USA Transfers F-35s from NATO Exercises in Norway to Middle East

The USA has withdrawn F-35 fighter jets that were to be involved in NATO’s Cold Response 2026 exercises, scheduled to take place in northern Norway in March, due to the escalating situation surrounding Iran.

This was reported by the Norwegian publication Fremover, citing the Norwegian Armed Forces.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Espen Solemdal, US forces, including F-35 fighter jets, are being redirected “to other regions of the world.” This involves approximately 100-150 military personnel who will not be arriving in Norway.

The Cold Response exercises are expected to bring together thousands of military personnel in Norway and Northern Europe. Although some Convertiplanes are still expected to arrive, the main group of American F-35s will not participate in the exercises.

The reason for the decision is said to be the increase in US military presence in the Middle East amid a possible escalation of the conflict with Iran.

According to Norwegian military analyst Per Erik Solli, combat operations take priority over training. He noted that such decisions are not unusual for the US. Last year, Washington also reviewed its participation in a number of international events, focusing its forces on the Middle East.

Despite the reduction in US participation, the exercises will take place as planned with the involvement of other units. At the same time, the absence of the F-35 will affect the training program, in particular for air defense units, which will lose eight training air targets.

Cold Response 2026 is led by a Norwegian-American headquarters located in Reitan near the city of Bodo. Approximately 25,000 military personnel will participate in the exercises. Of these, about 11,800 will train on Norwegian territory, with the rest training at sea, in the air, and in Finland.

Troops from 14 countries are participating in the maneuvers, including Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, and NATO units.