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Airmen, aircraft arrive in Sweden for Arctic Challenge 19

By Lt. Col. Jim St. Clair, 169th Fighter Wing / Published May 17, 2019

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
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U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 to participate in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. The biennial Nordic aviation exercise includes participation from Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
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U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 to participate in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. The biennial Nordic aviation exercise includes participation from Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beckham, an F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., completes aircraft status records after arriving at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 in preparation for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. SCANG F-16C aircraft, Airmen and support equipment are arriving to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden to participate in ACE 19. This is a biennial Nordic aviation exercise, and this year will include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 10

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 in preparation for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. South Carolina Air National Guard F-16C aircraft, Airmen and support equipment are arriving to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden to participate in ACE 19. This is a Nordic aviation exercise, and this year will include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 10

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 in preparation for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. South Carolina Air National Guard F-16C aircraft, Airmen and support equipment are arriving to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden to participate in ACE 19. This is a Nordic aviation exercise, and this year will include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 10

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Rose, 169th Operations Group commander and F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., completes aircraft status records after arriving at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 to participate in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. This biennial Nordic aviation exercise include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 7 of 10

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brad Steward, an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft maintainer assigned to the Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., secures an aircraft panel after the arrival of an F-16 at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 in preparation for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. South Carolina Air National Guard F-16C fighter jets, Airmen and support equipment are arriving to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden to participate in ACE 19. This is a Nordic aviation exercise, and this year will include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 8 of 10

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 to participate in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. The biennial Nordic aviation exercise includes participation from Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 9 of 10

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 to participate in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. The biennial Nordic aviation exercise includes participation from Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security.
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 10 of 10

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., arrive at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 to participate in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. The biennial Nordic aviation exercise includes participation from Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

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KALLAX AIR BASE, Sweden -- U.S. Airmen, equipment, and F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Columbia, South Carolina, arrived here today for the first day of Arctic Challenge Exercise 19 taking place throughout Norway, Sweden and Finland.

ACE19 is a biennial Nordic aviation exercise that provides a realistic training environment essential for increasing global response and interoperability between multinational forces. This year is the fourth iteration of the Swedish-led training exercise.
Service members from the South Carolina, Massachusetts, Iowa and New Jersey Air National Guard are a share of the military personnel training throughout the Nordic region. Additionally, KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the 174th Air Refueling Squadron, 185th Refueling Wing, Colonel Bud Day Field, Sioux City, Iowa, and the 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; and F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 131st Fighter Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts, will participate.

In addition to the U.S., this year’s participants include Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

“There’s some unique training airspace we don’t get to train with in South Carolina. Being just 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the high latitude means nearly 20 hours of daylight. That together with the cool weather, will set us up for some essential training.” said Maj. Shaun Hoeltje, F-16 pilot from the 169thFighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard.

This year’s exercise is intended to more closely resemble a flag-level exercise. Historically, flag-level exercises have provided vital, scenario-based training in realistic environments to prepare forces for enemy defensive systems.

“The SEAD mission, suppression of enemy air defenses, is a fairly unique mission in the Air National Guard. Practicing air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics with our allied partners is essential to being able to respond to any threat, and ensure global support to operations,” Hoeltje said.

The U.S. Air Force will support the development of this European-based exercise by leveraging individual expertise and contributing to discussions about command and control, information sharing, secure communications and scenario development.
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