U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) speaks to Marines with 8th Communication Battalion about the importance of their work during exercise Nordic Response 24, Bardufoss, Norway, March 4, 2024. II MEF Marines are participating in exercise Nordic Response 24 which is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration under challenging Arctic conditions, in high-intensity warfighting including rugged terrain and extreme cold weather with NATO militaries and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacquilyn Davis) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)