NATO Exercises in Norway Encounter Mishap in Arctic Weather Conditions Involving 4 US Marines

A NATO plane crashed, incurring several casualties as arctic weather conditions caused problems during the operations by the US assets in Norway.

The authorities confirmed four were dead as the US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft went missing at 18:26 (1726 GMT) in the south of Bodo and north of Norway.

In a statement front the regional emergency services (HRS), it was mentioned that the disaster was due to bad weather.

Accident During the NATO Exercise in Norway

According to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), the unit participated in the NATO military exercise called 'Cold Response' when the mishap was reported, per Express UK.

The authorities acted as soon as the plane was reported missing at 18:26 (5:26 pm GMT) when it did not land at 6 pm CET (5 pm GMT).

Jonas Gahr Støre, Norway's Prime Minister, remarked that the four American soldiers died in the mishap after the aircraft crashed.

He extended sympathies to their relatives and co-soldiers included in the unit for the loss of the four soldiers.

NATO Plane Crash Casualties

The wreckage was located after an emergency signal from the crash was received. But the bad weather prevented rescue aircraft from taking any immediate action accordingly. The police and rescue services were sent ahead by land instead.

PM Støre posted on social media confirming that four soldiers died in the crash the night before.

Sources say that two units, a rescue helicopter and a Military Orion plane, were dispatched to the area and contacted the crash site at precisely 8.17 pm GMT.

Reuters was informed by Bent Eilertsen, the Nordland police chief of staff, that the aircraft was found by rescue personnel, but no one survived the NATO plane crash in the harsh arctic weather conditions.

He informed that the US plane involved four Americans in the crash.

Furthermore, the cold and dark weather conditions are hazardous, and there is a risk of an avalanche for deployed rescue units.

Bad Arctis Conditions Hinders Rescue

The local reports stated that efforts for a land rescue are about several hours from the location of the crash.

The II Marine Expeditionary Force said the MV-22B Osprey mishap was on the record as it was assigned to Norway on March 18. The head of the forces said the unfortunate accident is under investigation.

American military officials of the Expeditionary unit confirmed that it participated in the Exercise Cold Response 2022, cited ABC News.

The civil authorities in Norway are coordinating the search and rescue at the time.

He added the US appreciates the actions of its Norway partners in conducting the search and rescues at all costs.

The II Marine Expeditionary force statement explained that although the tour of duty was risky. Still, the safety of everyone involved in military operations is the top priority, and further information will be released once it is on hand.

Lt. Col. Stine Barclay Gaasland of the Royal Norwegian Airforce said that everyone was affected by the plane crash, adding that those involved are allies and partners whom they train with.

Local media mentioned that a rescue team of 20 people is going to the site where the plane went down riding snowmobiles.

Local media confirmed the fatalities from the crashed Osprey occurred in the remote area of Gråtådalen, Northern Norway.

Former foreign affairs reporter of tabloid newspaper Verdens Gang, Rune Thomas Ege, said that no one was there yet as of 11.30 pm local time.

Norwegian Police state that the NATO plane crash happened during bad arctic weather conditions, leading to the aircraft mishap in Norway.