RAF Regiment personnel have completed Arctic warfare training in Norway as part of preparations for Exercise Cold Response 2026, the Royal Air Force stated.
The training took place more than 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle and focused on developing the skills needed to protect airfields and support NATO air operations in extreme cold-weather environments.
According to a news update, members of 51 Squadron RAF Regiment conducted the activity under Exercise Nordic Cheetah in Evenes, Norway. The programme included winter survival training designed to prepare personnel for operating in conditions that featured temperatures as low as –21°C, deep snow and limited daylight.
The survival phase involved navigation exercises, shelter construction and techniques for sustaining operations in severe cold. Personnel also carried out ice-breaking drills intended to prepare them for operating on or near frozen terrain.
Group Captain Wiseman, Commander RAF Regiment, visited the exercise alongside Corps Warrant Officer WO Cashmore as personnel completed the survival phase.
“RAF Regiment personnel have demonstrated the resilience and professionalism needed to operate in one of the world’s toughest environments. Their work here directly enhances NATO’s ability to maintain secure and effective air operations in the High North.”
Following the survival phase, the squadron moved into winter warfare training, focusing on tactics and procedures required to protect air assets and infrastructure in mountainous and snow-covered terrain.
“The competencies gained here – survival, mobility and protection – are vital contributions to collective defence and to our wider NATO commitments.” said Warrant Officer Cashmore.
how about they train in the Med and learn how to protect RAF bases with no Air Defence equipment? Who clever idea was it to gap the RAF’s own GBAD.
Labour, in 2004 I recall.
GBAD wasn’t needed against rebels in the desert, so was cut along with so mych else.
The RAF Regiment do defend RAF bases with no GBAD, that is their role – Force Protection.
But yes, if they’re given GBAD back they’ll need expanding as the FP role won’t suddenly go away.
Its a big gap, but we do have a lot them over the past 25 years with no end in sight. The RAF Regts role as force protection is there for out dated and no one any where likes to admit it, An RAF base with no GBAD none at all , whos great idea was that. More of cut save money hope we do not need train of thought. Yes CDS etc of the let this happen, strange not one high ranker has ever been held to account abot the last 30 years under thier watch.