The United States Army
03/05/2026 | News release | Archived content
Minnesota Guard strengthens partnership, trains in Norway’s arctic environment
[Link] 1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption - After spending three nights at base camps near Haltdalen, Norway, members of NOREX 53 complete the ski march up the mountain on Feb. 9, 2026. Over the previous 4 days, members of the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange adjusted from surviving to thriving while living in an Arctic environment. NOREX began in 1973 and remains the longest-running military exchange between the United States and a foreign nation. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Megan Shaner) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Minnesota National Guardsmen set up base camp #3 after completing the ski march up the mountain near Haltdalen, Norway, Feb. 9, 2026. These tents will not be used for sleeping tonight; they are being established in case emergency shelter is needed. Over the previous 4 days, members of the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange adjusted from surviving to thriving while living in an Arctic environment. NOREX began in 1973 and remains the longest-running military exchange between the United States and a foreign nation. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Megan Shaner) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A Minnesota National Guardsman jumps into a lake during the Field Training Exercise, near Haltdalen, Norway, Feb. 10, 2026. During the bone-chilling polar plunge, members were required to turn around the hole, make contact with the ice with their ski poles, and regain their breath before asking permission to leave the water and pull themselves out of the hole using their ski poles. Service members are part of the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX). NOREX began in 1973 and remains the longest-running military exchange between the United States and a foreign nation. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Megan Shaner) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A Minnesota National Guardsman surfaces from the water during the Field Training Exercise, near Haltdalen, Norway, Feb. 10, 2026. During the bone-chilling polar plunge, members were required to turn around the hole, make contact with the ice with their ski poles, and regain their breath before asking permission to leave the water and pull themselves out of the hole using their ski poles. Service members are part of the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX). NOREX began in 1973 and remains the longest-running military exchange between the United States and a foreign nation. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Megan Shaner) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption - At daybreak, a Norwegian BV-206 arrives at the mountain peak, carrying equipment for the platoons who will be spending the day digging snow shelters near Haltdalen, Norway, Feb. 9, 2026. NOREX began in 1973 and remains the longest-running military exchange between the United States and a foreign nation. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Megan Shaner) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Minnesota National Guardsmen dig snow shelters during the Field Training Exercise, near Haltdalen, Norway, Feb. 9, 2026. After arriving at the mountain peak, the U.S. contingent first took a tour of a demonstration cave dug by Norwegian instructors, then headed to their platoon's area to begin the dig. Service members are part of the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX). NOREX began in 1973 and remains the longest-running military exchange between the United States and a foreign nation. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Megan Shaner) VIEW ORIGINAL
TRØNDELAG, NORWAY- One hundred Soldiers and Airmen from the Minnesota National Guard traveled to Norway for the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) from Feb. 4-18. The annual exchange, the longest-running of its kind in the Department of War, strengthens the State Partnership Program through rigorous cold-weather training alongside the Norwegian Home Guard (HV).
This year's exchange was led by U.S. Army Maj. Zachery Hendrickson and Command Sgt. Maj. Christian Hudson, alongside their counterpart from the Norwegian Home Guard, Maj. Carl Einar Brønn. The training included an extended field exercise (FTX) and a new advanced winter warfare course designed to push participants' capabilities.
"This year's exchange presents a unique and exciting enhanced training opportunity for our Soldiers and Airmen to train and operate alongside our Norwegian Home Guard HV-12 counterparts, beyond the traditional FTX," said Hendrickson, the NOREX Away Team Officer in Charge. "The enhanced training provided by the Norwegian HV-12 Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) provided realistic and tactical training that was born from front-line experience."
For many participants, the motivation to endure the challenging Norwegian winter was deeply personal, stemming from family heritage and recent operational experience.
"NOREX was really important to me because I have family that came from Norway, and I also did NOREX at Camp Ripley in 2024," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Fritjof Engebretson. "I have some good Norwegian friends that I still stay in contact with from NOREX 2024, and I wanted to get out here and experience what these guys get to do."
That sentiment was echoed by others, such as U.S. Army Sgt. Samuel Ochocki, who was inspired to join the exchange after working closely with Norwegian forces on a recent deployment. These prior connections underscore the real-world relevance of the enduring partnership.
The intensive training began immediately. After a briefing on arctic expedition survival from Norwegian 1st Sgt. Bengt Rotmo, the troops embarked on a six-day FTX in Haltdalen. They mastered skills from skiing and avalanche rescue to building their own snow caves for shelter.
Amidst the training, nine Minnesota National Guard members chose to reenlist during a ceremony on the mountain. For U.S. Army Sgt. Lucas Fisher, one of the reenlisting Soldiers, the decision was about the team. "It's bigger than just a job," said Fisher. "You matter to a team, and people depend on you."
Following the FTX, a new "Enhanced Winter Warfare Training" course held Feb. 13-15 integrated U.S. and Norwegian personnel into combined squads for platoon-level offensive and defensive scenarios. The training was designed to test leaders and build foundational skills under pressure.
"This training is designed to stretch you," said Brønn, Commander of HV-12 RRF Rype. "It is important to train leaders, and leaders get training when they lead troops. We can't just go right into trench warfare; we have to progress gradually to build the right foundation."
A powerful example of this realistic training philosophy occurred during a specialized cold-weather injury exercise for U.S. and Norwegian medics. In a remarkable display of dedication, a Norwegian Home Guard medic instructor voluntarily induced hypothermia in himself to provide a live-training scenario. This allowed the combined medical teams to gain invaluable hands-on experience treating a real casualty in a field hospital and to share critical best practices in a high-stakes environment.
The exchange concluded with cultural tours and a farewell banquet, reinforcing the personal bonds that have been the bedrock of this 53-year-old alliance. The Minnesota contingent returned home on Feb. 18, bringing back advanced skills and the strengthened camaraderie that defines NOREX.
"I'm proud of our Soldiers and Airmen," said Hendrickson. "I'm proud of their resilience, courage, and professionalism over the course of NOREX53. This year they had opportunities that no other American contingent has had, and they excelled."
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