Norwegian and Finnish soldiers train together in Lapland this week

This week the military exercise RYSKE will occur in the forests of Finnish Inari municipality, more specifically in the Kaamanen-Näätämö area.

Näätämö is located only two kilometres from the Finnish-Norwegian border in the north-east. 

The road between Kaamanen and Näätämö is used when driving from the direction of Inari towards Kirkenes.

Participants from the Finnish Jaeger Brigade’s readiness unit and Norwegian Armed Forces convened for the exercise, resulting in a total strength of approximately 250 personnel and 25 vehicles.

The Kaamanen-Näätämö road crosses the Norwegian border in the north-east, and leads to Kirkenes.

The biannual exercise aims to measure the skills and readiness of conscripts and service personnel.

“RYSKE stands for the first more demanding exercise during the readiness phase of the readiness unit. This exercise will develop the unit’s capability for operating in terrain that differs from the usual. The Finnish Defence Forces, and the readiness unit in particular, must be capable of operating across the extensive regional area of Lapland”, says Colonel Ari Mure who is the Exercise Director and Deputy Commander of the Jaeger Brigade.

The exercise started on Monday, July 22, and ends on Friday, July 26.