The US and Norway have completed military training to transport ground troops and vehicles using a deployable tactical bridge in Bjerkvik.
The drills were part of a joint strategy to aid warfighters in moving across waterways and changing fields during missions.
During the simulation, a medium girder bridge was constructed without equipment, with the largest part carried with a four-man lift.
The training was led by the US Navy’s 21st Theater Sustainment Command, which oversees the rapid deployment of forces and equipment throughout Europe.
Participants included personnel from the Gulfport-based US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 “Seabees” who manage expeditionary missions, battle damage, and base engineering.
Other groups included the US Army 3rd Brigade Combat Team – 10th Mountain Division and Norwegian counterparts.
Cooperation in Arctic Conditions
Ahead of the bridge construction, the teams scanned for solid ground across the Bjerkvik site while facing 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 kilometers) per hour winds and snow.
The American-Norwegian convoy, which included various vehicles, passed through the capability safely following construction.
The US Navy wrote that the training saw the Seabees accomplish a “reception, stating, and onward” approach critical to theater operations and logistics.
The entire process took approximately 12 hours, relatively fast under the conditions they encountered.
“The biggest difference in building this bridge is the arctic conditions,” Seabees Bridge Master Petty Officer 1st Class Melissa DeSalvo explained.
“In Gulfport you have a lot of humidity which is a lot of heat slowing down the bridge building process, but out here you also have to take breaks to warm back up.”
“Similar in slowing the process down, but just a completely different obstacle because you can at least see the ground during construction of the bridge in a warmer environment.”
“The ice and snow made that task tremendously difficult, but the Norwegians assisted us and there was a lot of cross training involved.”
Forging Bonds
According to the US Navy, the collaboration in Bjerkvik confirmed the joint capabilities of NATO warfighters in “crossing linear danger areas.”
The activity served as a reminder of the advantages of the theater when the alliance “comes together in defense of its territories,” the agency added.
“I’m the most proud of this crew,” DeSalvo remarked. “They came out here and overcame a lot of obstacles in an inexperienced climate and knocked it out of the park.”
“This proves as a major benefit for mobility when it comes to the Army and our allies. When you come to an impasse and you need an alternate route, we can establish a bridge quickly, which allows you to get to where you need to go a little faster.”