RAF Reservists from 2622 Highland Squadron have spent the last week battling the elements in Norway on extreme cold weather training.
Exercise Wintermarch 15 (WM15) was carried out jointly with the Norwegian Reserve Officers Federation to help the RAF servicemen develop the necessary skills to operate under any conditions in any climate.
The vigorous training took place near the town of Rjukan in Norway’s remote Hardangervidda region, an area made famous by the film Heroes of Telemark — which depicted the attack on a heavy water factory that was crucial to the Nazi’s ambitions to build an atom bomb.
Senior Aircraftman Sean Keenan, from Elgin, is an electronics engineer in his civilian life and has been looking forward to the exercise since he found out he had been given a place.
The 23-year-old said: “For what we do in the RAF Regiment, being able to come to Norway and learn skills that could help us on future operations in cold weather environments was invaluable.
“On top of that, we got to work alongside other squadrons with other trades and learn from them about the wider air force, all in a beautiful country.”
There were 15 air force squadrons from around the UK involved in the exercise, representing a variety of trades including intelligence, force protection, supply, logistics, helicopter support and medics.
After being introduced to standard Nato military issue skiing kit, they learned to cross-country ski, whilst also receiving lessons in mountain and avalanche awareness, rescue, first aid and personal care under extreme cold weather conditions.
Squadron Leader Paul Chegwidden was the project officer for WM15 and in charge of running the event.
He said: “Exercise Wintermarch provided the chance for more arduous conditions for our personnel who are encouraged to challenge themselves beyond their normal capabilities. It also contributed to the RAF’s aims to engage with reservists offering the best training possible.”
“From the individuals point of view, it gave them the opportunity to do things that they wouldn’t do in their civilian life.
“They acquired new skills, made new friends, and it provided an idea of the bigger picture of what the RAF Reserves are all about.”
The RAF has been working with its Norwegian counterparts for over 20 years to develop training exercises.