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U.S. Airmen assigned to the 204th Airlift Squadron and Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division prepare to conduct an airborne operation during Arctic Predictable Iron ’26 over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 17, 2026. The training allowed paratroopers to refine airborne insertion procedures while Air Force aircrews practiced the precise delivery of personnel over austere terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division jump from a C-17 Globemaster III during Arctic Predictable Iron 26’, over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026. The exercise included five days of rapid movement training and airdrop-related operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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Hawaii Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Alex Blankenship, 204th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, looks out the door of a C-17 Globemaster III before a static line air drop over Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, July 17, 2026. Arctic Predictable Iron ’26 tested the participating units’ ability to deploy airborne forces across Alaska’s complex terrain rapidly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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A U.S. Paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, prepares to land during an airdrop operation as part of Arctic Predictable Iron ’26 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026. The exercise enhanced airborne readiness and strengthened coordination between Army paratroopers and Air Force aircrews operating in Alaska’s challenging environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, prepare a M777A2 medium towed howitzer for a dry fire exercise at Donnelly Landing Zone, Alaska, July 13, 2026. The training tested the unit’s ability to rapidly position, prepare, and operate artillery equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, stands watch during a dry fire exercise at Donnelly Landing Zone, Alaska, July 13, 2026. The exercise allowed Soldiers to strengthen their field artillery operations and security procedures skills in preparation for real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, conduct field operations during a dry fire exercise at Donnelly Landing Zone, Alaska, July 13, 2026. Arctic Predictable Iron ‘26 strengthened interoperability between U.S. Air Force aircrews and Army airborne forces while enhancing rapid deployment capabilities within austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Airmen and Soldiers tie down a M777A2 medium towed howitzer inside a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 13, 2026. The howitzer was loaded onto the aircraft in preparation for a semi-prepared runway operation with the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division fly in a C-17 Globemaster III during Arctic Predictable Iron ‘26 at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska, July 17, 2026. The joint exercise integrated U.S. Air Force airlift capabilities with U.S. Army airborne operations to enhance interoperability and combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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260715-F-RN563-1102

U.S. Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, parachute from a C-17 Globemaster III during an airdrop as part of Arctic Predictable Iron ’26 over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026. The exercise strengthened joint interoperability by integrating Air Force airlift capabilities with Army airborne operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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260715-F-RN563-1028

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, carries his equipment to an assigned assembly area following an airdrop during Arctic Predictable Iron ’26 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026. The exercise tested the unit’s ability to assemble and continue operations after an airborne insertion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron and 204th Airlift Squadron, as well as Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, pose for a group photo at Donnelly Landing Zone, Alaska, July 13, 2026. During Arctic Predictable Iron ‘26, Air Force aircrews practiced low-level flight and cargo operations while Soldiers refined airborne insertion and field artillery procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, prepare an M777A2 medium towed howitzer for a dry fire exercise at Donnelly Landing Zone, Alaska, July 13, 2026. The training reinforced the Soldiers’ ability to deliver artillery support while allowing pilots and loadmasters to sharpen their skills in unfamiliar terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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Arctic Predictable Iron 2026

Published July 28, 2026
By Senior Airman Lauren Torres
15th Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- U.S. Airmen assigned to the 204th Airlift Squadron and Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division prepare to conduct an airborne operation during Arctic Predictable Iron ’26 over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 17, 2026. The training allowed paratroopers to refine airborne insertion procedures while Air Force aircrews practiced the precise delivery of personnel over austere terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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