U.S. Marines, Norwegian troops and British forces deployed to Jan Mayen on Wednesday to begin Cold Response 26, a NATO Arctic Sentry exercise.

Jan Mayen is a remote volcanic island about 1,000 kilometers from mainland Norway, inhabited by a small Norwegian military and civilian staff that operates a meteorological station. Its location north of the Greenland‑Iceland‑U.K. gap made it a key location during the Cold War and has regained relevance as Russia increases its military activities.

The exercise integrates multinational sensors, command‑and‑control nodes and precision fires into a joint kill web to support NATO and U.S. homeland defense. Norwegian Vice Adm. Rune Andersen said the participation demonstrates the capability and will to defend Norwegian territory, including the Arctic islands, the High North and territorial waters. Norwegian Army Maj. Gen. Frode Kristoffersen said Arctic Sentry synchronizes Allied Arctic activity to increase security, enhance deterrence and improve common situational awareness. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. David Palacio said the deployment shows the Marine Corps’ role as a contact‑layer enabler of lethality and ensures the Alliance can target adversary freedom of maneuver in contested maritime terrain. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Shipley said the joint effort reinforces relationships with Norwegian and British allies and shares the burden of securing the High North.

U.S. forces include Marines from MARFOREUR/AF, II Marine Expeditionary Force, elements of the 10th Marine Regiment and Marine Air Support Squadron 1, and receive air mobility from an MC-130 and a C‑130. Fire support comes from a HIMARS platoon of the 3‑197th Field Artillery Regiment. The U.S. Navy contributes personnel from the 6th Fleet and Task Force 68. Norwegian participants come from the Royal Norwegian Navy and the Norwegian Home Guard, while the United Kingdom sends aircraft from No. 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marine Commandos.

The training follows a similar exercise in September 2025 in which an RAF A400M made a first‑of‑its‑type landing on Jan Mayen and transported a Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle while simulating a Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. NATO launched Operation Arctic Sentry in February to provide a unified approach for securing the High North and Arctic region. The current drill is also conducted under Operation Atlantic City, named for a World War II U.S. base on the island.

The exercise will conclude on September 4, and NATO says it will assess the integrated capabilities in the Arctic environment.