Air Commandos are operating with NATO allies and joint U.S. forces in austere conditions across the High North. The wing is assessing long-range force employment, tactical readiness and air-domain interoperability during the multinational training event.
“Our objectives are the same as NATO objectives: to increase interoperability with our Allies and partners and to deter and defend against potential adversaries in the High North,” the 352 SOW mission commander said. The wing is using the training to evaluate technologies designed specifically for special operations logistics.
“We are specifically exploring opportunities to employ emerging SOF-peculiar technologies, enabling long-range logistical sustainment of the Allied and Joint Force,” the commander said. “Basically, we’ll be employing non-standard airdrop platforms to deliver logistical and medical supplies to far-forward troops.”
A central part of the training involves dropping a powered glider carrying supplies to a detachment of U.S. service members. The demonstration is intended to validate a new method of supporting special operations units operating at significant distances from established supply lines.
“We specifically want to train in long-range resupply in contested environments and intend to airdrop a powered glider to a detachment of fellow U.S. servicemembers,” the commander said. “This glider will be filled with supplies and airdropped to the servicemembers on the ground validating our capability to deliver critical supplies to SOF teams operating far beyond friendly supply lines.”
Northern Viking integrates air and maritime components in joint military operations involving the 352 SOW and other U.S. services. The format allows the wing to test operational coordination with allied forces under the conditions expected in the region.
“This exercise gives us a unique opportunity to practice like we expect to play, where we expect to play, and alongside the partners we will play with,” the commander said. “Simply by being here in Iceland and working with our Allies, we are strengthening the relationships across the Alliance and identifying key areas where we can improve our ability to project U.S. and Allied combat power.”
The tactics and procedures developed during Northern Viking will be codified for future special operations missions across U.S. European Command. They will add another long-range sustainment option for supporting teams operating beyond friendly supply lines.
