JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — When Marines and Sailors needed to move thousands of miles into the Arctic for Exercise Arctic Edge 25, Marine Transport Squadron 1 (VMR-1) answered the call.
VMR-1, part of Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, provides mission-sensitive long-range air transport and logistical support for personnel and cargo across combatant commands and theaters of war.
During Arctic Edge 25, that mission has meant flying Marines and equipment from both coasts of the United States directly into Alaska.
“VMR-1’s mission during Arctic Edge 25 is to provide long-range air transport of Marine Corps unit personnel and cargo from east coast and west coast military bases to JBER in Anchorage,” said Maj. Jaenke, flight operations officer for VMR-1. “We are moving the participating units from their home bases to Alaska and retrograding them back post-exercise. By using our organic C-40As instead of commercial air, we help the military save hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Over the course of the exercise, VMR-1’s single C-40A (a military version of the Boeing 737-700) has flown 53,000 nautical miles, moving 498 personnel and 70,000 pounds of cargo, including hazardous materials such as weapons and grenades.
The mission is not just about logistics; it is also about sharpening Marine readiness.
“Arctic Edge is going very well so far,” Jaenke said. “We have increased currency and proficiency for Marine aircrews, from loadmasters and crew chiefs to pilots, while directly supporting the units on the ground.”
Lt. Col. Best, VMR-1 executive officer, emphasized what makes this exercise unique for the squadron.
“For us it’s really fun because as a NALO (Navy Air Logistics Office) force we probably lift the Navy 90 percent of the time,” Best said. “So when we get to be out here as Marines lifting Marines it is something that is special for us.”
With its ability to move large numbers of passengers and heavy cargo quickly across vast distances, VMR-1 fills a vital niche in Marine Corps airlift capability.
“Like the C-130, we move people and cargo,” Jaenke said. “Our forte is that we can do it faster. We can move Sailors and Marines over thousands of miles, even across oceans, directly to the fight or exercise in a short amount of time.”
Exercise Arctic Edge 25, led by U.S. Northern Command, brings together U.S. military forces, allied nations and interagency partners across Alaska to test joint readiness in extreme Arctic conditions. For VMR-1, it has been a proving ground for logistics and a chance to demonstrate the speed, reach and reliability Marine aviation brings to the fight.
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2025 13:01 |
| Story ID: | 546337 |
| Location: | ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, VMR-1 Airlifts Marines and Equipment for Arctic Edge 25, by LCpl Edward Spears, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
