The UK Royal Marines commandos have received a new Arctic operation base, called Camp Viking, in northern Norway.
Announced by the UK Royal Navy (RN), the new base will allow commandos to support the country’s security mission in the High North, a key theatre of operations for the UK, over the next decade.
Camp Viking is located around 40 miles south of Tromsø, in the village of Øverbygd.
This is a strategic location for UK commandos, as it is adjacent to a Norwegian Armed Forces base as well as close to a pre-established air base at Bardufoss that supports operations of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF).
Furthermore, this location will also allow the deployed forces to rapidly counter various threats in the region and for safeguarding Nato’s northern flank in Norway if required.
The purpose-built camp can easily accommodate all the personnel assigned under the UK Littoral Response Group (LRG), led by Royal Marines commando to deter crises in Europe.
The RN has already deployed 1,000 commandos to Camp Viking this winter to perform drills with Joint Expeditionary Force and NATO allied nations.
Winter Deployment officer commanding major Kirk Allen said: “As the UK Commando Forces’ ‘home’ in the High North for the next decade, ‘Camp Viking’ is the focal point for delivery of Mountain and Cold Weather Warfare training and, strategically placed as a Forward Operating Base to support NATO operations.
“Its use supports LRG regional persistent engagement with key allies and partners as a collective conventional deterrent to adversaries.
“Capable of logistically sustaining an LRG of Royal Marines, sailors and soldiers, the location has great local training areas, is close to Sorreisa port for amphibious operations and can support personnel, vehicles and equipment with its first-class facilities.”
