COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. \u2013\u00a0American and Canadian personnel and aircraft from all three North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) regions (Alaska, Canada, and continental United States), led by the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR), have commenced redeployment activities from\u00a0Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, following\u00a0Operation NOBLE DEFENDER (OND). While the main aspects of the operation are now complete, a contingent of NORAD personnel and aircraft will remain at Pituffik Space Base until the end of the week while multi-day redeployment occurs.<\/p>\n
From Jan. 21 to Feb. 3, 2026, NORAD personnel formed a binational Air Task Force in support of Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, an event which occurs at planned intervals across the North American continent. This iteration enhanced NORAD\u2019s defense capabilities in the Arctic and is built on long-standing defensive cooperation between the United States and Canada as well as the Kingdom of Denmark. The operation strengthened NORAD\u2019s ability to deter, detect, and, if necessary, defeat emerging threats to North America\u2019s air approaches.<\/p>\n
\u00a0First designated a NORAD operation in 2018, Operation NOBLE DEFENDER demonstrates NORAD\u2019s ability to defend the approaches to North America, integrate capabilities across multiple domains, and preserve capacity for follow-on operations. Operating from forward locations such as Greenland is a normal and established part of NORAD activity to ensure aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for Canada and the United States. <\/p>\n
As in previous iterations of Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, a Danish CL-604 Challenger was available on standby to provide additional search and rescue capabilities. For the first time during Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, the Royal Danish Air Force completed complementary, adjacent air defense activities demonstrating the collective defense of allies in the Arctic.<\/p>\n
The operation included 157\u00a0American and Canadian personnel from the\u00a0Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR),\u00a0Canadian NORAD Region (CANR), and\u00a0Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR). Participating NORAD aircraft included the CF-18 Hornet, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-46 Pegasus, and CH-149 Cormorant.<\/p>\n
These forces were supported by\u00a0maintenance, logistics, and command and control elements, enabling sustained operations in challenging Arctic conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Operating from Pituffik Space Base provides NORAD with additional flexibility to position forces in the Northern approaches to North America, and provides valuable experience in the harsh Arctic conditions. \u00a0During the operation, personnel conducted missions in extreme cold-weather conditions, with temperatures routinely reaching -13 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 Celsius) and wind chills as low as -36 degees Fahrenheit (-38 Celsius). Despite these conditions, aircrews, maintainers, and support personnel executed missions safely and effectively, underscoring NORAD\u2019s ability to operate in diverse and demanding environments.<\/p>\n
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Quotes<\/p>\n
\u201cOperation NOBLE DEFENDER highlights the strength of NORAD\u2019s integrated American and Canadian team and our ability to operate effectively in the Arctic. By bringing together personnel, aircraft, and capabilities from across all three NORAD regions, we continue to sharpen our readiness to defend North America. Our ability to operate from Greenland, in close coordination with our Danish partners, the Joint Arctic Command, and local Inussuk contractors, was a key part of achieving mission success \u2013 a real demonstration of cooperation between partners and allies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0-Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Setter, ATF Commander<\/p>\n
Quick Facts\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n NORAD is the world\u2019s only bi-national command charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for the United States and Canada.
\n NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to defend North America.
\n Operation NOBLE DEFENDER occurs at planned intervals to maintain readiness and interoperability with allies and partners.\u00a0
\n All Operation NOBLE DEFENDER activities in Greenland are planned well in advance and are conducted in cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark, which has sovereignty responsibility for Greenland.\u00a0
\n All forces supporting Operation NOBLE DEFENDER operate with the requisite diplomatic clearances, and the Government of Greenland is also informed of planned activities. NORAD works closely with Danish authorities during operations from locations in Greenland, and we maintain open lines of communication with local and national partners.
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Contacts: For further information, please contact NORAD Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or via email at n-ncpa.omb@mail.mil<\/a>.<\/p>\n For questions pertaining to activity by the Kingdom of Denmark, please contact: insert Danish POC<\/p>\n For questions directed to the U.S. regarding U.S.\/Kingdom of Denmark relations, please contact the State Department<\/a>. For questions directed to Canada regarding Canada\/Kingdom of Denmark relations, please contact Global Affairs Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Imagery<\/p>\n DVIDS Operation NOBLE DEFENDER Feature Page<\/a><\/p>\n Social Media<\/p>\n NORAD: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NORADCommand\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/NORADCommand<\/a><\/p>\n ANR: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALCOMANR<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0https:\/\/twitter.com\/ANRALCOM<\/a><\/p>\n CANR: https:\/\/twitter.com\/RCAFOperations<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RCAF.ARC<\/a><\/p>\n CONR: www.facebook.com\/FirstAirForce<\/a>\u00a0www.facebook.com\/AmericasAOC<\/a><\/p>\n www.twitter.com\/1stAF<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0Additional links:<\/p>\n