NATO Intervened at Joint Viking Drills to Protect US Troops’ Morale
During NATO’s Joint Viking exercises in Norway, commanders intervened after US troops struggled in Arctic conditions, asking Finnish reservists to ease pressure.
Organizers of NATO’s Joint Viking Arctic exercises, held in Norway in March 2025, resorted to unusual measures to prevent a drop in morale among US troops, according to a report by The Times.
Journalists found that Finnish reservists acting as the notional opposing force were advised to deliberately ease off against American units. US forces reportedly struggled to operate effectively in the extreme conditions of the Arctic, prompting concern among exercise planners.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Finnish troops were instructed to stop outperforming their US counterparts and to show greater restraint, as repeated defeats were proving humiliating and had a demoralizing effect on the American contingent.
The report notes that Finnish service members, with extensive training and experience in Arctic warfare, displayed a clear advantage in tactics, endurance, and mobility. The gap in capabilities became so pronounced that NATO command stepped in, fearing a further erosion of morale among US forces.