Exercise Northern Edge

A USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon participating in Northern Edge 2011

Exercise Northern Edge is a military joint training exercise conducted by the United States Armed Forces in the Gulf of Alaska. ^[1] Alaskan Command (ALCOM) uses Alaskan training ranges to conduct this operation. ^{[2] [3]}

History

Jack Frost 1975–1979

The Jack Frost was composed of three exercitations held in 1975, 1976 and 1979. The first of these was Jack Frost '75, an Alaskan Command-sponsored exercise. The second is Jack Frost '76, it has exercises sponsored by the United States Readiness Command.

This year,^{[ when? ]} units from the 9th Infantry Division from Ft. Lewis included the 3/34FA and 2/47 Infantry deployed in the field to test cold weather operations. In 1976, a detachment of the 337th Army Security Agency Company provided electronic warfare training which included electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), and communications security. ^{[3] [4]}

US Readiness Command learned that the nickname, Jack Frost, was prohibited by JCS publications. The command received approval for the name Brim Frost, and the final Jack Frost exercise ran in 1979. ^[3]

Brim Frost 1981–1989

Brim Frost was composed of five exercises. The first, Brim Frost '81, held in 1981, was sponsored by US Readiness Command. Brim Frost '83 was conducted from 10 January to 11 February 1983. Brim Frost '85 began 10 December 1984 and concluded 24 January 1985, with more than 18,000 military troops participating. These operations exercised the ability of Joint Task Force Alaska to conduct winter operations. ^{[2] [5]}

Brim Frost '87 had 24,000 Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy personnel. More than 143 Air Force aircraft, 130 Army aircraft, and five major Coast Guard cutters were employed during Brim Frost '87. Brim Frost '89, sponsored by Forces Command had more than 26,000 troops and cost $15 million. This exercise involved numerous communications initiatives such as Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, satellites, and electronic intelligence. ^{[2] [5] [ dead link ‍]}

Brim Frost '89 aimed to include more than 26,000 troops; however, nearly all of the units dropped out of the exercise following the crash due to extreme weather of a Canadian C-130 military transport plane and the death of 9 Canadians at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. ^[6] The only units to participate were the 4th and 5th Battalions of the US Army's 9th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, some units of the Alaska National Guard and their necessary support units, and the 2nd Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment who were deployed to Kodiak Island.^{[ citation needed ]}

Arctic Warrior 1991

Arctic Warrior '91 replaced the Brim Frost exercises with the reestablishment of Alaska Command in 1990. It also transferred the exercise sponsorship from Forces Command to Pacific Command. The exercise ran from 25 January to 6 February 1991. It featured live fire and had more than 10,000 troops participating. ^{[2] [3]}

Northern Edge 1993–2004

The first Northern Edge exercise took place in 1993. This exercise was scaled in comparison. ALCOM designed it to be an internal training event for the headquarters and component headquarters staff. ^[7] The Northern Edge '94 field training exercise from 11 to 18 March 1994, involved more than 14,600 military personnel. ALCOM activated the joint task force Northern Edge in response to a simulated National Command Authority mission that provided forces to conduct peace enforcement operations. ^[8] Northern Edge '95 and '96 each consisted of three phases and included more than 14,000 personnel who participated in the joint exercise.^{[ citation needed ]} The Northern Edge '97, with more than 9,000 personnel, divided its field training into two parts, held in different locations. Major air and ground maneuvers were held at Fort Greely. The naval harbor defense portion was held at Seward, Alaska.^{[ citation needed ]}

Northern Edge '98 began with a mass airborne drop of 600 troops in training areas southeast of Fairbanks, while maritime forces began protecting the harbor in Ketchikan. The mock town of Simpsonville was used for joint live fire exercises. Apache helicopters supported a brigade air assault, and more than 1,200 sorties assisted in air operations. The USS Ingraham (FFG-61) was the high-value unit for the port security portion of the exercise and the US Marine Corps Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) was the main defender alongside the Navy and Coast Guard.^{[ citation needed ]} The Northern Edge '99 included a night airborne mass jump, a brigade air assault, more than 1,200 air sorties flown, theatre missile defense, harbor defense, and a three-day-and-night live fire at Simpsonville. The harbor defense exercise was conducted in Seward, with US Navy, Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy units participating. The USMC Reserve Unit from Anchorage provided opposition force assets for the harbor defense portion of the exercise.^{[ citation needed ]}

During Northern Edge 2000, there were a number of live-fire exercises. A theatre missile defense cell took part in the exercise by conducting anti-ballistic missile operations against a simulated attack. Global Hawk, an unmanned aerial vehicle, provided commanders with near real-time aerial imagery.^{[ citation needed ]} The Northern Edge 2001 facilitated joint operations in a cold climate.^{[ citation needed ]} Northern Edge 2002 trained the crews from an aircraft carrier and its accompanying support ships. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) operated from the Gulf of Alaska, and its aircraft, including the new F-18 Super Hornet, flew into the interior of the state. The area around Valdez served as the backdrop for the maritime activities and ground defense maneuvers, which focused on protecting the visiting USS Dubuque (LPD-8) and the Valdez Marine Terminal.^{[ citation needed ]} The war in Iraq forced the Northern Edge 2003 to contract.^{[ citation needed ] [9] [10]}

Northern Edge 2004–2006

More than 9,000 people participated in Northern Edge 2004, which focused on air-centric tactics and personnel recovery operations in remote areas of the Pacific Alaska Range Complex near Fairbanks, Alaska, and over water in the Gulf. ^[11] While traditionally held in the cold weather months, for 2004, Northern Edge was moved to June to accommodate the worldwide scheduling of combat forces and availability of the carrier strike group. ^[12] Held from 7 June through 16 June 2004. Along with aircraft from Carrier Group Seven, several other air units participated, including the Pacific Air Forces, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from Okinawa, Japan, ^[12] and fighter units from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.^{[ citation needed ]}

The carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) paid a port visit to Esquimalt, British Columbia, between 18–21 June 2004, and carried out bilateral exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy between 22–29 June 2004. ^[13] Carrier Strike Group Three also paid a port visit to Pearl Harbor between 22–26 June 2004, prior to RIMPAC 2004. ^[14]

After more than a year of planning and preparation, the US Northern Command with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and others conducted Alaska Shield and Northern Edge 2005. Northern Edge 2005 took place from 15 to 19 August 2005. It was combined with the State of Alaska's homeland security exercise called Alaska Shield. Scenario elements included an earthquake in Juneau, bio-terrorism in Ketchikan and Juneau, critical infrastructure protection at Fort Greely refinery, and terrorist attacks in various cities throughout Alaska. ^[15]

Northern Edge 2006 was a joint training exercise from 5 to 16 June 2006. Approximately 5,000 US active duty and reserve component participated by executing defensive counter-air, close-air support, air interdiction of maritime targets and personnel recovery missions. The exercise involved over 110 aircraft and two US Navy destroyers, namely the USS Chafee (DDG-90) out of Seward and the USS O'Kane (DDG-77) out of Homer.^{[ citation needed ]}

Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2007–2009

Northern Edge 2007 combined with Alaska Shield took place from 30 April to 17 May 2007. This involves more than 75 agencies and approximately 7,000 people. Military and civilian participants worked together to intercept aircraft, respond to attacks on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and the North Pole Industrial Complex, and conduct medical evacuations after mass casualties incidents. ^{[16] [17]} Northern Edge 2008 was held from 5 to 16 May 2008. More than 5,000 participants from five service branches of the United States Armed Forces were involved. ^[18]

USS John C. Stennis (19 June 2009)

Operation Northern Edge 2009 was held between 15–26 June 2009. ^[19] This joint exercise has about 9,000 US active-duty and reserve component military personnel participating. It was designed to be an air-centric exercise, with more than 200 aircraft from every branch of the US military involved. Lt. General Dana T. Atkins, USAF, the commanding general of Alaskan Command and Eleventh Air Force, noted:

Northern Edge is the premier exercise conducted within the Pacific Command's area of responsibility. It lets our joint military men learn about each other. ^[20]

Northern Edge operations were conducted within the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which includes more than 60,000 square miles (155,400 square kilometers) of air space, and the Gulf of Alaska, which encompasses 50,000 square miles (129,500 square kilometers) of air space. ^[19] On 22 June 2009, during the Northern Edge exercise, Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin visited the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John C. Stennis. ^[21] Stennis was the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Three, which also consisted of Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and the guided-missile cruiser Antietam. ^[19]

Northern Edge 2015–present

USS Lake Erie (left), USS Decatur (top right) and, USCGC Bertholf during Operation Northern Edge, 2011

The 2013 exercise was cancelled due to budget sequestration in 2013. The military did not publicly announce the dates for Northern Edge '15, and a Freedom of Information Act request was required. Several Southcentral communities held protests in May. ^[22] The City Council of Cordova, Alaska, passed a resolution to formally oppose the Navy's training exercises.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt participated in Northern Edge 2019. Approximately 10,000 US military personnel participated in Northern Edge 2019. It is a joint training exercise hosted by US air forces, which was held on 13 May 2019, in central Alaska.

In 2021, US units, including one carrier strike group and the Makin Island amphibious, embarked on the 15th marine expeditionary unit. The exercise is designed to provide realistic warfighter training and develop joint interoperability. This is done by providing a venue large enough for large force training and multi-domain operations and training that focuses on tactical parts

Northern Edge 23-1 was a multinational multi-service training exercise that consisted of the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force held from 4 to 19 May 2023. The exercise director, US Air Force Brig. Gen. David Piffarerio, described the inclusion of allies and partners as the "central role" to "effectively deter our strategic competitors." ^{[23] [24]}

References

1. Anchorage, Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media (1 May 2023). "Alaska critics oppose Northern Edge, but this Navy commander says the military exercise is much needed". Alaska Public Media. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
2. "Northern Edge History". Elmendorf Air Force Base website. Archived from the original on 22 March 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
3. "Northern Edge – Eagle Country". Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
4. "Northern Edge". www.globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
5. "Northern Edge History". Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Retrieved 15 May 2023.^{[ dead link ‍]}
6. Pennell, John (29 January 2019). "U.S. Army Alaska Marks Anniversary of C-130 Crash". Alaska Native News. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
7. Holt, Jack (16 May 2007). "Stressed to the Seams, Alaska Shield still holds its Northern Edge". National Guard. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
8. Marines: Almanac '94 Special Edition. 1994. p. 25.
9. "Northern Edge 2002 Headlines". Alaskan Command Public Affairs. Elmendorf Air Force Base website. 3 May 2002. Archived from the original on 4 December 2002. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
10. Morelle, Army Capt. Catherine. "Northern Edge 2002 Focuses On Civil Defense In Valdez". Alaskan Command Public Affairs (Post-9/11 civilian involvement in planning/executing/participating in Northern Edge 2002). VALDEZ, Alaska: Elmendorf Air Force Base website. Archived from the original on 14 December 2002. Retrieved 26 January 2025. Although Northern Edge 2002 ... was scheduled prior to September 11, there was speculation that real-world defense obligations would cancel the annual exercise altogether, according to Air Force Master Sgt. Angel Newman, Alaskan Command Public Affairs.
11. "Northern Edge 2004". www.globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
12. Journalist 2nd Class Gabriel Owens, USN (21 June 2004). "'Stennis' Strike Group Completes Exercise in Alaska". NNS040621-05. USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
13. Captain Captain David H. Buss, USN (14 February 2005). "2004 Command History, Enclosure (2): Command History for USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) for period 1 January to 31 December 2004" (PDF). John C. Stennis CVN-74. Washington, DC: Naval History & Heritage Command. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2010. Hereafter referred to as 2004 Command History
14. 2004 Command History, p. 6.
15. "Northern Edge 2005". www.globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
16. "Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2007 interagency exercise kicks-off". Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
17. "Northern Edge 2007". www.globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
18. "Northern Edge 2008 (NE08) Exercise Underway". Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
19. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Owsley, USN (17 June 2009). "Joint Exercise Northern Edge Ensures Maritime Security". NNS090617-06. USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
20. Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller, USAF (4 July 2009). "Sun Sets on Exercise Northern Edge 2009". NNS090704-14. Northern Edge Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2009.
21. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Owsley, USN (24 June 2009). "Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Visits Stennis". 6/24/2009. USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
22. Zachariah Hughes, KSKA (26 June 2015). "Northern Edge' gets mixed welcome in Alaska". KTOO Public Media. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
23. "Northern Edge Exercise: Strengthening International Cooperation and Combat Readiness". U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
24. "Northern Edge 23-1: Alaska's Role in Joint Forces Readiness". Pacific Air Forces. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.

External links

 This article incorporates public domain material from Northern Edge History. United States Air Force.