U.S. Marines have participated in the Swedish Basic Winter Warfare Course. These pictures were taken by Staff Sgt. Marcin Platek in January 2018, located in the North of Sweden.  The location more exactly is Arvidsjaur, Sweden, where a lot of car manufacturers torture their upcoming and future cars and vehicles in the extreme winter.

This is also the training grounds for the Swedish Arctic Rangers (AJB – Arméns jägarbataljon) and from time to time they have international guests. This time they greeted some US Marines to the party. They do look a little frozen. I wonder if they are longing for home?

Participants of the Swedish Basic Winter Warfare Course shoot their Swedish AK-5C rifles during the culminating event in Arvidsjaur, Sweden, Jan. 24, 2018.

Marines from the Black Sea Rotational Force and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with troops from 9 other countries, participated in the Swedish Basic Winter Warfare Course.

Below: Note the Carl Gustav on the back.

The course developed the participants’ capability to survive in cold-weather environment, march on skis, apply his or hers tactical skills at individual and squad levels, and to lead smaller units in winter warfare in subarctic winter conditions.

Note the FN FNC, Swedish version is called Automatkarbin 5 or short Ak-5C. Chambered in 5,56×45 mm NATO. Aimpoint sight.

If you don’t use your winter camouflage for your head you should reconsider. You’re an easy target.

Whatever happened to light discipline? Making a fire like this is a huge no no for an Arctic Ranger.

All photos by U.S. Marine Corps, photo by SSgt. Marcin Platek. I’m surprised he found any sunlight to use at all in January.

Five ski tips from a Swedish winter warfare instructor