Norwegian armed forces personnel, U.S. Marines, and sailors with the Combined Joint Logistics Support Group pose for a group photo after a transfer of authority ceremony at Kjeller Air Base, Norway, Feb. 27, 2026. (Rafael BrambilaPelayo/U.S. Marine Corps)
A Marine Corps one-star general recently took command of a joint logistics unit in Norway, where the service is gearing up for major NATO combat drills.
Brig. Gen. Maura Hennigan, commander of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, took over leadership of the Combined Joint Logistics Support Group from Norwegian army Brig. Gen. Nina Berg during a transfer of authority ceremony last week at Kjeller Air Base.
The transfer marks the first time a U.S. Marine Corps general has assumed command of a fully integrated bilateral logistics headquarters, the Corps said in a statement Saturday.
The command change occurred ahead of the Norway-led multinational exercise Cold Response, which will involve some 3,000 Marines alongside thousands of other allied troops.
The drills will run through most of March. Hennigan will command the logistics during the live portion of the exercise, while Berg will resume command again for the computer-aided exercise, the statement said.
“The U.S. and Norway share (a) legacy from over eight decades ago helping to liberate Europe during World War II,” Hennigan said. “And we make history again today by integrating our logistical forces one step further than ever before.”
During World War II, Kjeller Air Base was captured by Nazi Germany and used as a strategic outpost.
The Marine Corps has a long history in Norway, where it has operated for decades and maintains large weapons stockpiles.
Over the past month, NATO has taken steps to bolster its presence in High North, such as the new enhanced vigilance operation known as Arctic Sentry.
Norwegian army Brig. Gen. Nina Berg, left, outgoing commander of the Combined Joint Logistics Support Group, and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Maura Hennigan, incoming commander, stand together during a transfer of authority ceremony at Kjeller Air Base, Norway, Feb. 27, 2026. The transfer marks the first time a U.S. Marine Corps general has assumed command of a fully integrated bilateral logistics headquarters, the service said. (Rafael BrambilaPelayo/U.S. Marine Corps)
