CR22 ~ Dutch Korps Mariniers Come Ashore In Norway

After being brought ashore by Landing Craft Utility (LCU) in a Nowegian fjord the Dutch BvS10 Viking armoured over-snow all-terrain vehicles move out from the beachhead [© Carl Schulze]

The 2nd Marine Combat Group of the Dutch Korps Mariniers today conducted an amphibious landing at Gottersjorda in Norway, reports Carl Schulze.

Sunday 27 March 2022, Sørreisa, Norway: Today the 2nd Marine Combat Group of the Korps Mariniers of the Koninklijke Marine conducted an amphibious landing at Gottersjorda, in the vicinity of Sørreisa. In doing so, the unit entered the tactical phase of Exercise COLD RESPONSE 2022.

Throughout the day further Dutch forces were brought ashore ~ here Bv206 over-snow all-terrain vehicles can be seen leaving an LCU [© Carl Schulze]

What in the first morning light had looked like large grey shadows are in fact the Dutch Landing Platform Dock (LPD) HNLMS Rotterdam and the French Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Dixmude, that have entered the Reisafjord. Between the two ships and the shoreline in the vicinity of Gottersjorda, Dutch Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP) and Landing Craft Utility (LCU) can be seen moving back and forth at high speed.

The mortar platoon of the 2nd Marine Combat Group, equipped with 81mm L16A2 mortars mounted on Bv206 over-snow all-terrain vehicles conducts a fire mission [© Carl Schulze]

The craft are crammed with vehicles and personnel and put ashore elements of the 2nd Marine Combat Group. Once ashore, Dutch Marines and their BvS10 Viking armoured over-snow all-terrain vehicles quickly depart from the beachhead and move out to establish a wide security perimeter so that additional forces can be brought in safely. With the perimeter in place the first troops of the Dutch elite naval infantry then soon deploy into the heart of Sørreisa, securing a vital bridge over the Reisvatnet river.

A Dutch BvS10 Viking armoured over-snow all-terrain vehicle provides security for the beachhead
[© Carl Schulze]

In the meantime further Dutch forces have been brought ashore, including a mortar platoon equipped with 81mm L16A2 mortars mounted on Bv206 over-snow all-terrain vehicles. With this asset, the elements of the 2nd Marine Combat Group who have come now feature their own integral indirect fire element.

Soon after the first elements of the 2nd Marine Combat Group came ashore some deployed right into the centre of Sørreisa in order to secure a important bridge [© Carl Schulze]

For the duration of the exercise the Dutch unit is assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) of the USMC and therefore belongs to the South Forces. With the amphibious landing in the vicinity of Sørreisa, the South Force is now threatening the right flank of the North Force.

To be continued…