Alaska Guardsmen conduct operations in frozen Beaufort Sea

Alaska Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Watson, a loadmaster with the 176th Wing’s 249th Airlift Squadron, prepares a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft for an air drop mission in the frozen Beaufort Sea before leaving Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 2, 2018. This training is linked to the Alaska National Guard’s Arctic Eagle 2018 and U.S. Navy’s Ice Exercise. The U.S. Navy equipment being dropped was palletized by U.S. Marine Corps riggers from the 1st Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. A number of Department of Defense exercises afford participating forces the opportunity to operate in a joint environment while assessing the ability to conduct sustained operations in arctic conditions including Arctic Eagle 2018, Alaskan Command’s Exercise Arctic Edge, the U.S. Army’s Arctic Pegasus, and the U.S. Navy’s ICEX. ICEX 2018 is a five-week exercise that allows the U.S. Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies and partner organizations. The exercises occur in February and March 2018, and dates for each exercise varies.

PHOTO BY: Staff Sgt. Balinda O'Neal Dresel
VIRIN: 180302-Z-CA180-0091.JPG
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