EventDuring Operation ARCTIC VANGUARD, NORAD fighters from Goose Bay operated alongside Danish, French, and NATO units, integrating aerial refueling, airborne command‑control and ground refueling at Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. The exercise, held in Alaska, Canada, Iceland, and Greenland, aimed to strengthen North America’s northern air defense.
NORAD, Danish, and NATO forces carried out integrated air defense training during Operation Arctic Vanguard, flying fighters, refueling aircraft, and AWACS across bases in Canada, Iceland, and Greenland to strengthen defense of North America’s northern approaches.
A U.S. Air Force F‑16 from the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron took off at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador on Sept 17 2026 in support of Operation ARCTIC VANGUARD, an air‑defense exercise directed by NORAD to bolster aerospace warning and control missions in the Arctic.
NORAD F‑16 fighters were deployed to the High North under Operation Arctic Vanguard, supporting the Nordic Bridge concept that aligns NORAD and U.S. Northern Command Arctic exercises.
NORAD F-16s Deploy to High North Under Operation ARCTIC VANGUARD