US to participate in Nato-led military exercise Trident Juncture 18

US Marines during Trident Juncture 18 at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland. Credit: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Menelik Collins/Defense.gov.

The US Military will participate in the Nato-led multi-lateral joint forces exercise Trident Juncture 18, which will be held in Norway between 25 October and 23 November.

The marines will form the largest US service element, along with assets from the navy, army and airforce.

Approximately 90 US Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland to mark the initial phase of the military exercise.

The US Marines along with MV-22 Osprey and CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters from USS Iwo Jima practised securing the airfield and key infrastructure in cooperation with the Icelandic Police.

The US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft has also been deployed to take part in the exercise.

Designed to effectively respond to regional crises and improve interoperability, Trident Juncture 18 will allow US Armed Forces to train with Nato allies and partners while boosting transatlantic ties.

The objective of the exercise is to ensure that Nato forces are trained, able to plan and operate collectively, and ready to respond to any threat from any direction.

More than 40,000 troops, 150 aircraft, 70 ships and 10,000 vehicles from 31 nations will take part in Trident Juncture 18, which is the largest Nato exercise since 2015.

The main phase of the Trident Juncture 18 will begin in Norway and parts of the exercise will be conducted in Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.