Corporal Chris Rowland, 35, from Seaham, is in Finland as part of a demanding winter training exercise with the Finnish Army.

He is taking part in Exercise Northern Axe with Finland’s Kainuu Brigade, one of the first major training missions since Finland officially became a NATO member in 2023.

Cpl Chris Rowland, C Coy, 3 Rifles (Image: Chris Fletcher)

Corporal Rowland said: “All the Finns are very professional. Our driver is a Finnish conscript, and he’s a lovely lad.

“They have a good standard, and they’re all very prepared with the capabilities they have on this exercise.

“I haven’t seen anything like it in about 15 years.”

Patria Armoured Personel Carrierduring Ex Northern Axe on the Vuosanka Training Area (Image: Chris Fletcher)

A member of 3 Rifles C-Company, Corporal Rowland is training alongside 3,000 personnel.

The exercise is taking place in the Vuosanka training area, just 30 miles from the Russian border, and includes live firing attacks, defensive tactics, and Arctic survival.

Participants are enduring freezing temperatures that can drop as low as -40C.

Corporal Rowland said: “Being a Northerner, I’d like to think I’ve done a lot better with the cold conditions in Finland, but everyone is in the same boat.

Leopard II tank of the Kainuu Bde during Ex Northern Axe on the Vuosanka Training Area (Image: Chris Fletcher)

“I think coming to Finland and learning from the Finns means we’re more prepared should we need to deploy quickly and head back into these cold conditions.”

The training is designed to prepare soldiers for the realities of Arctic warfare.

Major Henry Wootton, company commander for 3 Rifles, said: “We’re out here in Finland cooperating with our newest NATO partners in order to show solidarity against potential threats.

“This is important because we have lots to learn from each other.

“We learn how to manage the cold weather, bring in new skills and capabilities, and develop our overall operational capacity.

“It’s a really good opportunity for us to work with a new nation.”

Corporal Rowland is part of a 50-strong team from 3 Rifles taking part in the exercise.

He is expected to complete his winterisation training by mid-December and return to the UK.

Major Wootton said: “We’re out here in Finland cooperating with our newest NATO partners in order to show solidarity against potential threats.”