Top U.S. special ops units held a major exercise off Alaska, 45 miles from Russia
Polar Dagger brought several top special ops units from the Army, Air Force and Navy to a small Alaskan island closer to Russia than the U.S. mainland.
Joshua Skovlund
Posted on Aug 1, 2024 7:38 PM EDT
6 minute read
U.S. Army MH-60M helicopters, assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), land on the USS John L. Canley (ESB 6), a U.S. Navy Expeditionary Sea Base ship
Some of America’s elite special operations forces held a major exercise off the coast of Alaska from July 5 to Aug. 2, 2024, bringing together some of the most secretive units and equipment from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Photos released by the Pentagon this week show that the exercise brought together stealthy MH-60 helicopters from the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Naval Special Warfare SEALs, Combatant Craft Assault boats and ScanEagle drones and rarely seen Air Force C-146 Wolfhound transport aircraft. Officials with Northern Command told Task & Purpose that the exercise also included an Austere Resuscitative Surgical Team from the Army 528th Special Operations Sustainment Brigade.
“Special Operations Command North has discovered that in each location in which we operate there are unique challenges to overcome, especially in the extreme cold weather environments of the High North,” a NORTHCOM spokesperson said. “Some of these challenges include how to manage liquids, from water to medical supplies, and how to keep aircraft and other ground maneuver equipment functioning in sub-zero temperatures.”
Officials said the exercise saw no interference from Russian military assets. But the troops assumed they were being watched.
https://taskandpurpose.com/military-life/operation-polar-dagger-2024/
