NATO Steadfast Defender: Preparations for Amphibious Landing Operations in Norway

Forces from Italian Ship San Giorgio and Italian Ship Giuseppe Garibaldi will conduct amphibious assault and landing exercises in Badderen, Norway on March 6th. 

The high-end Arctic amphibious operations are part of the Norwegian national exercise called Nordic Response and the overarching NATO exercise Steadfast Defender.

Hundreds of Allied marine forces will be traveling through the Kvænangen Fjord, from ITS Garibaldi and ITS San Giorgio to land on the shores of Norway. USS Gunston Hall will also be sending French, Finnish and Swedish forces to the Arctic Fjordcamp landing site simultaneously. 

Some of the vehicles these forces will be using include: Veicolo-Tattico-Leggero-Multiruolos (VTLMs) launched from landing craft mechanized (LCM) boats, assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs), rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), Italian MH-101 helicopters, and Swedish Combat Boats (CB-90s).

Nations involved include Italy, the United States, Spain, France, Finland, and Sweden.