US, allied forces strengthen Arctic readiness during exercise Cold Response 26

Published March 23, 2026
By Senior Master Sgt. Megan Crusher
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

BARDUFOSS AIR STATION, Norway (AFNS) --

U.S. Air Force Airmen, alongside Norwegian and allied partners, successfully concluded participation in exercise Cold Response 26, a Norwegian-led multinational training event designed to enhance collective defense, sharpen warfighting skills and reinforce deterrence capabilities in the high north.

F-35 Lighting II flying during exercise Cold Response. — A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off for exercise Cold Response at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, March 5, 2026. The exercise is designed to strengthen U.S. and allied combat power, sustain lethal forces, deter hostile actions and contribute to global security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sierra Casteel)

The exercise brought together more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel from over a dozen NATO nations across all domains operating from locations throughout Norway, Sweden and Finland. U.S. Air Force forces integrated with allies to execute high-intensity scenarios that tested interoperability and readiness in harsh Arctic conditions.

“During Cold Response, we are able to help strengthen the alliance by practicing and integrating with the other partners, from the mission planning to the actual execution at the squadron level,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dustin Merritt, 493rd Fighter Squadron commander.

F-35A Lightning IIs from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, operating out of Ørland Air Force Station, Norway, flew alongside Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s assigned to the 123rd Luftving, integrating advanced fifth generation fighter capabilities across allied forces. Together they conducted demanding training, including complex night operations, to strengthen collective combat capability.

The air combat picture was further enhanced by Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornets, from the 211th Fighter Squadron, and Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripens from Karelia Air Wing, expanding the scope of multinational integration and reinforcing allied interoperability in complex and challenging scenarios.

Finnish and U.S. air forces participate in exercise Cold Response 26. — A Finnish Air Force member and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Martin Stiller, 493rd Fighter Generation Squadron tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, discuss elements of a Finnish Air Force F/A-18C Hornet aircraft assigned to the Karelia Air Wing at Ørland Air Force Station, Norway, March 13, 2026. Training as one unified, lethal force during exercise Cold Response 26 ensured NATO allies and partners were prepared to safeguard and protect critical infrastructure important to both European and American interests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff. Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

U.S. Air Force Airman conducts pre-flight checks. — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lyle Lacson, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, conducts pre-flight checks for a KC-135 Stratotanker at Sola Air Base, Norway, March 14, 2026. Cold Response demonstrated the advanced level of integration achieved between U.S. and NATO forces – enabling seamless communication, shared multi-domain awareness, and coordinated action across all domains. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason W. Cochran)

Finnish and U.S. air forces participate in exercise Cold Response in Norway. — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jose Maldonado Cruz, 493rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman, and a Finnish Air Force pilot, discuss flying a Finnish Air Force F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Ørland Air Force Station, Norway, March 13, 2026. Exercise Cold Response 26 leveraged decades of combined experience, mutual understanding and the long-standing partnership between allied nations to seamlessly integrate forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff. Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

Enabling these sustained air operations, KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, provided aerial refueling support, extending the range and endurance of U.S. and allied aircraft.

“Air-to-air refueling is an inherently a dangerous job because you’re flying two or more airplanes very, very close together in proximity, so it takes a lot of preplanning, mission planning and coordination prior to, and good communication with our NATO allies and partners,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jeff Chae, KC-135 pilot, with the 100th ARW. “Overall, I think the exercise really helps us to practice what we play and strengthens the NATO alliance, making us a more cohesive and capable force.”

Complementing this capability, HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 23rd Wing, stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, also conducted in-air refueling with Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripens, expanding the reach and flexibility of multinational combat air operations.

In addition to refueling, HC-130J crews also supported combat search and rescue missions alongside Airmen assigned to the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, from Aviano Air Base, Italy. From Bardufoss Air Station, these units trained with Swedish Air Force Rangers to execute personnel recovery operations in austere Arctic conditions. Using HH-60W Jolly Green IIs from the 56th RQS, the integrated team conducted hoist, rappelling and simulated recovery missions, strengthening their ability to locate, treat and extract isolated personnel.

An Air Force helicopter flies between snowy mountains over a body of water while releasing flares, leaving behind trails of smoke in a blue sky. — A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II releases flares during combat search and rescue training with Swedish air force rangers as part of Cold Response in Norway, March 13, 2026. The exercise was designed to strengthen rapid response capabilities and resilient sustainment in the high north, reinforcing NATO's collective defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brooke Rogers)

Sustaining U.S. Air Force operations, maintainers across all participating units ensured aircraft survivability and mission readiness despite extreme Arctic conditions. Working in freezing temperatures, high winds, rain and snow, they kept aircraft mission-capable across the Arctic, enabling aircrews and rescue crews the ability to execute complex missions.

Together, these efforts demonstrated NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy, integrate and sustain combat-ready forces in the high north, reinforcing a unified and capable defensive alliance. By strengthening stability in a vital region of the European theater, Cold Response enhances the ability to defend the homeland by deterring potential threats before they reach U.S. borders.

"By exercising in Cold Response, the ability to execute missions rapidly and flexibly is one of the byproducts of this," Merritt said. "It sends a message that we're ready as part of NATO to deter and defend whatever we need to when the time arises."