Mail From Home Means So Much To Marines In Snow Country

I made a public television special in 1986 on the United States Marines doing cold-weather exercises in North Norway. This is a clip from that documentary. To see the full film, go here -    • Experience The Marines Training Above...  .

The United States Marines along with NATO allies, participated in cold-weather training exercises in Northern Norway, particularly near the Arctic Circle. These maneuvers were designed to enhance military readiness in extreme conditions and to reinforce the U.S. commitment to NATO and European security. The training in Norway was described as cold-weather or winter warfare training exercises.

The exercises were necessity for ensuring readiness for any potential conflicts that may arise in such climates. This included learning how to survive, move, and fight in extreme cold and snowy conditions. The training covers a wide range of military operations, from basic survival skills to complex combat maneuvers.

Marines learned essential survival skills, including building snow shelters, recognizing and treating cold-weather injuries like frostbite and hypothermia, and understanding how to maintain body heat and energy in extreme cold.

This involved learning how to move effectively through deep snow and over icy terrain, using specialized equipment such as skis, snowshoes, and sleds. The training also covered the operation of vehicles and equipment that were specifically designed for cold-weather environments.

Marines practiced combat tactics that were adapted for cold-weather conditions. This included live-fire exercises, navigation training, and the use of camouflage in snowy environments. The exercises were designed to improve coordination and effectiveness in conducting military operations against adversaries under challenging conditions.

There was a focus on the use and maintenance of weapons, tents, and other gear that were designed for cold-weather operations. Marines were trained to ensure that equipment functioned properly in low temperatures and snowy conditions.

The exercises involved cooperation with military forces from Norway and other NATO allies, enhancing interoperability and strengthening partnerships. These joint exercises simulated real-world scenarios and missions, fostering a collaborative approach to security and defense in the Arctic region.

I made five hour-long documentaries on the various military services of the United States back then. If you search the word “military” on my YouTube channel, you will find clips from those documentaries.

I want to thank the platoon of Marines that took care of us during the shoot which was so physically difficult for us carrying our film equipment. There were many times where I could go on no longer in a Marine picked up my camera and gear and carried it up the hill in the snow for me.

If you found this clip of interest, please support my effort to present more of these by clicking the Thanks button below the video screen.
David Hoffman filmmaker