Earlier this month, the 354th Fighter Wing conducted readiness exercise called Arctic Gold 26-1 at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. During the exercise, the F-35, F-16, and F-18 fighters were utilized to test their specific mission capabilities.
"A lot of work and planning was put into getting this exercise to run efficiently and effectively, taking into account all of the separate factors that affect the way things play out and what we can accomplish towards the mission," explained Air Force Master Sgt. Zachary Kugler, who was the exercise program director.
The air wing is tasked with providing combat air power to combatant commanders in the region, as they have to cover the Arctic and the Pacific theaters of operation. However, the real purpose of the exercise was not to test power projection into these regions but rather to test the air wing's ability to sustain combat operations in a high-threat environment, and in one of the harshest climates known to man.
"Every exercise gives us data, but Arctic Gold gave us clarity; our priorities are centered on sharpening the logistics foundations of our wing that makes us a combat-credible force," said Air Force Lt. Col. Peter Daigle.