Norway welcomes USMC rotational training and exercises

-The US initiative to augment their training and exercises in Norway by locating a Marine Corps Rotational Force in Norway is highly welcome and will have positive implications for our already strong bilateral relationship, says Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide.

-The Unites States is a long term and close ally to Norway. US participation in military exercises and training in Norway is one element in this long-standing and close security policy relationship. We receive positive feedback from Allies who find Norwegian cold-weather conditions ideal for training and exercises. I am pleased to welcome additional American troops to train in our superb conditions, she continues.

 - The presence of a US Marine Corps reinforced company-size unit at Vaernes in Mid-Norway will provide significantly enhanced opportunities for mutual exercises and improved interoperability. The training and exercise activities will not be limited to Vaernes, but will take place also at other locations in Norway. A rotational presence of USMC will also facilitate development of the Marine Corps Prepositioning Programme in Norway. Following an initial evaluation during the trial-period in 2017, we will determine how to proceed with the USMC rotational presence beyond 2017.

This rotational force agreement builds on the framework of the longstanding agreements between the U.S. and Norway on prepositioning and reinforcement, renewed in 2005 in the Memorandum of Understanding Governing Prestockage and Reinforcement of Norway. The renewal of the agreement, which was approved by the Storting (Parliament) in 2006, opens for a considerable increase of American training and excercises in Norway.

-This US-initiative is welcome and also fits well within ongoing processes in NATO to increase exercises, training and interoperability within the Alliance, says Eriksen Søreide.