EXERCISE COLD RESPONSE 2016
15,000 soldiers from 14 nations are coming to Central Norway to further improve their ability to deal with challenging winter conditions. This guide gives you the necessary information about the exercise.
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Welcome to the seventh Cold Response. Since the first exercise in 2006, the number of participating soldiers and countries has grown. This year, around 15,000 soldiers from fourteen countries will take part.
Together with our partners, we have managed to create an exercise that gives the participants useful and realistic training. Cold Response also strengthens military cooperation, cohesion and interoperability between the participating countries.
As host nation, we are proud to welcome so many capable and skilled people to Norway. Together we can improve and enhance each other’s capabilities, and prepare ourselves in the best possible way – if the situation should require it.
The Norwegian winter can be extreme, and the cold and changing conditions might be unfamiliar and surprising to many of you. In this brochure, we have gathered some useful tips and advice to help you get the most out of the exercise.
And for those of you who have never experienced fierce winter conditions before: Respect the weather and climate. Look after each other, and keep an eye on how your fellow soldiers are doing.
Exercises like Cold Response give us the opportunity to test and confirm our plans, procedures, systems and tactics. They also strengthen cooperation between military and civilian organisations, and military cooperation between the participating countries.
Welcome, and enjoy Central Norway’s beautiful winter landscape!
Rune Jakobsen Commander of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters
“WE ARE PROUD TO WELCOME SO MANY CAPABLE AND SKILLED PEOPLE TO
NORWAY.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction by Rune Jakobsen, Commander of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters 3
Practice makes perfect 4
Aurora Borealis, Northern lights – photo 6
Coping with the cold weather 8
In case of frostbite 9
Words by Maj. Gen. Niel E. Nelson, U.S. Marine Corps 10
Words by Colonel Lars Karlsson, Swedish Armed Forces 11
KNM Helge Ingstad – photo 12
Facts about Norway 14
Norwegian officers ranks 16
Norwegian non-officer ranks 18
Wind speed m/s 5° 0° -5° -10° -15°
Light breeze 1.5 4° -2° -7° -13° -19°
3.0 3° -3° -9° -15° -21°
Gentle breeze 4.5 2° -4° -11° -17° -23°
6.0 1° -5° -12° -18° -24°
Moderate breeze 7.5 1° -6° -12° -19° -25°
9.0 0° -7° -13° -20° -26°
Fresh breeze 10.5 0° -7° -14° -20° -27°
Strong breeze 12.0 -1° -7° -14° -21° -27°
13.5 -1° -8° -15° -21° -28°
Near gale 15.0 -1° -8° -15° -22° -29°
16.5 -2° -9° -15° -22° -29°
Strong gale 18.0 -2° -9° -16° -23° -30°
19.5 -2° -9° -16° -23° -30°
21.0 -2° -9° -16° -23° -30°
WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES (°C)
A WARM WELCOME TO YOU ALL
Photo: Sturlason, Norw
egian Arm
ed Forces
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Read more: www.mil.no/coldresponse
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
The main purpose of Cold Response is to train personnel in how to conduct combat operations under cold weather conditions. Norway is ideally suited for winter activities, and it gives you unique challenges you might not get to experience at home.
Norway’s varied and rugged landscape and harsh winter conditions are great for winter training and exercises. Our vast sea and air territories are also perfect for complex military operations. Because of this, Norway plays host to several multinational exercises. In 2018, NATO will hold a major military exercise (Trident Juncture) in Norway with an expected 25,000 participating soldiers.
Photo: Simen Rudi, N
orwegian A
rmy
Photo: Torbjørn Kjosvold, Norw
egian Arm
ed Forces Media Centre
A coastal ranger during exercise Cold Response 2014.Photo: Morten Opedal, Norwegian Navy
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IN CASE OF FROSTBITE
Local frostbite can occur even if the temperature is above zero. The symp-toms are moderate pain and a tingling sensation in the skin. The skin turns white and hard.
First aid: Frostbite to the hands and feet can be treated on the spot. Place the af-fected hands or feet in an armpit to warm them up. If the frostbite has gone deeper into the subcutaneous fat and muscles, the body part becomes white, hard and numb. It is also difficult to move the skin over the joints. This kind of injury cannot
be treated on the spot. Make sure the sol-dier puts on warm and dry clothes, with wool next to the skin. Provide a hot drink if possible, and make sure the soldier gets to a hospital.
Evacuation: If the affected body part is not warmed up in 10 to 15 minutes, the soldier must be taken to a heated tent or building as quickly as possible. Avoid rubbing or massaging the skin, use the skin-to-skin method instead. Change into warm clothes, and drink something hot.
In order for you to get the most out of the exercise, you should take certain precautions. To maintain your body temperature at all times and to be equipped for coping with the cold weather, you should know what to wear and what to eat and drink.
COPING WITH COLD WEATHER
Drink water! To avoid dehydration, you should drink at least 2.5 litres of water a day.
Eat food! Heat food and drinks – it helps you keep your body warm. Eating just before going
to sleep, keeps your body temperature higher during the night.
Protect your face! Do not go out into the cold right after shaving or washing your face. This is because soap
and water deplete the fat layer in your skin.You should use Vaseline or some other hydrate cream before going out into the cold.
Cover your hands! Do not touch any metal objects without first covering your hands. Always use windproof
woolen mittens.
Dry feet! Keep your feet clean, dry and warm. Keep a few extra pairs of socks in your bag to wear at night.
Wool on the inside! To keep warm, you should wear a layer of wool next to your skin. It is better to wear several thin
layers than one thick layer, and always wear a wind-proof jacket and trousers on the outside. Use braces/suspenders instead of a belt for better air circulation.
Watch out for reindeer and moose! These animals are usually grazing or moving from place
to place in search of food. They must not be disturbed. Slow down and keep as far away from them as possible.
THIS IS COLD RESPONSE
Temperatures can be as low as -20°C
The field training exercise will last for
8 days
15,000 soldiers are expected to participate
Photo: Norw
egian Arm
y
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The low intensity warfare in our international operations, has led us to focus mainly on smaller units rather than on brigade level in our training of soldiers and officers. Due to the changing situation in our region, we must reclaim our brigade capability. We must move from theoretical thoughts to actual capability at all levels. Cold Response 2016 will be an important step towards this.
Sweden’s security is best served in community and cooperation with other countries, and we will not remain passive if an attack should hit a Nordic country or an EU member state. In order to provide as well as receive support, our units
must work together with other countries’ armed forces and be interoperable. This is something we can practice during Cold Response in Norway.
Our participation in Cold Response will send a signal to the world that we have an ability and willingness to solidarity. This creates a common threshold effect as well as credibility.
Colonel Lars Karlsson Commander of the 3rd Brigade Swedish Armed Forces
SECURITY IS BEST SERVED IN COMMUNITY
Exercise Cold Response allows the allied forces and our partner nations to aggregate the combined force in the event of a security crisis. The logistical procedures required to bring these forces together, especially in a cold weather environment, take coordination, collaboration, and practice to implement successfully. Training alongside our Norwegian hosts, other allies, and international partners is an important step to ensuring security and stability in Europe.
During Cold Response we will test how our Marines and our equipment operate in extreme cold weather environments. This will keep us capable and ready to pivot toward any crisis, no matter the
climate. Norway is the ideal setting for this training. The exercise also improves interoperability between the participating nations, enhancing access to a key strategic region within the EUCOM area-of-responsibility.
The expectation is that we improve the allies’ ability to efficiently and effectively aggregate forces from multiple countries to address security crises.
Maj. Gen. Niel E. Nelson Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe & Africa
TRAINING TO OPERATE ANYWHERE
Photo: Ole-Sverre H
augli, Norw
egian Arm
y
Photo: Lars Magne H
ovtun
Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate, KNM Helge IngstadPhoto: Anton Ligaarden
S VA L B ARD
THE POLAR CIRCLE
SWE
FIN
RUS
OSLO
BERGEN
TRONDHEIM
BODØ
KIRKENES
MAIN EXERCISE AR
EA
LAND BORDERSRussia 196 kmFinland 716 kmSweden 1,619 km
COASTLINETotal 28,000 kmEcxl. fjords and inlets 2,650 kmCoastline with Russia 1,752 km
AREASNorway 323,886 km2
Svalbard 60,050 km2
Jan Mayen 373 km2
Population
5,200,000
Mountains
62.1%
Cities
0.4%
Agricultural land
3.1%
Productive forest land
21.3%
NORWAY
The Norwegian name is Norge or Noreg. Originally, the name was Nordvegr – the northern way. Norway accounts for about 40 per cent of the
Scandinavian Peninsula. Norway was unified in the late 9th century, and later entered unions with Denmark and Sweden. Norway got its constitution in 1814,
and gained its full independence in 1905.
Norway is located in northwestern Europe.
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OF 9 OF 8 OF 7 OF 6 OF 5 OF 4 OF 1OF 3 OF 2 OF 1
ARM
YA
IR FORCE
NAVY
INSIGNIA OF THE NORWEGIAN ARMED FORCES
Lieutenant General /
Air Marshal
Major General/Air
Vice-Marshal
Brigadier Colonel/Group Captain
Lieutenant Colonel/Wing Commander
Major/ Squadron
Leader
Captain/Flight Lieutenant
Lieutenant/Flying Officer
Second Lieutenant/Pilot Officer
General/ Air Chief Marshal
Vice-Admiral Rear Admiral Commodore Captain (Navy) Commander Senior Grade
Commander Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Sub LieutenantAdmiral
The Norwegian Armed Forces have ten officer ranks.
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NORWEGIAN ARMED FORCES NON-OFFICER RANKS
Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant
Sergeant 1st Class
Staff Sergeant
Senior Sergeant
Sergeant
The Norwegian Armed Forces introduced new ranks on 1 January 2016. The new ranks are compatible with the NATO rank system.
OR 9 OR 8 OR 7 OR 6 OR 5 OR 5 OR 4 OR 1
Corporal 1st Class
Private
Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Wing Sergeant
Sergeant 1st Class
Sergeant
MasterChief Petty Officer
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer 1st Class
Petty Officer
Senior Specialist
Airman Basic
Master Seaman
OR 4
Corporal
Specialist 1st Class
Leading Seaman
OR 3
Specialist 1st Class
Specialist
Able Seaman
OR 2
Specialist
Junior Specialist
Seaman
OR 1
Private 1st Class
Airman
Able Rating Ordinary Rating
ARM
YA
IR FORCE
NAVY
Senior Petty Officer
Norwegian Armed Forces Media Centre (1193)
www.mil.no/ coldresponse
Environmental contact +47 40 03 35 69
Public affairs +47 40 43 80 83 +47 40 02 96 99
Photo: Elias Engevik, Norw
egian Arm
ed Forces