Download the full document here: No. 25-1049, Arctic Forge 25 (Jul 25) [PDF - 2.6 MB]
Arctic Forge Reflections
CPT Spencer Cavotti: Company Commander
Introduction
Arctic Forge 2025 was a multi-national NATO training exercise with three main purposes:
• Validate the rapid over-the-pole reinforcement of NATO allies in the arctic
• Deter adversarial aggression within the high north
• Provide an opportunity for NATO allies to train together
In preparation for the February exercise, HHC, 2-14IN sent 25% of its Soldiers to Fort Drum to attend the Cold Weather Operations Course (CWOC), led by the Fort Drum Mountain Training Group. The remaining Soldiers honed their skills through physical training sessions on snowshoes and military cross-country skis.
As part of reception, staging, onward movement, and integration (RSOI), the company deployed to Fort Wainwright, Alaska two weeks before joining TF Blackhawk and deploying to Finland. While in Alaska, they completed 11th ABN DIV CWOC Training, focusing on fieldcraft and survivability. On February 17th, 2025, TF Blackhawk deployed to the Sodankylä Training Garrison in Finnish Lapland.
TF Blackhawk integrated the 5-1 Cavalry Squadron Headquarters, A/5-1 Cavalry Troop, a Canadian Direct Fire Support (DFS) Platoon (Anti-tank) from the 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment (Petawawa), a Finnish Infantry Company from the Kainuu Brigade (Kajaani, Finland), and HHC, 2-14IN. HHC, 2-14IN then uniquely constructed Team Headhunter, a 100-Soldier unit comprised of a standard light infantry mortar platoon, a sapper platoon, a dismounted anti-tank assault platoon, a scout platoon, and the company headquarters.
During the first week in Lapland, TF Blackhawk conducted familiarization training on standard Finnish equipment, including the BV-206 (Small Unit Support Vehicle), sport utility snowmobiles, Finnish arctic tents, Nordic cross-country skis, and ahkio sleds. A three-day field training exercise then pitted TF Blackhawk against a Finnish Company Team from the Jaeger Brigade, consisting of light infantry soldiers and Leopard 2A4 tanks.
Throughout the exercise, Observer-Controller/Trainers (OC/Ts) emphasized that rather than simply enduring a short-term training exercise, the Finnish arctic environment and potential adversaries demand a focus on prolonged arctic combat operations. While OC/Ts acknowledged that TF Blackhawk could sustain its operational tempo for three days, they noted that they would struggle to maintain that intensity over three weeks or longer. This observation highlighted a key difference between typical US training exercises – with defined start and end dates – and the open-ended nature of large-scale combat operations (LSCO).
The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, now in its third year, underscores the need to prepare for prolonged conflict. Finnish soldiers prioritize sustainment and survivability in static defensive positions and tailor offensive tactics to overcome numerically superior forces. They demonstrate a commitment to equipment maintenance and fieldcraft to maximize their battlefield endurance.
The following sections of this paper present reflections from the Mortar, Scout, Assault, and Sapper Platoon Leaders, as well as company-level insights, detailing how each unit overcame the challenges of the arctic environment. Each leader discusses the unique obstacles they faced, their tactical responsibilities, and their adaptations for success. Although all platoons encountered similar challenges – mobility, cold-weather survivability, and sustainment operations – their specific missions led to diverse solutions.
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