The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has deployed F-16 Fighting Falcons from Alaska to Canada as part of a multinational Arctic operation aimed at strengthening air defence and maintaining a military presence across the region.
F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska were deployed to Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, in support of Operation Arctic Vanguard 26-4.2, which runs from September 13 to 26, according to the Alaskan NORAD Region.
The operation brings US and Canadian NORAD forces together for defence missions across the Arctic and will see NORAD personnel and aircraft forward deploy to Greenland to operate in austere conditions alongside forces from Denmark and other NATO allies.
The deployment is part of the NORAD and US Northern Command’s Nordic Bridge concept, which seeks to coordinate Arctic operations, exercises, training and investments with NATO allies, regional partners and other US military commands.
“Operation Arctic Vanguard demonstrates that austere conditions and vast distances present no barrier to NORAD’s collective defense,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert D. Davis, commander of the Alaskan NORAD Region.
Davis said the deployment of combat aircraft from Alaska through Canada and onward to Greenland would test the forces’ ability to operate in difficult Arctic conditions while strengthening coordination with Canada, Denmark and other NATO allies.
“Together, we maintain continuous vigilance and credible deterrence across North America’s northern approaches,” he said.
Operation Arctic Vanguard is part of a recurring series of NORAD and US Northern Command activities across the North American Arctic. The exercises are designed to increase military presence in forward Arctic locations and strengthen the defence of North America’s northern approaches.
Under the Nordic Bridge concept, the latest operation will also involve multinational forces operating across multiple domains and locations in the Arctic, with the aim of establishing a more consistent presence in the strategically important region.
