Cold Response: "Bad Bevensen" returns from major manoeuvre in the Arctic Circle

On Saturday, 9 April 2022 at 10 a.m., the minehunting boat "Bad Bevensen" arrived in its home port of Kiel.

The boat, which is part of the 3rd Minesweeper Squadron, took part in the multinational Cold Response exercise, where around 30,000 soldiers from 27 nations with 50 ships and boats as well as 200 aircraft practised the defence and military reinforcement of Norway until the beginning of April. The exercise has been held regularly every two years since 2006. There is no connection with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

The German Navy was on site with several hundred men and women. Norway's neighbouring countries Sweden and Finland also took part in the manoeuvre. Although they are not NATO members, they have been cooperating intensively with the Alliance for years.

Cold Response is a Norwegian exercise focussing on the defence of the alliance's northern flank. A long coastline and arctic weather conditions pose a challenge for the soldiers.
special challenges. This year's exercise focussed on bringing NATO military reinforcements to Norway. To this end, maritime operations such as amphibious landings of troops and material were practised.

The 40-strong crew of the "Bad Bevensen", led by Corvette Captain Christopher Fenske (37), was able to demonstrate its operational readiness in the difficult Arctic conditions of northern Norway.