U.S. Marines in Norway End Regular Rotations

Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force deployed to Norway in May as part of Marine Rotational Force Europe 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, which focuses on cold-weather and mountain-warfare training and military-to military engagements to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chase Drayer   reported in June

“We are not drawing down and, at times, will have a greater number of Marines here than before, within the terms of the agreement between the United States and Norway,” Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway said.

“Effective October 2020, U.S. Marines will shift to an episodic deployment model in order to better synchronize their arctic training with Norwegian forces and to allow for increased operational flexibility for the Marine Corps.” 

A main reason for Norwegian forces to be on constant readiness according to the MOD is Russian aggression, including that of Security in the Baltic Sea and the War in Georgia.

Twelve years after the war in Georgia, Russian troops are still on Georgian soil and the conflict remains unresolved. ‘Once again we call on Russia to comply with the 2008 ceasefire agreement and pull its forces out of Georgia,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

On the night of 7-8 August 2008, hostilities broke out in the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Russian forces intervened on the side of the separatists and took control of the region, including areas beyond South Ossetia. The ceasefire agreement reached on 12 August 2008 included the requirement that Russian troops withdraw from the occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Instead, Russia has gradually expanded and consolidated its military presence in both these regions, has recognised both of them as independent states, and has signed treaties that integrate them more closely into Russia’s governance structures.