Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Norwegian Minister of Defense Odd Enoksen sign a roadmap to deepen cooperation between U.S. and Norwegian Special Operations Forces, in a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON – PENTAGON – Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Norwegian Defense Minister Odd Roger Enoksen for meetings at the Pentagon Tuesday where they discussed High North strategy and dealing with Russia. Norway has expressed concerns over what it sees as increased Russian military activity in the High North region. Norway is one of the founding members of NATO. Norway plays a strategic role in Arctic security. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska, Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Earlier this year, the U.S. deployed long-range B-1 bombers to Norway to train in the strategically important High North.
“Norway is one of our most valued and forward-leaning allies. Our defense relationship is based on our shared values and our common commitment to NATO, which we see as the essential forum for consultation, decision-making and action on transatlantic security issues.”
-U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Norwegian Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen to render honors during each respective countries national anthems prior to a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 2021
©DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO / U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Norwegian Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen to render honors during each respective countries national anthems prior to a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 2021
©DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO / U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Norwegian Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen to render honors during each respective countries national anthems prior to a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 2021
Russia Has Placed Missile Systems on Ice Breakers in Arctic: Pentagon
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Norwegian Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen to render honors during each respective countries national anthems prior to a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 2021
The U.S. Department of Defense said climate change makes the Arctic region more accessible, and Russia, with its long Arctic coastline, is aggressively moving into the area. Russia has placed missile systems on ice breakers.
“In a sense, Norway is the alliance’s eyes and ears in the High North,” Austin said. Norway hosted NATO’s Exercise Trident Juncture in 2018. The exercise featured ground, naval and air operations north of the Arctic Circle.
“The U.S. is Norway’s most important ally,” Norwegian Minister Of Defense Enoksen said.
“We are concerned about Russia’s military capabilities in our neighborhood,” Defense Minister Enoksen said. “We welcome the increased interests and activities in the High North from the U.S. and other allies. The U.S. is Norway’s most important ally. We do not take you for granted. I look forward to developing the relationship even further. I’m also looking forward to discussing how we can work closer together towards the NATO summit next summer.” The Norway foreign minister added: “We’re also grateful to you for hosting rotational deployments of U.S. troops for training and exercising in Arctic conditions, as well as for the prepositioned equipment that you’ve hosted for many years.”
NORWAY Is Crucial NATO Front-line State Amid RUSSIA Activity in Arctic
Territory (pink) ceded by Russia to Norway in 1826 (Wikipedia Commons)
Norway’s role in NATO has become crucial as Russia makes worrisome military moves in the northern polar region and the U.S. looks to the Nordic nation for help in countering Moscow activities there. The Russian border region is known as the Kola Peninsula. The naval base there, in the city of Severomorsk, is the headquarters of the Russian Northern Fleet
Russian Northern Fleet / Russia Navy in the Arctic
(Map of en:Russian Northern Fleet bases / Wikipedia Commons)
The Northern Fleet is the fleet of the Russian Navy in the Arctic. Russia has been amassing a large military buildup in the Arctic region.
