US joins coalition for largest Nordic exercise
KC-135R Stratotankers are scheduled to support coalition aerial refuelling during exercise Arctic Challenge. (Photo: US DoD)
Exercise Arctic Challenge 2023 has begun and will be running through 9 June, across Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Exercise Arctic Challenge is the premier Nordic large-force, live-fly field training exercise and it focuses on advancing Arctic security initiatives and enhancing interoperability throughout the High North.
As the newest member of NATO, Finland is leading this year’s iteration of Arctic Challenge and signifies the strength and capability of the alliance throughout the Nordic region.
The exercise began in 2013, occurring biennially, as an interoperability training exercise between Finland, Sweden, and Norway, and it has now expanded to incorporate nearly every Arctic nation and many NATO allies and partners.
Related Articles
CAE team expands KC-135 training
QinetiQ partners with US Navy and NATO on Formidable Shield exercise
Norway to explore options for training Ukrainian F-16 pilots
The US, through US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and the Maine Air National Guard – have joined as one of 13 nations plus NATO participating in the sixth iteration of the exercise.
RAF Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing committed eight F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters from the 493rd Fighter Squadron which will operate from Norway’s Ørland Air Base.
The 48th Fighter Wing also deployed 14 F-15E Strike Eagle dual-role fighters from the 494th Fighter Squadron to Finland’s Pirkkala Air Base.
A contingent of KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall’s 100th Air Refuelling Wing and the Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refuelling Wing are scheduled to support coalition aerial refuelling requirements for the duration of the exercise.
US Air Force exercise controllers from Nellis AFB’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.
US 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.
More from Training
-
![Hadean completes live-virtual training capability for British Army]()
Hadean completes live-virtual training capability for British Army
Populating the World of Training is a project run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and has been designed to bridge the real and synthetic worlds to provide more enhanced training for UK Armed Forces using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
-
![Fincantieri company launches VR and AR simulator for ROVs]()
Fincantieri company launches VR and AR simulator for ROVs
Designed for the Italian Navy, the simulator was presented at Mine Countermeasures Forces Command in La Spezia.
-
![Encrypted Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation contract boosts US Air Force readiness]()
Encrypted Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation contract boosts US Air Force readiness
The contract, awarded to Cubic Defense, will enable 4th and 5th generation aircraft to train seamlessly together.
-
![Vietnam receives first batch of L-39NG jets and awaits US trainers]()
Vietnam receives first batch of L-39NG jets and awaits US trainers
The 12 L-39NGs jet trainers ordered by Vietnam will replace the country’s fleet of L-39C Albatros jets.
-
![Southern Fenix rises in the Atacama Desert as militaries train together]()
Southern Fenix rises in the Atacama Desert as militaries train together
The exercise aimed to foster hemispheric collaboration and was the first deployment of the M142 HIMARS system in such training.
