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U.S. joint forces conducted a multi-day air-and-land exercise near Nome, Alaska, on Aug. 4 and 6, integrating capabilities to detect, track, and defeat simulated threats to the homeland during Operation TUNDRA MERLIN.
The mission brought together two F-35 Lightning II aircraft, two F-16 Fighting Falcons, and a KC-135 Stratotanker from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska; a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; an AN/TP Q-53 radar system; and Soldiers with the 11th Airborne Division. Operating in the Alaskan theater under U.S. Northern Command and Alaskan Command, participating crews executed offensive and defensive counterair, long-range precision fires, and aerial refueling as part of a single, integrated mission.
After aerial refueling by the KC-135, fighter aircraft advanced toward the vicinity of Saint Lawrence Island. The operation synchronized F-35s with a HIMARS launcher to engage a simulated target roughly 135 miles away. Throughout the profile, F-16s provided defensive counterair by intercepting F-35s acting as simulated inbound threats.
“This operation demonstrated the power of an integrated joint force capable of layering effects across the air and land domains to strengthen homeland defense,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Eleventh Air Force. “By synchronizing command and control, airpower and long-range precision fires, we strengthened our ability to posture combat-ready forces, eliminate operational seams and demonstrate the credible combat capability required to deter aggression across the Arctic.”
Operation TUNDRA MERLIN brings together joint and multinational forces across Alaska to reinforce homeland defense and secure the approaches to North America. Through synchronized campaigning, the effort rapidly integrates combat capabilities, strengthens command and control, and fields combat-ready forces intended to deter aggression and defeat potential adversaries across the Arctic.
