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NEWS | Sept. 11, 2024

Alaska Guard Joins Polar Dagger Special Ops Exercise

By Maj. AnnMarie Annicelli, Polar Operations 2024

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Alaska Army National Guard participated in Operation Polar Dagger Aug. 15-25, helping Special Operations Command North rapidly deploy and operate in the Arctic.

Special Operations Command North deployed U.S. Special Operations Forces to the North American Arctic to operate in and around Nome, Wales, Little Diomede and Tin City during the second phase of Polar Dagger. The operation demonstrated SOCNORTH’s ability to rapidly deploy joint USSOF to the Arctic and execute a range of capabilities to deter, disrupt, degrade and deny competitor activity in support of U.S. Northern Command and layered defense of the homeland.

“The Arctic is rapidly opening as a competitive and commercial space and has emerged as a focal point of geopolitical competition, with Russia and China actively asserting their interests in the region,” said U.S. Army Col. Matthew Tucker, SOCNORTH commander. 

Tucker said each iteration of Operation Polar Dagger enables SOCNORTH to become familiar with the different terrain and environments across the Alaskan theater, which leads to refined response options for USNORTHCOM and National Command Authorities.

During this phase of Operation Polar Dagger, participants included approximately 70 USSOF from SOCNORTH, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 492nd Special Operations Wing, 23rd Special Operations Weather Squadron, and the Alaska Army National Guard, 207th Aviation Regiment. The participants conducted infil/exfil operations, long-range movements, air-to-ground integration, defense of critical infrastructure, rapid resupply, domain awareness activities, medical evacuation validation, and engaged with Alaskan Native people and communities.

Over the two phases of Operation Polar Dagger, more than 200 USSOF, U.S. Navy and Alaska National Guard personnel traversed the breadth of the Arctic, operating collectively in the Bering Sea, Arctic Circle, Saint Lawrence Island, Nome, Wales, Little Diomede and Tin City, in all physical domains — maritime, land and air.

“The expanse of SOCNORTH and USSOF actions this summer is the greatest reach across the Arctic and physical domains during one season of operations to date,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Dorsh, SOCNORTH command senior enlisted leader. “Moving forward, SOCNORTH will analyze the operational outcomes and continue to build upon the effects we are achieving.”

OPD is an iterative operation primarily carried out during the summer months. The operation began in 2021 in support of National and Defense strategic guidance.

SOCNORTH plans and executes all-domain Special Operations to detect, deter and disrupt threats throughout the USNORTHCOM AOR and generate positions of advantage for the Nation.

 

 

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