U.S. Air Force Airmen and Royal Canadian Air Force members in support of Operation Noble Defender pose for a group photo at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland. TECH SGT. CHRISTOPHER RUANO/U.S. AIR FORCE
THE WATCH STAFF
At the top of the world, the United States and Canadian Forces are conducting Operation Noble Defender (OND) in austere Arctic conditions to defend North America from adversarial threats. This recurring operation at Pituffik Space Base (SB) in Greenland is crucial to United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) efforts to defend the homelands.
OND is an air defense operation directed by NORAD designed to demonstrate the command’s ability to defend the approaches of North America from current and future threats while integrating across all domains with allies and partners. NORAD, the world’s only binational command, routinely conducts sustained, dispersed operations across the North American continent, through one or all NORAD regions (Alaska, Canada and the continental U.S.). Each consecutive OND validates and progresses the NORAD missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control. USNORTHCOM contributes additional capabilities to OND events to enhance integrated deterrence across strategic opportunities.
On February 13, 2025, the importance of Arctic campaigning was emphasized by Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of USNORTHCOM and NORAD, in his 2025 posture statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Guillot stated that “regular exercises and real-world operations in the Arctic remain critically important and generate valuable lessons learned for participants from the combatant command and components headquarters down to the operational and tactical levels. Effective operations in the Arctic require specialized training and equipment under the best conditions, and there is no substitute for real-world experience in the region.”
The goal of the OND mission is to have a persistent presence in the Arctic and conduct Arctic campaigning in support of the 2024 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy, 2024 Our North, Strong, and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence, and the 2022 U.S. National Strategy for the Arctic Region. It makes countering the moves of Russia and the Chinese Communist Party in the North American Arctic a priority as the sea ice melts and shipping lanes open. The U.S. intent is to ensure a secure and stable Arctic where all parties respect the rules-based international order.
During this year’s iteration of OND, U.S. and Canadian forces deployed to Pituffik SB from January 28 to February 11 to demonstrate the capability and intention to defend North America. The deployment included four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska and one Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue Helicopter from the 413th Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, Nova Scotia. The deployment also included one KC-135 Stratotanker from the 50th Air Refueling Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base and two KC-135 Stratotankers from the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. In addition, one Canadian CC-177 provided short-notice support to the mission from the 429th Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. In addition to moving aircraft to Pituffik and personal recovery assets, four U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Control Specialists deployed from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska and Winnipeg, Canada. Moreover, teams of maintainers and civil engineers were deployed to augment aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities. The teams worked closely with the 821st Space Group which provides day-to-day support to Pituffik SB. Finally, OND utilized the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System, which is a self-contained, mobile system designed and manufactured by Curtiss-Wright Arresting Systems/ESCO to support rapid deployment and facilitate aircraft recovery on permanent or temporary runways.
The U.S. and Canadian forces deployed to Pituffik SB operated in austere Arctic conditions and executed the OND mission despite strong winds, snow and extreme cold temperatures. Despite the challenges presented, the interoperability, inter-connectedness, dedication and perseverance of the U.S. and Canadian forces allowed them to execute the OND mission.
In summary, OND showed how U.S. and Canadian forces routinely deploy to austere Arctic forward operating locations at high latitudes to conduct sustained, dispersed operations. NORAD demonstrated its coordinated defensive capability, readiness and the seamless integration of U.S. and Canadian forces’ efforts to protect North America from adversarial threats.