingly central to deterrence strategy.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight execute a rapid airfield damage repair scenario during Exercise Arctic Specialist 2026 in Arctic conditions. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Arctic Specialist 26 exercise brought together U.S., Norwegian, and Swedish EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) forces in one of NATO's most operationally demanding environments. Temperatures well below freezing, limited daylight, unstable sea ice, and rapidly shifting weather systems created a complex battlespace in which even routine explosive-disposal tasks became technically challenging and potentially life-threatening. For the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed EOD capability under Commander, Task Force 68, the exercise represented a critical validation of Arctic-specific tactics, equipment, and sustainment procedures.

Over ten days, participating units executed underwater demolitions in ice-affected waters, mine identification and exploitation drills, trench clearance, conventional munitions disposal, and rapid airfield damage repair scenarios. These mission sets are central to expeditionary mine countermeasure operations designed to secure sea lines of communication and ensure access to ports, chokepoints, and coastal infrastructure. In Arctic conditions, underwater visibility is degraded, sonar performance can be affected by ice layers, and explosive charges must be calibrated to account for temperature-related material changes. Training under these constraints is essential to guarantee reliability during real-world contingencies.

The importance of such readiness has grown markedly as the Arctic transitions from a peripheral theater to a strategic frontline. Russia continues to maintain and modernize its Arctic military infrastructure, including air bases, radar networks, long-range missile systems, and ice-capable naval assets along its northern coastline. The reopening of Soviet-era facilities and expanded patrol activity in the Barents and Kara Seas underscore Moscow’s determination to secure its northern approaches and assert control over emerging maritime routes. At the same time, increased NATO presence following Finland’s and Sweden’s accession has reshaped the regional security architecture, turning the High North into a zone of direct Alliance-Russia proximity.

In this evolving environment, the ability to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines or unexploded ordnance is not a niche capability but a strategic enabler. Mines remain a cost-effective asymmetric weapon capable of denying access to key waterways, constraining amphibious operations, or disrupting commercial shipping along newly accessible Arctic sea routes. Expeditionary EOD units such as EODMU-8 provide the technical expertise to counter these threats, enabling carrier strike groups, amphibious task forces, and logistics vessels to operate safely in contested waters.

Arctic Specialist 26 also evaluated the performance of specialized cold-weather dive systems, portable sonar platforms for under-ice detection, and modular demolition kits adapted for sub-zero operations. Batteries, detonating cord, and electronic firing systems behave differently in extreme cold, requiring rigorous testing and procedural refinement. Logistics chains were stress-tested to ensure the sustainment of small, highly specialized teams in remote and austere locations where infrastructure is limited, and weather can isolate units for extended periods.

Airfield damage repair scenarios conducted during the exercise highlighted another critical dimension of Arctic operations. Northern air bases serve as strategic hubs for surveillance, air defense, and rapid reinforcement. In a crisis scenario, the rapid clearance of unexploded ordnance and repair of runway surfaces would be essential to restoring sortie generation and maintaining air superiority. EOD teams trained to integrate with engineering units under Arctic conditions provide a key capability for ensuring operational continuity.

The broader political context reinforces the urgency of these preparations. As climate change incrementally opens Arctic maritime corridors, competition over natural resources, seabed claims, and shipping lanes is intensifying. Increased commercial traffic through the Northern Sea Route and other high-latitude passages raises the risk that state and non-state actors will exploit the environment for strategic leverage. In parallel, NATO’s northern flank has expanded, requiring seamless interoperability among Allied forces to deter aggression and respond rapidly to potential crises.

Commander, Task Group 68.1, which includes EODMU-8, remains a core component of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force Europe-Africa. Its ability to locate, identify, render safe, recover, and dispose of explosive ordnance across maritime and land domains under Arctic conditions directly supports deterrence by denial. By demonstrating credible mine countermeasure and explosive disposal capabilities in the High North, the United States and its Allies signal that attempts to restrict freedom of navigation or disrupt critical infrastructure will face a prepared and technically proficient response.

Exercise Arctic Specialist 26, therefore, extends beyond routine multinational training. It represents a deliberate investment in Arctic combat readiness at a time when strategic competition is intensifying, and the margin for operational error is shrinking. In a region where geography amplifies both opportunity and risk, the capability to execute precise EOD missions in snow, ice, and freezing seas has become a cornerstone of NATO’s northern defense posture.

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.