In an effort to improve readiness and demonstrate military capabilities in the Arctic, the U.S. is conducting joint exercises in multiple locations across Alaska and Greenland from Feb. 23 to March 13.

According to a notice from the U.S. Northern Command website, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) will participate, with all training activities in Greenland being conducted in full coordination with the Kingdom of Denmark.

Alaskans in Anchorage, Kodiak, Fairbanks and Kotzebue reside closest to the exercises, which will include cruise missile defense, protection of power grids and oil refineries, testing of counter-defense small unmanned aerial systems, and experimentation and technology demonstration in the Arctic. Exercises in Greenland will include arctic survival and mobility training.

The Arctic Edge training is an annual exercise designed to demonstrate that engaged forces are established and ready to secure North America in an increasingly complex Arctic security environment.

This exercise includes forces from Air Forces Northern, Army North, Naval Forces Northern, Marine Forces Northern, Special Operations Command North, the Alaskan NORAD Region, the Canadian NORAD Region, Alaska Command, and the Continental U.S. NORAD Region. It also includes participation from Denmark, Canada, the Alaska National Guard, and interagency partners, including the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, FAA, Alaska DHS, Alaska state and local law enforcement, and Alaska Native communities.

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