The mission was coordinated with the USCG Arctic District, U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Alaska Air National Guard. It was led by the 611th Air Operations Center, supported by the Alaska Air National Guard, with the Kimball and U.S. Navy assets providing target data to the 2nd Bomb Wing bombers for standoff target acquisition and simulated weapons employment.
Four F-35 Lightning II aircraft from the 354th Fighter Wing escorted the bombers to improve security and effectiveness in the Alaskan Theater of Operations. Two KC-135 Stratotankers from the 168th Wing provided refuelling support, while an Alaska National Guard HC-130 Hercules was positioned for personnel recovery.
After leaving the Alaskan Theater, the bombers transferred seamlessly from the 611th Air Operations Center to the 613th, demonstrating Alaskan Command’s ability to integrate and shift combat capability between commands. “Homeland Defense operations in the Alaskan Theater of Operations is Alaskan Command’s number one priority,” said USAF Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander, Alaskan Command.
He added, “Our ability to integrate with multiple combatant commands and homeland defense partners demonstrates the capabilities necessary to safeguard the northern approaches to the United States.” As a subordinate unified command of USNORTHCOM, Alaskan Command leads Homeland Defense operations in the region, and this joint mission underscored long-standing cooperation between the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security while reinforcing USNORTHCOM’s ability to detect, deter and, if required, defeat threats to North America.
