BARDUFOSS, Norway — Paratroopers with the 11th Airborne Division conducted an over-the-pole direct delivery into Norway on the morning of March 18, 2024. The jump was a part of Arctic Shock 24, the combined U.S. and Norwegian exercise supporting the National Strategy for the Arctic Region in northern Norway, March 18 through 22, 2024.
Arctic Shock includes roughly 130 U.S. Soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division and around 100 soldiers from the Norwegian Armed Forces. The exercise enhances multi-combatant command capabilities and interoperability with U.S. and Norwegian forces.
“We have to — as the only arctic airborne brigade in the Army — be able to deploy out of Alaska; anywhere in the Indo-Pacific, anywhere in the Arctic, anywhere in Europe,” explained Col. Jimmy Howell, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Brigade commander, to the Soldiers participating as part of the pre-brief. “No one else is trained and equipped to do what we do.”
The remainder of the exercise will be a field training exercise focused on cold-weather skills demonstrating the U.S. commitment to defend the High North alongside NATO Ally, Norway.
WATCH: Arctic Angels jump into Arctic Shock
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Jump out of a C-17 Globe Master III onto Lake Takvatnet, Norway during exercise Arctic Shock Mar. 18, 2024. Arctic Shock is an opportunity for the 11th Airborne Division to expand cooperation with Arctic allies, enhance strategic relationships, and build readiness by rapidly deploying Soldiers within an extreme cold weather domain to conduct cold-weather field training with the Norwegian Army. U.S. Army video by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez.
Enjoy more Arctic Shock content
Learn more about U.S. Army Europe and Africa
Social Sharing