Arctic Challenge 2023: U.S. joins coalition for largest Nordic exercise

By training and conducting realistic exercises in the High North U.S. forces and those of Allied and partner nations hone skills, fine-tune interoperability, nurture key relationships, and acclimate to the inherent challenges posed by fighting in the Arctic’s extreme conditions.

By U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs , U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa PIRKKALA AIR BASE, Finland May 29, 2023

View Gallery

Gallery contains 1 image

Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023, the premier Nordic large-force, live-fly field training exercise, will focus on advancing Arctic security initiatives and enhancing interoperability throughout the High North from May 29 - June 9, 2023, throughout Finland, Norway and Sweden.

As the newest member of NATO, Finland's lead during this year’s iteration of Arctic Challenge signifies the strength and capability of the Alliance throughout the Nordic region. The U.S., one of 13 nations and NATO participating int he sixth iteration of the exercise, is represented by U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and the Maine Air National Guard.

RAF Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing committed eight F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters to operate from Norway’s Ørland Air Base, and 14 F-15E Strike Eagle dual-role fighters to Finland’s Pirkkala Air Base.

A contingent of KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall’s 100th Air Refueling Wing and Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing are scheduled to support coalition aerial refueling requirements for the duration of the exercise from Norway’s Ørland Air Base and from RAF Mildenhall, U.K.

U.S. Air Force exercise controllers from Nellis Air Force Base’s 414th Combat Training “Red Flag” Squadron will integrate with Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian coordinators at Sweden’s Luleå Air Base to support host nation exercise planners.

U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa will provide advanced ground-based radar capabilities for coalition forces throughout the exercise to extend aircraft visibility and advance air-to-ground training objectives.

By training and conducting realistic exercises in the High North U.S. forces and those of Allied and partner nations hone skills, fine-tune interoperability, nurture key relationships, and acclimate to the inherent challenges posed by fighting in the Arctic’s extreme conditions.

U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs visits U.S. European Command

Slovakia welcomes 4th generation aircraft

Playing the piano at 45,000 feet: Ramstein hosts NATO fighter exercise

Nordic Response 24 showcases unmatched interoperability on land, sea, air

U.S. strategic bombers complete first Bomber Task Force deployment under Large Scale Global Exercise 2024

State Partnership Program

U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa

Combined event focuses on collective security, interoperability

US European Command hosted the Baltic Sea Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, and Intelligence Synchronization Board, combined with the Mission Partner Environment summit, in Garmisch, Germany.

USEUCOM Director for Plans, Policy, and Strategy attends annual Joint Commission in Poland

Members of the U.S.-Poland Joint Commission tasked with implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (ECDA) met to discuss various topics related to advancing this historic burden-sharing agreement.

USEUCOM team participates in Cyber Expert Games in Poland

USEUCOM’s Cyberspace Operations Advise and Assist team, along with three other members of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, participated in the Cyber Expert Games that were held in Warsaw, Poland, in early December.

Combined event focuses on collective security, interoperability

USEUCOM Director for Plans, Policy, and Strategy attends annual Joint Commission in Poland

USEUCOM team participates in Cyber Expert Games in Poland

Combined event focuses on collective security, interoperability

USEUCOM Director for Plans, Policy, and Strategy attends annual Joint Commission in Poland

USEUCOM team participates in Cyber Expert Games in Poland

United States European Command

United States European Command

Arctic Challenge 2023: U.S. joins coalition for largest Nordic exercise

By training and conducting realistic exercises in the High North U.S. forces and those of Allied and partner nations hone skills, fine-tune interoperability, nurture key relationships, and acclimate to the inherent challenges posed by fighting in the Arctic’s extreme conditions.