World's northernmost cross-border rescue exercise cancelled

“We have decided not to conduct Exercise Barents 2020, supposed to take place on May 27th. This in full understanding with the partners in Russia,” says Bente Jonassen at the Norwegian Joint Rescue Centres to the Barents Observer.

She tells it was considered to postponed until autumn, but such option was seen as unrealistic.

“Norway is now planning and responsible for Exercise Barents 2021,” Jonassen says.

The unique annual cross-border search- and rescue exercise normally takes place in the maritime border areas of Norway and Russia in the Barents Sea. It is one of very few arenas where NATO personell are working side-by-side with assets from Russia’s powerful Northern Fleet.

*One “person” saved from sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen*

Last year, the Northern Fleet participated with its tug “Altai” as well as a Ka-27 helicopter and a Il-38 maritime surveillance aircraft. FSB’s border guards ship “Zapolariye” also assisted.

The play has a realistic senario with a vessel sinking and people are reported missing at sea. In the start, the Russian assets works on the east side of the maritime border line, while the Norwegians are on the west side. Then, if permissions are granted, Russian ships can sail across to Norwegian waters vis-a-versa.

*Fast-roping to the deck of the Norwegian Coast Guard ship “KV Barentshav” from a Russian Mi-8 helicopter operating for the rescue service based in Murmansk. Photo: Thomas Nilsen*

After the search- and rescue part is ended, the exercise turns into an oil-spill senario with testing of various equipment to prevent oil from spreading in the harsh Arctic climate.

Norway and Russia share responsibility for the exercise bi-annually and since the 2020 drill is cancelled, Norway will take the lead next year.

See photos from the 2019-exercise by clicking on the image below.

A "person" rescued from sea. Click on the photo for more gallery images. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The scenario for the Norwegian, Russian Exercise Barents 2019 is an explosion on tanker in the maritime border areas between the Varanger Peninsula and the Fishermen peninsula. Planes and ships are searching the area for 28 missing 'persons' in the sea. Here, a Russian military Iluchin-38, normally used in anti-submarine operations. On sea, the Northern Fleet's ship "Altay" and FSB border guard ship "Zapolariye". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The annual exercise was this year led by the Russian side. Captain on bridge on Russia's Marine Rescue Service North Branch show the maritime area for search. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Captain on bridge of the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "KV Sortland" in radio contact with the Norwegian resources for the exercise. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Crew members on "KV Sortland" on watch for 'persons' missing at sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "KV Sortland". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Russian Search- and Rescue (SAR) and oil spill recovery ship "Murman" with a military Iluchin-38. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
The Norwegian anti-submarine and surveillance aircraft P-3 Orion "Viking" flying over the search area. Like Russian aircraft were allowed to fly over Norwegian maritime area, the Norwegian aircraft were granted permission to cross the border to Russian airspace in the search area during the exercise. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
A Russian Northern Fleet Ka-27 search- and rescue helicopter in the skies over the three Russian vessels "Murman Ryba" (left), Northern Fleet's "Altay" and FSB Border Guard's "Zapolariye". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
One of the "missing persons" found in the sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Coast Guard RIB on the water ready to pick up people from the water. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian coast guard RIB was put on the water in full speed towards the person who could be difficult to see in the high waves. In the cold water Barents Sea, every minute counts when saving lives. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Full speed towards the person in the sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
It can be hard to lift a man out of the water. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bringing the missing "person" safely on bord the Coast Guard vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
On watch for more people missing at sea. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Air Force's Sea King Search- and Rescue helicopter flying over Russian SAR vessel "Murman". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Sea King SAR helicopter arrives to pick up people and bring the to hospitals on the mainland. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Sea King SAR helicopter lifting people off the Coast Guard vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Sea King SAR helicopter lifting people off the Coast Guard vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bent-Ove Jamtli is Director of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Northern Norway (JRCC). Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Happy after successful rescue mission. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "KV Sortland" sailing side-by-side with the Russian SAR vessel "Murmansk" in the Barents Sea search area. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russian Northern Fleet SAR helicopter Ka-27 lift off people from "Murman" rescue vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russian military naval Ka-27 rescue helicopter. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian and Russian military and civilian search- and rescue resources work side-by-side together during Exercise Barents 2019. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bringing up on of the "persons" from the sea to the SAR vessel "Murman". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Bringing up on of the "persons" from the sea to the SAR vessel "Murman". Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
"Murman" is a Murmansk based rescue vessel. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Oil spill preparedness was the second phase of Exercise Barents 2019. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Russian navy and civilian officers on bridge during Exercise Barents 2019. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Norwegian inner Coast Guard vessel "Farm" with the Russian Northern Fleet's "Altai" and a Mi-8 rescue helicopter flying the search area. Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen
Photo: Thomas Nilsen