Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      NORAD aircraft fly in support of Operation NOBLE DEFENDERNorth American Aerospace Defense Command CF-18 Hornets and F-16s Fighting Falcons fly in formation with an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system in support of Operation Noble Defender over Alaska, Aug. 24, 2023. The air component of the operation, called Operation Polar Arrow, demonstrated the ability to deploy assets in concert with special operations elements and maintain air sovereignty over North America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ricardo Sandoval)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

US, Canadian forces sharpen abilities in austere Alaskan regionPublished Sept. 20, 2023
                    
                    By John Ingle
                    
                    
                    North American Aerospace Defense Command Public Affairs
            **PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --**Air, ground and naval forces from the United States and Canada under the authority of the **North American Aerospace Defense Command** and **U.S. Northern Command** successfully completed maneuvers near Shemya, Attu and St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, Sept. 10, as part of a long-planned, bi-national operation to detect, deter and safeguard against potential threats to North America and the Arctic region.

230831-N-GG858-1092East coast based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators, SEALs, engages with an AC-130J Ghostrider as the aircraft conducts a flyover on Attu Island, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2023, as part of Operation Polar Dagger. During the operation, special operations forces projected the ability of U.S. forces to defend critical infrastructure, enhanced all-domain awareness, demonstrated operational reach, and strengthened the understanding of activity in the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










**Operation Noble Defender**, an operation supporting the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Homeland Defense Campaign plan, demonstrated their ability to operate in the dynamic Arctic region including unfavorable weather and the austere environment.

**Gen. Glen VanHerck**, commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, said as the environment continues to change, interest in the Arctic region increases and that makes the ability to execute operations there more important than ever.

“As strategic competitors take advantage of greater access and influence in the region, NORAD and USNORTHCOM must demonstrate the readiness and capability to persistently operate in the arctic,” he said. “Access to ready forces, trained and equipped to operate in the arctic is vital to the defense of North America and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous region.”

NORAD aircraft fly in support of Operation NOBLE DEFENDERNorth American Aerospace Defense Command CF-18 Hornets and F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation in support of Operation Nobe Defender over Alaska, Aug. 24, 2023. The air component of the operation, called Operation Polar Arrow, demonstrated the ability to deploy assets in concert with special operations elements, as well as the ability to maintain air sovereignty over North America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ricardo Sandoval)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









USNORTHCOM contributes additional capabilities to Operation Noble Defender events to enhance integrated deterrence across strategic opportunities.

Operation Noble Defender also included an air component, Operation Polar Arrow, to demonstrate the ability to deploy assets in concert with special operations elements, as well as the ability to maintain air sovereignty over North America.Naval Special Warfare operators fast-rope from two hovering helicopters into the mountains as an aircraft flies above.Naval Special Warfare operators fast-rope from Army MH-60M helicopters while an Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider provides overwatch during Operation Polar Dagger on Attu Island, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2023. The operation is designed to sharpen joint special operations integration and provides the forces the opportunity to test new capabilities and advance response options. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









United States and Canadian NORAD assets such as F-16 Fighting Falcons, CF-18 Hornets, **E-3 airborne warning and control system** and **KC-135 Stratotanker** demonstrated the interoperability needed by this bi-national command as part of the layered defense structure required to defend North America.

Operation Noble Defender is a recurring NORAD air defense operation that demonstrates and strengthens the command’s ability to maintain mission readiness in various environments and to preserve capacity for follow-on operations.North American Aerospace Defense Command 



U.S. Northern Command 



NORAD 



USNORTHCOM 



Operation Noble Defender 



Operation POLAR ARROW 



Operation POLAR DAGGER 



LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



f-16 



CF-18 



E-3 



KC-135 Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil