180th Fighter Wing takes part in Arctic Edge 2022
Story by Staff Sgt. Kregg York, 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (03/18/22)
More than 100 Airmen and eight F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 180th Fighter Wing deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in early March to take part in Exercise Arctic Edge 2022.
First taking place in 2018, Arctic Edge is a recurring U.S. Northern Command exercise scheduled every two years, with roots going back more than five decades to a shared commitment to the defense of North America. This exercise is specifically designed to provide realistic and effective training for land, sea and air forces using the premier training locations available throughout Alaska, ensuring the ability to rapidly deploy and operate in the Arctic.
“Each branch of the U.S. military and its allies bring different skill sets to the table in defense of North America,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Frank Rice, commander of the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, South Carolina Army National Guard. “The joint force interoperability of this exercise shows that in a time of need, U.S. and allied forces can and will rise to any challenge.”
For the 180th contingent, the training environment in Alaska is a distinct contrast to Ohio.
For the 180th contingent, the training environment in Alaska is a distinct contrast to Ohio.
“You have to take into account the mountainous terrain,” said Maj. Jacob Laginess, an F-16 fighter pilot assigned to the 180th FW. “The weather can get colder here, so that is more of a concern, especially the farther north you go. It’s not quite like home.”
As a multinational, multiservice exercise, Arctic Edge also provided the 180th FW Airmen with the opportunity to work closely with other U.S. and Canadian armed forces units, and in a joint environment.
“It’s always awesome to come to a place like this,” said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Close, maintenance lead for the 180th FW during AE22. “To work with multiple services — Navy, Marines and other Air Force entities — putting our unit on display, showcasing our talents and what we bring as the Guard and as the 180th (Fighter Wing). That’s huge for us.”
During the three-week exercise, Arctic Edge involved about 1,000 participants, including U.S. and Canadian service members, and civilian employees from the U.S. Department of Defense and Canada’s Department of National Defence.
“The Canadian Armed Forces is a key partner in Arctic safety, security and defense matters,” said Canadian Lt. Col. Jill Lutz, commanding officer of the Canadian Detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. “Through our 24/7 involvement in North American Aerospace Defense Command operations and by participating in exercises such as Exercise AE22, our armed forces remain interoperable with U.S. forces in the Arctic.”
Lt. Gen. David Krumm, head of Alaskan Command, spoke about AE22 and how it is tied to the other Arctic activities.
“(These exercises) bring us all together as a joint, combined and allied force to think about how we can defend the Arctic, how we can work together to not just survive up here but thrive and be able to protect our homeland,” Krumm said. “This really is a demonstration of how we can use all these different operations to weave together how we support our countries to protect our nations’ interests and defend our homelands as well.”
Overall, Krumm highlighted the success of the exercise and the people it took to make it happen while also looking forward to the future of Arctic cooperation. “Every single service, every single unit, every single person, they all bring something different to the fight,” Krumm said. “Our nations, both Canada and the United States working together, have done an incredible amount together, and I look forward to the future.”
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Senior Airman Emily Farnsworth of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs Office contributed to this article.
