Photo By Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess | U.S. Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing perform forward arming and...... read more read more
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – After nearly a month of operations across Alaska’s rugged terrain, Arctic Edge 2025 came to a close, marking the successful conclusion of one of the Department of Defense’s premier Arctic readiness exercises. Air Commandos from the 27th Special Operations Wing played a pivotal role throughout the exercise, showcasing their ability to deliver specialized airpower in some of the harshest environments.
Led by North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, AE25 brought together approximately 1,100 U.S. service members, interagency partners, and allied forces from the United Kingdom and Denmark. Over the course of the exercise, the 27th SOW showcased its trademark precision, adaptability, and joint interoperability across a series of demanding missions.
Throughout the month, 27th SOW aircraft and crews enabled critical passenger and cargo movements, transporting personnel and equipment to forward remote locations across Alaska to ensure joint forces could operate where they were needed most. The wing also conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rapid infiltration (HIRAIN) with the U.S. Marine Corps, demonstrating their ability to position heavy artillery in austere conditions. Working alongside U.S. Navy Sea Air and Land (SEAL) teams, 27th SOW Air Commandos supported both military free-fall operations and a specialized “Duck Drop” resupply, deploying an inflatable raft, or “duck,” into the water via an MC-130J Commando II to provide immediate transport during water-based operations, reinforcing joint special operations integration and sustainment in the Arctic.
Beyond mobility and infiltration, the wing sharpened its lethality through low-level flight training in Alaska’s demanding terrain, enhancing its ability to deliver forces clandestinely in contested environments. The 27th SOW also partnered with U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II pilots to establish and operate a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP), extending the reach of fifth-generation fighters and proving the value of expeditionary refueling in remote locations.
For the 27th SOW, AE25 was not only about showcasing capabilities but also about strengthening trust and interoperability with joint and allied partners. By working alongside the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and international forces, Air Commandos asserted their role as a combat-ready force prepared for the unique challenges of the Arctic.
“Arctic Edge gave us the chance to demonstrate what we do best: deliver specialized airpower to enable joint capabilities where few can operate,” said the AE25 Mission Commander for the 27th SOW.
As the exercise concludes, AE25 stands as a milestone in demonstrating the U.S. military’s ability to defend the homeland in the high north. For the 27th Special Operations Wing, it was a chance to reaffirm its reputation for readiness and lethality while proving, once again, that Air Commandos are ready for any mission—any place, any time, anywhere.
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2025 13:08 |
| Story ID: | 547272 |
| Location: | ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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