News Stories

graphic with USAF aircraft and emblems on a U.S. flag background for Virtual Flag: Homeland Defense exercise

April 19, 2022

VIRTUAL FLAG: Homeland Defense exercise sharpens skills, deters enemy aggression

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The VIRTUAL FLAG 22-2 homeland defense exercise was successfully executed at the 705th Combat Training Squadron’s Distributed Mission Operation Center, or DMOC, located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and distributed locations around the world from March 28 – April 1.

Green Berets with 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) load snowmobiles onto a Royal Canadian Air Force C-130 Hercules during Exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2022 in Wainwright, Alaska, March 12, 2022. AE22 is a biennial, binational exercise designed to provide realistic and effective training for participants using the premier training locations available throughout Alaska, February 28 – March 17. (DoD photo)

March 18, 2022

ARCTIC EDGE 22 comes to a close

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — U.S. Northern Command’s exercise Arctic Edge 22 came to a close March 16 across the state of Alaska. Hosted by Alaskan Command, the bi-national, multi-service exercise is held every two years with roots going back more than five decades to a shared commitment to the defense of North America.

Soldiers assigned to Task Force Liberty wave goodbye to Afghan guests.

March 17, 2022

DOD ceases Afghan Evacuee Safe Haven operations at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — U.S. Northern Command concluded DoD installation support to Operation Allies Welcome with the closure of safe haven operations at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 15.

A middle school Spanish teacher, receives her COVID-19 vaccine.

March 1, 2022

Military hospital support to FEMA to begin in Utah, continues in several states

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, one team of approximately 20 military medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists, will deploy to the state of Utah to support civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.

Spc. Kiyana Santamaria, left, an Army motor transport operator, and Spc. Jessica Koroma, a religious affairs specialist with 377th Transportation Company, 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, interacts with Afghan children while serving as a member of a female engagement team in support of Operation Allies Welcome at Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico, Sept. 11, 2021. FETs assist female Afghan guests with navigating in processing procedures and other issues and concerns they may have. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina Westover, 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element)

Feb. 19, 2022

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of All Afghan Nationals from U.S. Military Bases

WASHINGTON — Operation Allies Welcome announced that all remaining Afghan evacuees have departed Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where they have been temporarily housed since evacuating Afghanistan, to be resettled in their new communities across the nation.

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Christopher Michon, left, assigned to 773d Transportation Company, Fort Totten, New York, verifies an Afghan evacuee’s information during winter gear distribution at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Dec. 13, 2021.

Feb. 16, 2022

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

WASHINGTON — Today, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.

At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approximately 90 military medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists are continuing to deploy in six teams to three states to support civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients

Feb. 11, 2022

Military hospital support to FEMA to begin in Massachusetts, expand in Arizona, Maine

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approximately 90 military medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists are continuing to deploy in six teams to three states to support civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.

Paratroopers from C Troop, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment jump into Donnelly Drop Zone Feb. 29, 2020, from a Royal Canadian Air Force C-130 as part of Arctic Edge 2020. As a Homeland Defense exercise, AE20 is designed to provide high quality and effective training in the extreme cold-weather conditions found in Arctic environments. The exercise is conducted under the authority of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. AE20 is the largest joint exercise scheduled in Alaska this year. (Army photo/John Pennell)

Feb. 8, 2022

Alaskan Command Prepares for Exercise Arctic Edge 2022

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaskan Command will conduct ARCTIC EDGE, a biennial exercise, Feb. 28 – March 17. ARCTIC EDGE is designed to provide realistic and effective training for participants using the premier training locations available throughout Alaska. Alaskan Command has successfully operated in the Arctic and defended Alaska for more than 70 years.

A sailor with Task Force Pickett, assists an Afghan evacuee during their final departure at Fort Pickett, Virginia on Feb. 1, 2022. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Intriago)

Feb. 3, 2022

Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort Pickett, Virginia

FORT PICKETT, Va. — The last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Fort Pickett, Virginia as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.

A man wearing a face mask, gloves and medical gown holds an oxygen tank.

Feb. 3, 2022

Military hospital support to FEMA to begin in four states, expands in two states

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approximately 220 military medical personnel, including medical doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists have deployed, or will deploy within the next two weeks, in fourteen teams to six states to support civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.

ABOUT

MISSIONS

INFORMATION

U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND