U.S. Navy Demonstrates Expeditionary Warfare, Allied Integration During Northern Viking 2026

U.S. Navy Expeditionary Forces assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe/Africa are demonstrating the ability to establish, sustain, and project combat power across the North Atlantic and High North during exercise Northern Viking 2026 (NV26).

NV26 is a Joint and Allied live exercise (LIVEX) from Aug. 22 to Sept. 3, 2026. The exercise strengthens interoperability and forges readiness between Iceland and participating NATO Allies. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, Poland, and the United States, alongside specialized assets and personnel from Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk.

Participating expeditionary forces include Commander, Task Group (CTG) 68.1, consisting of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit EIGHT (EODMU 8) and Commander, Task Group (CTG) 68.2, consisting of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (22 NCR).

CTF 68 forces operating across Iceland and Norway are contributing expeditionary capabilities to include construction, advanced naval basing, airfield damage repair, bathymetric surveys, salvage operations, explosive ordnance disposal and integration with special operations forces (SOF). CTF 68 also established a forward-deployed command and control center that enables mission command and synchronization of distributed operations across the High North.

“Northern Viking demonstrates our commitment to Iceland along with our Joint and NATO Allies,” said Capt. Leslie Slootmaker, commander of CTF 68. “We have an opportunity to demonstrate how our expeditionary forces enable access, how we establish operating locations, and how we can integrate with our NATO partners and Allies. Our forces that are operating across Iceland and Norway bring specialized capabilities that help to enhance interoperability.”

Project Combat Power

22NCR is operating across Iceland and Norway to establish and sustain infrastructure for military operations. In Iceland, they are conducting construction, advanced naval basing and airfield damage repair to demonstrate the ability to rapidly establish and restore operating locations in austere environments.

“Combat power depends on access and sustainment,” said Lt. Arthur Hines, current operations officer of 22 NCR. “Our Seabees provide commanders options to establish, restore and sustain critical infrastructure to enable follow-on forces.”

In Norway, Underwater Construction Team (UCT) One, Construction Dive Detachment Charlie (CDD/C), is conducting bathymetric surveys and salvage operations from Ramsund. The team is helping to assist in the removal of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning units in Breivika Bay. These operations are essential to maintain maritime infrastructure and support joint military readiness.

Integrating With Special Operations Forces and Allies

U.S. forces, Allies and partners train together to demonstrate their ability to seamlessly operate together while responding to real world challenges.

EODMU 8 is integrating with special operations forces and Allies through counter-improvised explosive devices (IED) and unexploded ordnance training. Events include assault full mission profiles, Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations and a time-sensitive target direct-action raid.

“Interoperability has to extend to the tactical level,” said Lt. Caleb Williams, officer in charge of EODMU 8. “When Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians operate with special operations forces and Allies in complex missions, we build trust and proficiency for higher-risk operations.”

Strategic Geography and Allied Integration

NV26 marks a milestone with the biennial exercising marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Bilateral Defense Agreement between Iceland and the United States. NV26 enhances the ability to command and control Joint and Allied forces in the defense of Iceland and the strategic lines of communication in the Greenland, Iceland, and United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.

U.S. and Allied forces train in these complex environments to remain ready, lethal and postured. NV26 improves our collective defense and maintains operational readiness to be prepared for any mission, anytime.

“Operating alongside our Allies builds trust and familiarity that cannot be replaced or replicated elsewhere,” said CDR.s.g. Marvin Ingolfsson, Keflavik Deputy Base Commander/Deputy director of defense division, Northern Viking 2026 Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for Iceland. CTF 68’s diverse combat capabilities show how expeditionary forces enable access and establish presence across the region. Construction, maritime, EOD and SOF-integrated capabilities are synchronized through forward-deployed command and control elements.

“Every single capability makes an impact on the mission,” said Slootmaker. “Northern Viking allows us to operate in a dynamic and challenging environment to build tactical proficiency while working alongside our Allies. Every Sailor that is executing the mission makes these capabilities stronger. With our Allies, we will strengthen deterrence, maintain readiness and defend our shared interests.”

CTF 68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, is a part of the U.S. 6th Fleet and commands all Naval Expeditionary Combat Forces in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces bridge the gap from sea to shore and provide expeditionary capabilities in remote, complex and austere environments.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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