Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH) came to Western Alaska in August for Operation Polar Dagger. Phase one of the operation took place on and around Saint Lawrence Island, and phase two focused on mainland Alaska, especially Nome, Wales, and Tin City.
Operation Polar Dagger is designed to showcase the rapid deployment capabilities of US Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the Alaskan Arctic. Throughout the exercise, SOF trained on infiltration and exfiltration, long-range movements, air-to-ground integration, and other operations. Soldiers also focused on defense of critical infrastructure, rapid resupply, low-level navigation, and domain awareness.
Various Army, Air Force, and National Guard units converged on Western Alaska from Colorado, North Carolina, and Florida to participate in the exercise. Operation Polar Dagger has trained Special Forces in the sub-arctic and arctic since 2021.
