The Royal Air Force, Royal Marines and aircraft from the Chinook Force have deployed under direction from Joint Aviation Command (JAC) to Bardufoss, Northern Norway, as part of Operation CLOCKWORK, for the 57th year of Operation Clockwork, an extreme cold-weather training. The operation pushes pilots, observers, and engineers to their limits in harsh winter conditions.  This intensive preparation leads directly into Exercise Cold Response, the largest military exercise in Norway this year, proving NATO’s ability to deter threats in the Arctic

Operating more than 200 nautical miles inside the Arctic Circle, the deployment will see Chinook crews and engineers training in a demanding cold weather environment alongside NATO colleagues from the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

Operation CLOCKWORK ensures JAC force elements, who are held at high readiness, remain fully capable of operating and fighting in extreme cold conditions. On the ground, the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) plays a pivotal role, providing specialist expertise in the safe loading and unloading of underslung loads from the Chinook in challenging Arctic conditions.

The Chinook Force will remain deployed for the next month, sharpening skills and strengthening international cooperation in one of the world’s most demanding environments.