US Marines Get Hot and Sweaty in the Freezing Arctic

US Marines have been battling extreme cold in Norway, preparing for a high-stakes military exercise in the Arctic. Known as Joint Viking, this large-scale operation strengthens NATO’s presence in the region while Russia and China ramp up their own strategic interests.

Preparing for Arctic Combat

A view of the aurora borealis is seen behind a US Marine during a nighttime training exercise.

The Arctic is no easy battleground. Soldiers must adapt to deep snow, frozen landscapes, and brutal winds. The exercise pushes troops to master mountain warfare, conduct naval operations in icy waters, and execute air missions in subzero conditions.

But there’s more at stake than just military training. As climate change melts Arctic ice, new sea routes are forming—routes that could be key to global commerce and military strategy. Nations are scrambling to establish dominance before their rivals do.

A Show of Strength in the High North

US Marines wearing skis trek through the snow in northern Norway.

Joint Viking, led by Norway, takes place in Troms, a northern region just 250 miles from Russia’s border. Around 10,000 troops will take part, including forces from the US, UK, Canada, Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The Marines, stationed in Troms since January, play a crucial role. Their task? To prove they can rapidly mobilize and move large forces across the Atlantic in a crisis. “Speed and readiness are key,” the Marine Corps stated, emphasizing the importance of their presence.

Expanding NATO’s Arctic Strategy

A group of Marines race down a hill on a snowmobile course.

Joint Viking is just one of many military drills shaping NATO’s Arctic strategy. Other exercises, like Nordic Response, Arctic Forge, and Arctic Dolphin, reinforce the alliance’s ability to operate in the extreme north.

But these war games aren’t just about training—they send a message. With the war in Ukraine still raging, NATO wants Russia to know that its Arctic presence is stronger than ever. In the 2023 Joint Viking exercise, NATO commanders patrolled the border on snowmobiles, getting as close as the frozen Pasvik River, which leads to Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

Russia’s Arctic Dilemma

Two Marines lie in the snow as they take aim at targets during live-fire training.

Russia once dominated Arctic military strategy, but the war in Ukraine has forced it to rethink its priorities. Heavy battlefield losses have weakened its land forces, creating a gap in Arctic defenses.

“The Ukraine war acts as a sort of ‘Arctic tranquilizer,’ reducing tensions and the likelihood of direct confrontations between the US and Russia,” wrote retired Norwegian lieutenant colonel Tormod Heier in the Arctic Review on Law and Politics.

Heier noted that neither side wants to risk escalation. “This is partly due to fear of nuclear escalation but also due to strategic necessity: neither US nor Russian forces can afford an overstretch problématique in the contemporary international environment.”

Yet NATO remains on high alert. While Russia shifts focus, its Arctic nuclear capabilities are still a major concern.

China’s Growing Role in the Arctic

Two Marines fire an 81mm mortar embedded in a ditch in the snow during military exercises.

In 2018, China declared itself a “near-Arctic state,” staking its claim in a region where it has no land. Western nations dismissed the move, but Russia embraced China’s growing presence.

Since then, China has invested in Arctic research, energy projects, and infrastructure. These moves have raised alarms among US and NATO allies, who see China’s Arctic ambitions as a potential security threat.

“China is one of the newer entrants on the scene,” said Iris Ferguson, a senior Pentagon official on Arctic policy. “Over time, the strategic interests that they have in the region are… giving us pause.”

A New Frontier of Conflict

A US Marine is drenched after participating in an ice breakthrough drill.

The Arctic isn’t just changing politically—it’s transforming physically. Rising global temperatures are melting ice at an alarming rate, opening new shipping lanes along Russia’s northern coast. These passages could disrupt global trade, giving Moscow and Beijing fresh leverage on the world stage.

Nations are scrambling to secure Arctic resources. Oil, gas, and rare minerals, once locked beneath ice, are now more accessible than ever. The US, Russia, and China are all racing to stake their claim.

Even past US leadership has influenced Arctic policy. Former President Donald Trump openly advocated for more oil drilling in the region and famously suggested buying Greenland as part of a national security strategy.

The Battle for the Arctic Heats Up

The Arctic is no longer an icy wasteland—it’s a battlefield of strategy, resources, and global influence. With NATO ramping up its presence, Russia rethinking its military posture, and China making bold moves, the high north has become the next frontier of great power competition.

Joint Viking is more than a military exercise. It’s a message: the Arctic is up for grabs, and NATO isn’t backing down.