The North American Aerospace Defense Command deployed F-16 Fighting Falcons from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska to Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, in support of Operation Arctic Vanguard 26-4.2, NORAD said. During the operation, which runs through September 26, NORAD and Canadian forces are executing defense missions across the Arctic while personnel and aircraft forward deploy into Greenland to operate alongside partners from Denmark and other NATO countries.
The operation is part of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command's Nordic Bridge concept, which aligns Arctic operations, exercises, training, and investments with NATO and regional partners.
"Deploying combat airpower from Alaska across Canada and forward into Greenland validates our agile combat capabilities and demonstrates our seamless integration with the Canadian NORAD region, the Kingdom of Denmark and our NATO allies," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert D. Davis, commander of the Alaskan NORAD Region.
Operation Arctic Vanguard is part of a recurring series of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations conducted across the North American Arctic region to enhance multinational presence, operate from forward Arctic locations, and defend North America's northern approaches, NORAD said.