Well there's nothing new about protecting the Northern Flank, and to protect it, means you have to train. The Royal Marines have been doing "Clockwork XXXXXX" since the year dot, with varying aviation support from Harriers, CHOSC, 3 Cdo Bde Air Sqn, and 2 Flt AAC as they all were in those days. As for the "...-27C was sunbathing weather when I was a lad..." crowd, yes, you can acclimatize to extreme cold weather operations, but it's still a hazardous operating environment for both personnel and equipment. Good to see the Apache being used in those conditions.
As for OC AAC, he is the spokesman for the aircrew, the REME technicians who have to go out and service a cold-soaked aircraft, the AAC ground crew who refuel, rearm and ground handle these aircraft, the RLC who provision and supply the spares to keep them flying, plus a myriad of support staff to keep the Squadron operational in those conditions. They all know how long the logistics tail is, especially for the Apache, they also know the OC speaks for all of them when he says what an achievement this is.