European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday. February 13. 1990 the stars and stripes Page 3 sure it s cold but what the Heck troops in Norway exercise count their blessings b Ron Jensen staff writer As Selv. Norway the Lent where sgt. Perry Stricklr will sleep for the next two weeks is pitched on Snow covered ground. The temperature is below free ing with prospects of further dips. Yet he was smiling when he said. "1 think we re the envy of Ever Soldier in Ramstein " san Calm is a member of a stinger missile unit for the Allied c omd Europe Mobile Force. The unit is part of the army s 3rd in. 44lh air defense arty at rams Lem a. West Jermany. He is 250 Miles above the Arctic c ircle to take part in array encounter 90. An am cold weather exercise. The unit became part of the Mobile Force in octo Ber i my. Said i. Kevin Davis at that time there was no air defense specifically for the whole Force. The perceived thai As a  this unit was picked to join the multinational Force and life has been a traveler s Paradise Ever since. It s like they say. Fat fun. Travel and Advent  san Calm said. But the travel has a purpose. The soldiers must be prepared to deter a in real anywhere from the Arctic to the deserts of Turkey. That s a big Challenge gelling these soldiers trained in All these  Davis said. The unil has been on Maneu vers in Denmark and Lily. Some of the soldiers have been to Turkey and some had an earlier trip to Norway. Before joining the Mobile Force the unit was charged Wuh the de sense of rams Lem a. Which rarely gave them Rea son to lease that immediate area. Travel in t the Only plus that the Job offers. One of the biggest advantages is we gel to train with other units from of her  Davis said. We gel to see How they do Ihms. They get to see How we do  during array encounter. Davis men will train with Canadian. British and italian soldiers equipped Wanh each nation s version of the Slyger missile the portable missile which is fired from the shoulder has been credited Wuh helping afghan rebels Drue the soviets out of Afghanistan. To demonstrate the missile s heat seeking device one Soldier held a cigarette lighter a few feet from pfc. William Mcyoung tests anti air Craft system during the Norway exercise. The launch device. When the lighter was lil. The tone from the launcher changed indicating it had found a target even in the sub acc ing temperatures. The stinger unit is camped on a Riverbank next to the Headquarters for the exercise. The tactical operations Center was established monday by the Force s he co. Which is based in Mannheim West Ger Many. Canvas shelters were pieced together and arranged to accommodate the exercise commanders. About 100 Yards away another Headquarters was set up As an alternate if something should happen to the first 1-1. Mall Anderson said. Maj. William Bryant who is in charge of head quarters is a Veteran of cold weather exercises. He was last Here in 1988. We had Snow Here last time a meter to a meter and a half High he said. It needs to be about five degrees colder. I d rather have Snow than rain and  we Hove lived with it for Many years \ndsf.l.v. Norway is at a downtown intersection a military truck painted Wuh the Black and White Snow camouflage pattern Slid into the path of an oncoming car. Horn blared the truck slopped and the car continued around it. In an area where the temperature can re main Well below Era for weeks and snowfall is often measured in meters a few Cumber some military vehicles Are a Small nuisance. We Are used to  said Jens Slefka Nus son. A native of this Arctic town. We have lived with it for Many   two years. Nato s Allied come Europe Mobile Force invades this Valley above the Arctic Circle. This year s array encounter exercise has brought More than 6,0 10 troops and 1.500 vehicles to the Region. While mothers push children in Strol lers equipped with sled runners along the streets fighter jets and cargo planes fill the air with engine Roar. The streets aft Laden Wuh the sound of grinding gears As the heavy trucks and armoured vehicles negotiate icy inclines. We have had it a Long  said Vid Kun Llau Gli. The mayor of the Region in which the exercise takes place. "1 think people say. Of. We will live with it " Haugli is mayor of maa Selv. A 1,320 Square mile Valley Hal is 250 Miles above the Arctic Circle and has a Popula Tion of 7.500. In is made up of Small towns and clusters of buildings Loo Small to be called towns. The 150 lakes and the magnificent mountains provide a Back. An american vehicle is in place fur the exercise 250 Miles North of the Arctic Circle. Drop of Beauty for the exercise. And the climate provides the perfect environment for cold weather training. Sometimes. I Don t like All the Mili tary  said Segaard Hamburg who services copying machines in and Selv. Hut. He said the exercise is generally regarded As no More annoying than the summer invasion of Lou risks. Not everyone likes it but most peo ple accept  he said. This is the 16th Lime that the exercise has been held in this area but the first since the changes in Eastern Europe. The people of an Selv Are far away from those changes but they understand whal they mean. Still they Are not ready to completely junk the military Maneu vers. "1 think it s Loo much now so Fanus son said of the exercise. "1 think they Sis Sukyi Smiy have to slow  defense is still needed he added. And a military1 Force needs to  maybe now they can do with fewer troops and machines he  can say thai in the future these exercises will no be  Haugli said. But now i think we must have  and. Ramberg said we still have tile russians in the  Ron Jensen