INTERVIEW: Lt. Vebjorn Svendsen Discusses Norwegian Army’s experience during Swift Response (4K Video) WIDE SHOT for Multicam Edit

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Video by Staff Sgt. Christopher Tobey, Sgt. 1st Class Jeff VanWey

361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element

May 20, 2025 | 9:18

Lieutenant Vebjorn Svendsen, Executive Officer for Cavalry Company of Armoured Battalion, Brigade Nord in the Norwegian Army, discusses the training his soldiers and conscripts experience during Swift Response, a supporting exercise of DEFENDER 25, in Bardufoss, Norway May 13 - 16 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Staff Sgt. Christopher Tobey and SFC Jeff VanWey)

(00:12) Broad description of Norwegian role in Swift Response
(01:40) Conscripts experience
(03:07) Planning Process and Nato Standards
(04:31) Importance of Nato Interoperability
(05:08) Training Impact on Norwegians and Nato Allies
(06:32) Importance of Cold Weather Combat Training
(07:14) Witnessing the size of the Nato Coalition
(07:55) Reassurance of the Joint Capabilities of Nato Coalition
(08:36) Nato has Everyone’s Back
(09:11) I’m A Defender