Arctic regional air defence and military exercises

NATO and NORAD have increased military air presence and exercises in the Arctic region.

In August 2026, Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcons assumed air defence duties at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland as part of the ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission, supporting NATO’s transition toward an Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) posture.

Following this, in September 2026, the Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR) initiated Operation ARCTIC VANGUARD 26-4.2, deploying F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base to Goose Bay, Canada, to test agile combat employment in sub-zero environments.

Between September 13 and 26, 2026, the exercise expanded in Greenland. A significant milestone occurred when two Royal Danish Air Force F-35A fighters, deployed from Keflavik Air Base and supported by a French Airbus A330 MRTT for refueling, landed at Kangerlussuaq Airport. These aircraft joined four US F-16s and two Canadian F-18s at the Joint Arctic Command facility.

The mission aims to validate the ability to maneuver airpower across vast distances and sustain air superiority in austere conditions. It specifically tests interoperability between the Alaskan and Canadian NORAD regions, the Kingdom of Denmark, and NATO, supporting the ‘Nordic Bridge’ concept of the U.S. Northern Command.