Visited Joint Viking

The aim of the joint exercise is to enhance Allied interoperability, to train on protecting NATO's northern flank and to test Norway's ability to receive Allied reinforcements.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra's team

At Setermoen military camp in Troms, the Crown Prince visited with soldiers from the Engineer Battalion and was shown a bridge layer vehicle, an armoured engineer vehicle, and a Combat Vehicle 90. A demonstration of the CV 90 was given by Princess Ingrid Alexandra and her team. The team members explained their role in the exercise and gave the Crown Prince a tour.  

During his visit with the Engineer Battalion, Crown Prince Haakon met Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s team. The members of the team explained the roles they are playing in the Joint Viking exercise. Photo: Ole-Sverre Haugli / Norwegian Armed Forces

Princess Ingrid Alexandra began her recruit training at Skjold military camp in January 2024, before continuing her service with the Engineer Battalion.

The main mission of the Engineer Battalion during Joint Viking 2025 is to support Brigade North's manoeuvre units with mobility and anti-mobility support, and to facilitate the survival of Allied forces on the battlefield.

Crown Prince Haakon visiting the Joint Viking 2025 winter military exercise. Photo: Ole-Sverre Haugli / Norwegian Armed Forces

Met Allied soldiers

During his visit to Joint Viking, the Crown Prince also met with soldiers from the US and UK.

A total of 10,000 soldiers from nine countries are participating in the exercise. In addition to Norway, participants come from Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the US. NATO is the cornerstone of Norway’s security and defence. Allied soldiers must train to operate with Norwegian forces in winter conditions.

The Crown Prince meets with US soldiers participating in the exercise. Photo: US Army, photo by Spc. Sar Paw

Every other year

The Crown Prince also paid a visit to the GREBE operational unit and a field hospital under the Medical Battalion, and had the chance to talk with the avalanche group under the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The winter military exercise Joint Viking is held in Norway every other year to train Norwegian and Allied soldiers to defend the country. In 2025, the exercise is being held from 3–14 March. Allied training has also been carried out elsewhere in Norway in the lead-up to the exercise. Joint Viking is the largest military exercise to be held in Norway this year.