RAF Regiment Demonstrates Arctic Readiness During Exercise Cold Response 2026.
Personnel from 51 Squadron RAF Regiment have successfully deployed to Norway to enhance their Arctic warfare capability and reinforce NATO’s collective defence posture in the High North.
The deployment began with Exercise NORDIC CHEETAH before transitioning into NATO’s Exercise COLD RESPONSE 26 - a large-scale multinational exercise conducted across Norway, Finland and Sweden. Operating approximately 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at Evenes Air Base and the Elvegårdsmoen training area, RAF Regiment personnel have trained in some of the harshest environmental conditions on the planet.
Temperatures dropped to as low as –21°C, providing realistic conditions for demanding cold-weather training. Personnel undertook specialist activities including winter survival drills, shelter construction and ice-breaking exercises, ensuring they can sustain operations even when isolated in austere environments.
The deployment, primarily comprising RAF Regiment personnel, was enabled by support from across the wider Global Enablement (GE) Force, including the Air Security Force (ASF) and 2 Mechanical Transport (2MT), demonstrating the RAF’s ability to deploy and sustain force elements in extreme conditions.
Following this initial training phase, personnel transitioned into full mission execution during Exercise COLD RESPONSE 26. Operating in a simulated NATO Article 5 scenario, RAF Regiment gunners delivered full-spectrum Force Protection against a wide range of conventional and non-conventional threats.
A key focus of the exercise was interoperability. RAF personnel worked in full integration with the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s 133 Force Protection Battalion, as well as collaboration with 132 Luftving, ensuring seamless cooperation in defending critical air assets. This included the protection of high-value NATO platforms such as F-35, P-8 and Atlantique 2 aircraft.
Wing Commander Damien Handley, Officer Commanding 5 Force Protection Wing, said:
“Exercise COLD RESPONSE 26 has provided an excellent opportunity for the RAF Regiment to deliver full-spectrum Air Force Protection outputs against a wide range of conventional and non-conventional threats. Operating under the conditions of a simulated Article 5 NATO deployment, the team have capitalised upon their recent Cold Weather Warfare training to fully integrate with 133 Force Protection Battalion, Royal Norwegian Air Force and safeguard a wide range of NATO air assets.”
“It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside our Norwegian partners. The five-week deployment has fostered strong bilateral relationships whilst demonstrating that we are able to thrive within challenging Arctic conditions to deliver class-leading integrated Force Protection effects within the complex Air-Ground Environment.”
The importance of the training was reinforced during a visit by Commander RAF Regiment, Group Captain Wiseman, and Corps Warrant Officer Cashmore, who observed the demanding conditions first-hand and joined personnel during winter survival and ice-breaking activities.
This deployment highlights the RAF Regiment’s ability to operate effectively in extreme environments while strengthening partnerships with key NATO allies. As the strategic importance of the Arctic continues to grow, training alongside Norway remains critical to ensuring the Alliance can defend air and space capabilities wherever required.
A spokesperson for 51 Squadron RAF Regiment said:
“The RAF is always prepared to fly and fight 24 hours a day, maintaining control of the air and ensuring the safety and integrity of the UK. Working with international partners strengthens the RAF’s ability to deliver global security, protecting UK nationals both at home and abroad.”
“The RAF remains committed to its role in collective defence, ensuring the strength and unity of the alliance while deterring threats to security.”
