F-16s, KC-135s Brave Greenland Chill for NORAD Exercise

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Airmen from across North American Aerospace Defense Command deployed with fighters, tankers, and more to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland in recent weeks for a bitterly cold exercise. 

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 11, more than 125 personnel participated in Operation Noble Defender, braving subfreezing temperatures that got as low as -29 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -56 degrees, according to a release. 

NORAD noted in its release that the exercise brought together personnel and aircraft from all three of its regions: Alaska, Canada, and the continental U.S. Participating aircraft included F-16s, KC-135s, and E-3s from the U.S. Air Force, as well as CF-18s, C-150s and CH-149s from the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

“Over the last three weeks, our integrated American and Canadian NORAD teams have demonstrated the ability to operate at the highest level in one of the most austere environments in the world,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Shemo, commander of the 41st Air Expeditionary Group. “I am immensely proud of them and their dedication to this mission and appreciate the close cooperation from the Kingdom of Denmark as we train for the defense of Canada and the United States across all domains.” 

According to released images, the F-16s came from the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron out of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and the KC-135s from the 50th Air Refueling Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

The point of the exercise is to demonstrate and work on NORAD’s “ability to defend the approaches of North America from current and future threats, maintain mission readiness in diverse and challenging environments, and to preserve capacity for follow-on operations,” the command release stated. 

NORAD previously announced the F-16s had deployed to Greenland the same day as U.S. Air Force F-35s and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s conducted combat air patrols in response to Russian military aircraft operating in the Arctic. F-35s also deployed to Greenland for the 2023 edition of Noble Defender.

The exercise comes as experts and U.S. military officials have warned that Russia remains interested in the so-called GIUK gap—the region including Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. NORAD boss Gen. Gregory M. Guillot said in March 2024 that Russian bombers flew through the region for the first time in years. President Donald Trump has also emphasized the strategic importance of Greenland, saying he would like to acquire the self-governing territory from Denmark.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org