Arctic Edge 2026 medical experimentation participants tour NOAA’s Oscar Dyson (R-224) in Kodiak [Image 22 of 37]

KODIAK, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

02.23.2026

Photo by Cameron Parks 

Operational Medical Systems

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kaitlin Salle, left, speaks with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cmdr. Carl Rhodes during a tour of the NOAA ship Oscar Dyson (R-224) during ARCTIC EDGE 2026, at Kodiak, Alaska, Feb. 23, 2026. Salle is the chief for medical plans and operations at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and lead medical experimentation officer for AE26 and Rhodes is the commanding officer of the Oscar Dyson (R-224). AE26 is a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance Joint and Allied Force interoperability in the Arctic. During Arctic Edge, team members with the Defense Health Agency’s Operational Medical Systems Program Management Office supported scenario-based medical experimentation alongside U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army medical providers, with development and acquisition experts from across combatant commands and support agencies. The scenarios were designed to assess the efficacy of lifesaving tools and treatments during military operations in the arctic region. As the nation's medical combat support agency, DHA provides integrated, joint medical capabilities to the armed forces. Arctic Edge was a premier opportunity for OPMED to highlight two critical lines of effort – burn assessment and blood replacement – as the organization continues to reshape and refine its processes to better meet the needs of the Department of War, the DHA, and combatant commands. (Defense Health Agency Photo by Cameron E. Parks/Released)

• Date Taken: 02.23.2026
• Date Posted: 02.25.2026 18:07
• Photo ID: 9533478
• VIRIN: 260223-O-XH454-3036
• Resolution: 2260x1507
• Size: 556.61 KB
• Location: KODIAK, ALASKA, US