20.02.2026 21:31
Lieutenant Colonel Espen Solemdal from the Norwegian Armed Forces announced that the United States has withdrawn F-35 jets from the NATO exercise to be held in Norway. Solemdal noted that the absence of U.S. jets would affect the air component of the exercise, stating that the U.S. is in its own competition.
Norway announced that the United States has withdrawn its fighter jets from a comprehensive NATO exercise planned for March in the northern parts of the country.
Colonel Espen Solemdal from the Norwegian Armed Forces stated in a press release that the U.S. F-35 jets would not participate in the NATO exercise regarding Arctic security in Norway.
"THE U.S. HAS WITHDRAWN ITS AIRCRAFT FROM THE EXERCISE"
Solemdal noted that this decision means that 100 to 150 U.S. soldiers will not be coming to Norway, saying, "They will go to other places in the world."
Solemdal mentioned that the absence of U.S. jets would affect the air component of the exercise, assessing that the U.S. is in its own competition.
IS IT A SIGNAL OF ATTACK?
Norwegian media recalled that the U.S. withdrew its fighter jets from the exercise due to tensions with Iran, noting that a similar situation occurred in June 2025, after which the U.S. withdrew from many international agreements.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Armed Forces stated that the exercise named "Cold Response," scheduled for March 2026 with the participation of 14 NATO countries, will be one of the largest military trainings conducted in Norway.