Two Avenger Air Defense Systems sit on a flatbed trailer at the Port of Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 25, 2022 for exercise Arctic Edge 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten)

Two Avenger Air Defense Systems sit on a flatbed trailer at the Port of Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 25, 2022 for exercise Arctic Edge 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten)

Military holds major Arctic exercise across Alaska

From Juneau to the Arctic Circle, servicemembers will be practicing their cold-weather warfare.

From British Columbia to northern Alaska, the Department of Defense and Canadian military are holding Arctic Edge 2022, a major exercise held every two years to improve Arctic warfighting capability.

From mine countermeasures in Juneau’s harbor to special forces gaining proficiency in operations in the deep Arctic, the exercise stretches across the entire state, said public affairs officer, Air Force Capt. Lauren Ott.

“Arctic Edge 2022 is the opportunity for us to practice tactical and operational activities in an extreme cold weather environment,” Ott said. “There’s roughly a thousand servicemembers between U.S. and Canadian servicemembers that are participating.”

[The feel of water: Artists work to rethink mental health and waterways]

Army and Air Force personnel will be simulating both long- and short-range air defense capabilities out of Eielson Air Force Base, Ott said, with Air Force

“It is exercising the (Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense) capability here in Alaska. We have brought out the (short-range air defense)/Avenger system,” Ott said. “We are bringing out a Patriot system.”

The Patriot missile system, a long-range surface-to-air missile designed to be able to engage some inbound ballistic missile threats as well as regular aircraft and missiles, has never before been deployed to Alaska, Ott said.

“Part of the exercise will be simulating the use of these systems,” Ott said. “The Air Force participates by simulating the offensive object that the missile systems will be reacting to.”

Arctic Edge was first held in 2018, Ott said.

“I think the scope of the exercise, with the joint and combined nature, really speaks to the importance of the Arctic,” Ott said. “The participation of the Army, Navy and Air Force and Canadian allies- the ability to come together to execute this exercise really speaks to the strength of the relationships in the region.”

The realities of warfighting in the Arctic are demanding ones, Ott said.

“There’s absolutely considerations operating in an Arctic environment and the colder temperatures for equipment and personnel,” Ott said. “If there’s lessons for being more efficient going forward, we apply those lessons.”

Certain special operations elements will be getting an especially close look at that environment as they train further north, working with Alaska Natives to gain a better grasp of how to traverse the bitterly cold landscape.

“They’re going to more of the remote locations where they’re working with the Alaska Natives to gain familiarization with the region and the conditions. They’ll be exercising multiple capabilities: for example, traversing 60-80 miles of winter conditions with snowmobiles and their gear on their back to understand what it takes to be able to do that,” Ott said. “We have the fortune of having that relationship with the Alaska Native communities, who offer their expansive knowledge of the region from being here since time immemorial.”

That close relationship with Alaska Native communities has been a priority for Alaska Command, Ott said, from the commanding general on down.

“Lt. Gen. (David) Krumm places a lot of emphasis on fostering and maintaining those relationships,” Ott said. “When we have to go into one of those remote locations to gain this experience, we already have the contacts we can reach out to request support.”

The exercise will run until March 16, Ott said.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of April 20

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), co-chair of the House Education Committee, speaks in favor of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Legislature fails to override Dunleavy’s veto of $1,000 increase in per-student education spending

Lawmakers supporting veto note state’s financial shortfall, suggest smaller BSA increase or new revenue.

Sarah Palin arriving at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Andres Kudacki / For The New York Times)
Jury rules against Palin in libel case against the New York Times

After two hours of deliberation, claim rejected she was defamed in newspaper’s 2017 editorial.

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ballot petition to restrict daily and annual cruise passengers in Juneau certified for signatures

Opponent of measure argues it violates due process, free travel and other constitutional rights.

Workers process pollock. (Photo provided by Thompson and Co. PR on behalf of the Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance)
Murkowski and other US lawmakers seek guest worker visa exception for seafood industry

Legislation would exempt seafood companies from a cap on the number of H-2B visa workers.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, April 20, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Will Muldoon’s official campaign profile photo as a Juneau Board of Education candidate in the 2024 municipal election. Muldoon resigned from the board on Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Former write-in candidate Will Muldoon resigns from Juneau Board of Education

Muldoon, first write-in to win local election in 29 years in 2021, won easily reelection last fall.

Dancers exit the main conference room at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall as part of the opening ceremonies for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s 90th Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tlingit and Haida votes to give smaller Southeast communities more representation at tribal assembly

Change during constitutional convention significantly shrinks delegations in Anchorage and Seattle.

Lee Hart puts her jacket back on while talking with security officer Rayme Vinson after going through the new security screening process at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
TSA-style security screenings now required for visitors at Alaska State Capitol

Lawmakers, family, staff and other with keycards can bypass scans that began Monday.

Most Read