VIDEO: EOD Specialists Brave The Cold On Exercise Arctic Specialist 2025

About 170 mine disposal experts from four NATO nations have been honing their skills in the most challenging Arctic conditions.

This year's iteration of Exercise Arctic Specialist was carried out earlier this month in the freezing waters off the Norwegian Armed Forces’ Kjevik Air Force base in Kristiansand.

The 11-day exercise ran from February 3-13 and saw Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts from  the United States, Denmark and Sweden join the host nation in conducting maritime mine countermeasures (MCM) missions and practising responding to incidents threatening critical infrastructure amid cold and challenging weather conditions.

This year’s marked the first time EOD specialists from Sweden, NATO’s newest member, had participated. The U.S. divers taking part were members of EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, assigned to Commander Task Force (CTF) 68.

The exercise took in training in cold-weather survival techniques, disposal of historical ordnance, and live demolitions, among other themes. All drills had an emphasis on integrated multinational operations and preparation for major combat operations.

“Arctic Specialist represents one of the premier exercises where… [we] hone our cold weather survival, EOD, and diving skills,” said Cmdr. John Kennedy, Commander, Task Group (CTG) 68.1 (EODMU 8).

“The opportunity to train alongside such capable Allies builds confidence in our ability to deploy to the Arctic region and sustain combat operations.”

• You can read more details on the Norwegian Armed Forces website and the US Navy website