Chief of Royal Norwegian Navy Discusses Arctic, Emerging Technologies at U.S. Naval War College

Rear Adm. Oliver Berdal, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy, visited the U.S. Naval War College (NWC), where he met with NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, on Oct. 9, 2025. 

During his visit, Berdal, an alumnus of the college, met with Norwegian military personnel attending the NWC’s Naval Command College and Naval Staff College programs. He also delivered a talk about the strategic importance of the Arctic region, as well as emerging technologies affecting military operations there and around the world, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems. 

"As founding members of NATO, the U.S. and Norway have enjoyed more than seven decades of close and strategic defense relations, and it was an honor to welcome back Rear Adm. Berdal to the U.S. Naval War College,” said Walker. “This visit was an incredibly valuable opportunity for my institution to learn from the perspectives of an experienced warfighter, and for us to discuss ways we can use our military education platform to strengthen our interoperability across all domains.  

“Every year - including this year - we have Norwegian military personnel attending the war college alongside our ascending U.S. military leaders, as well as officers representing mutual allies and partners from around the world,” he continued. “The bonds we build here and warfighting tactics we study together lay the groundwork for generations of effectiveness and lethality as a global, seamlessly integrated joint combined force." 

The visit was in line with the NWC’s mission to engage with allies and partners on all matters of naval power in order to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war, and comes less than a month after the school hosted a visit by Rear Adm. Luis Del Carpio Azalgara, commander of the Peruvian submarine force. 

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.