Reservists return from largest Arctic exercise in 30 years

Royal Navy Reservists are on their way back from serving in the High North region off the coast of Norway for Exercise Cold Response 22. The largest NATO exercise for 30 years it brought together over 30,000 troops and 25 ships from 11 nations.

Embarked in HMS Prince of Wales for the exercise were nine Reservists with a wide range of skills, who are all working as part of the Commander UK Strike Force embarked in HMS Prince of Wales, responsible for leading NATO’s High Readiness Maritime Force Flagship.

The Reservists are specialists in Submarine Ops, Air Operations, Maritime Intelligence, Maritime Trade Operations and Media Operations.

Lt Cdr Paul Ladislaus from HMS Calliope is a Maritime Trade Operations specialist and a Chartered Chemical Engineer in civilian life. His role during Exercise Cold Response is to provide advice on how to minimise and manage how military operations would affect civilian shipping and the wider maritime industry. He has been working alongside his NATO colleagues from a wide range of countries.

Paul said: “I’ve had a unique and rewarding experience working in the high north, alongside my NATO counterparts. I really enjoy my time up here, working with a very diverse, capable and motivated multinational team. It’s been a great learning experience and I also appreciate the hospitality shown to us by the ship’s company.”

At the start of the Exercise the TGs gathered together for a photo off the coast of Norway.

Exercise Cold Response, is a bi-annual exercise and is a month-long test of allied forces, operating together.

NATO’s Maritime High Readiness Force is an International Task Group formed to deal with major global events – and deploys for the first time in that role to Cold Response.

CR22 is a Norwegian lead exercise to train, rehearse and validate NATO and bi-lateral plans for the reinforcement of Norway and the High North. Interoperability with our closest Allies and partners in the region is essential for the NATO alliance.

I’ve had a unique and rewarding experience working in the high north, alongside my NATO counterparts. I really enjoy my time up here, working with a very diverse, capable and motivated multinational team. It’s been a great learning experience and I also appreciate the hospitality shown to us by the ship’s company.