nivek
As Above So Below
Finland pulled troops from an Arctic military exercise with the US and 8 other countries over coronavirus concerns
The Finnish military has canceled the participation of some 400 of its troops in this month's Exercise Cold Response 20 in Norway.
"The participation of the Armed Forces in the Cold Response exercise conducted by the Norwegian Armed Forces from 9 to 19 March 2020 in northern Norway has been canceled due to the [coronavirus] situation," the Finnish army said in a release that was first reported by Norway-based news outlet The Barents Observer.
Those troops had not traveled to Norway and will not do so, the Finnish military said on March 8, when the decision was made to suspend their participation, according to the release.
Cold Response is a biennial Norwegian-led tactical field-training exercise that was to include some 15,000 personnel from the US, the UK, Dutch, German, French, Belgium, Danish, Finnish, and Swedish militaries.
Exercise Cold Response 2020 takes place in Norway, March 2-28, 2020. The exercise will take place primarily in the north, near Tromso. - Norwegian Ministry of Defense
Roughly 1,500 US service members from the Marine Corps, Navy, Army, and Air Force are set to take part.
"Exercise Cold Response 20 is ongoing and we're working closely with our Norwegian Allies, who are making appropriate adjustments to minimize COVID virus exposure to participating military personnel and the local community," Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a spokesman for US Marine Corps Forces Europe, said in an email on March 8, referring to COVID-19, the infectious disease spread by the recently discovered coronavirus.
"We remain in close coordination with the Norwegian military and public health authorities to ensure the well-being of our personnel and local population," Rankine-Galloway added.
Cold Response 20 is meant to enhance capabilities and allied cooperation in military operations in the harsh Arctic environment, with training exercises on rugged terrain and in extreme cold weather.
.
The Finnish military has canceled the participation of some 400 of its troops in this month's Exercise Cold Response 20 in Norway.
"The participation of the Armed Forces in the Cold Response exercise conducted by the Norwegian Armed Forces from 9 to 19 March 2020 in northern Norway has been canceled due to the [coronavirus] situation," the Finnish army said in a release that was first reported by Norway-based news outlet The Barents Observer.
Those troops had not traveled to Norway and will not do so, the Finnish military said on March 8, when the decision was made to suspend their participation, according to the release.
Cold Response is a biennial Norwegian-led tactical field-training exercise that was to include some 15,000 personnel from the US, the UK, Dutch, German, French, Belgium, Danish, Finnish, and Swedish militaries.
Exercise Cold Response 2020 takes place in Norway, March 2-28, 2020. The exercise will take place primarily in the north, near Tromso. - Norwegian Ministry of Defense
Roughly 1,500 US service members from the Marine Corps, Navy, Army, and Air Force are set to take part.
"Exercise Cold Response 20 is ongoing and we're working closely with our Norwegian Allies, who are making appropriate adjustments to minimize COVID virus exposure to participating military personnel and the local community," Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a spokesman for US Marine Corps Forces Europe, said in an email on March 8, referring to COVID-19, the infectious disease spread by the recently discovered coronavirus.
"We remain in close coordination with the Norwegian military and public health authorities to ensure the well-being of our personnel and local population," Rankine-Galloway added.
Cold Response 20 is meant to enhance capabilities and allied cooperation in military operations in the harsh Arctic environment, with training exercises on rugged terrain and in extreme cold weather.
.