USMC AV-8Bs and more in Norway Ex Cold Response 22

[mikee115]

Morning all,

Instead of heading to the warmth of Greece for exercise Iniochos this year I decided to take a risk and head to the Arctic Circle to capture the aircraft involved in Exercise Cold Response 22. This was going to be a challenge with the exercise covering the majority of Norway through the various stages of CR22. With stunning scenery around every corner, temperatures down to -14c and roads covered in snow and ice it made for an interesting trip travelling from Bodo to Bardufoss. An extra challenge was avoiding the various tanks and other military vehicles as we drove through the exercise area.

First it was a few days at Bodo where the US Marine Corps VMA-223 'Bulldogs' AV-8B Harriers, VMFA-312 'Checkerboards' F/A-18s Hornets and VMM-261 'Raging Bulls' MV-22 Ospreys were based for the duration of the exercise. Great to hear that distinctive sound from the Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine again.

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (7) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (4) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (2) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (1) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (6) by Mike, on Flickr

Some challenging weather when a pair of AV-8Bs arrived back during a snow flurry.

USMC AV-8B snow touchdown Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo by Mike, on Flickr

USMC F-18D Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (9) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC F-18C Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (11) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC MV-22 Osprey Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (5) by Mike, on Flickr

After a 6hr drive over mountains, through tunnels, on a ferry and avoiding large amounts of armour on and at the side of the road we arrived at Bardufoss. It was time to see what we could photograph at this large Arctic base. It was good to see some USMC helicopters flying through the snow covered mountains and fantastic sight to see two low flybys by a Royal Norwegian Air Force P-3.

Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss Airport (8) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y and AH1-Z Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (2) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y and AH1-Z Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (1) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC CH-53 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (7) by Mike, on Flickr

Swedish Air Force C-130H Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (6) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret P-3 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (4) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret P-3 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (3) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret P-3 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (2) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (3) by Mike, on Flickr

Armour Exercise Cold Response 22 (3) by Mike, on Flickr

We travelled back to Bodo for our flight back to the UK and managed to catch a few more helicopter movements before leaving. Great to see a 330 Skv Seaking before the type is retired.

Forsvaret Seaking Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (6) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret NH90 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (4) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (3) by Mike, on Flickr

Thanks for looking. All C & C welcome.

Full article about the exercise coming soon to Spotter Magazine.

Mike

[daggerfan]

Wonderful subjects and stunning scenery well photographed! That head-on P-3 shot is a beauty. Thanks for posting.

[Hunter49]

Great line up dont see this in uk, Rob

[Mustang531]

Thanks for sharing these, some excellent shots there and subject matter we rarely see. I hope you've thawed out now!

[Seahawk 11]

Wow, just a great set of photos there, many thanks for sharing these,

Rob

[Agent K]

Wow! what a spectacular set of photos! thanks for sharing

[Sparts99]

Great shots, especially the Harrier ones and uplit Hercules.

[downes0106]

Stunning images

[Blue fox]

Fantastic set and stunning location, thanks for sharing.

[bvdbogaert]

Fantastic set, great atmosphere. And the weather obviously was about as good as in Greece

[paddyboy]

What a stunning set of shots there

Well done and thanks for posting, Mike

Paddyboy

[matt e]

Nice shot especially the MV22 and P3 head on shots

[mikee115]

Evening all,

Thanks for all the great comments. It was an amazing trip.

Mike

[Punkrunner62]

Fantastic set of images among some majestic landscapes that really add to the effect, thanks for sharing with us and making us all green with envy!.
Cheers.

[Knightsy14]

What an incredible set of images, i write this sitting in Oslo airport after a day drop civvie spotting and can agree that the scenery is stunning!

[wm._.2photography]

Morning all,

Instead of heading to the warmth of Greece for exercise Iniochos this year I decided to take a risk and head to the Arctic Circle to capture the aircraft involved in Exercise Cold Response 22. This was going to be a challenge with the exercise covering the majority of Norway through the various stages of CR22. With stunning scenery around every corner, temperatures down to -14c and roads covered in snow and ice it made for an interesting trip travelling from Bodo to Bardufoss. An extra challenge was avoiding the various tanks and other military vehicles as we drove through the exercise area.

First it was a few days at Bodo where the US Marine Corps VMA-223 'Bulldogs' AV-8B Harriers, VMFA-312 'Checkerboards' F/A-18s Hornets and VMM-261 'Raging Bulls' MV-22 Ospreys were based for the duration of the exercise. Great to hear that distinctive sound from the Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine again.

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (7) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (4) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (2) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (1) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC AV-8B Harrier Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (6) by Mike, on Flickr

Some challenging weather when a pair of AV-8Bs arrived back during a snow flurry.

USMC AV-8B snow touchdown Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo by Mike, on Flickr

USMC F-18D Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (9) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC F-18C Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (11) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC MV-22 Osprey Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (5) by Mike, on Flickr

After a 6hr drive over mountains, through tunnels, on a ferry and avoiding large amounts of armour on and at the side of the road we arrived at Bardufoss. It was time to see what we could photograph at this large Arctic base. It was good to see some USMC helicopters flying through the snow covered mountains and fantastic sight to see two low flybys by a Royal Norwegian Air Force P-3.

Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss Airport (8) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y and AH1-Z Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (2) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y and AH1-Z Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (1) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC CH-53 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (7) by Mike, on Flickr

Swedish Air Force C-130H Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (6) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret P-3 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (4) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret P-3 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (3) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret P-3 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (2) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y Exercise Cold Response 22 Bardufoss (3) by Mike, on Flickr

Armour Exercise Cold Response 22 (3) by Mike, on Flickr

We travelled back to Bodo for our flight back to the UK and managed to catch a few more helicopter movements before leaving. Great to see a 330 Skv Seaking before the type is retired.

Forsvaret Seaking Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (6) by Mike, on Flickr

Forsvaret NH90 Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (4) by Mike, on Flickr

USMC UH-1Y Exercise Cold Response 22 Bodo (3) by Mike, on Flickr

Thanks for looking. All C & C welcome.

Full article about the exercise coming soon to Spotter Magazine.

Mike

cool

[GB26]

Great pictures Looks a bit too fresh for me

[herc15]

Stunning photos in amazing scenery

[mikee115]

Thanks again for the further comments. The scenery definitely added a great backdrop.