Dayton To Head To Norway For Troop Celebration

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton will make a quick trip to Norway next weekend to recognize Minnesota's 40-year-old troop exchange with the Scandinavian country.

The governor will leave for Oslo on Feb. 22, attend a Feb. 23 event to celebrate the long-standing exchange program, and return to Minnesota the following day.

One hundred Minnesota National Guard soldiers go to Norway every year for cold-weather training. At the same time, troops from Norway's Home Guard come to train in Minnesota. Adjutant General Rick Nash of the state's National Guard says it's the oldest troop exchange program in the world.

Dayton will host Norway's ambassador U.S. and defense chief for a similar event in Minneapolis this Sunday. Troops from Norway's Home Guard and the state National Guard are expected to attend both events.

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