U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has demonstrated a new layered Arctic homeland defense concept during Operation Tundra Merlin, integrating F-35s, F-16s, KC-135 aerial refueling, HIMARS, ground radar, and Arctic-trained troops into a single joint operation in Alaska. The exercise included a coordinated F-35/HIMARS strike against a simulated target 135 miles away, F-16s training against fifth-generation threats, and rapid deployment of mobile Army forces, highlighting how the U.S. intends to defend the increasingly strategic northern approaches to North America as Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic grows.

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U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has demonstrated a new layered Arctic homeland defense concept during Operation Tundra Merlin, integrating F-35s, F-16s, KC-135 aerial refueling, HIMARS, ground radar, and Arctic-trained troops into a single joint operation in Alaska. The exercise included a coordinated F-35/HIMARS strike against a simulated target 135 miles away, F-16s training against fifth-generation threats, and rapid deployment of mobile Army forces, highlighting how the U.S. intends to de