Vigilant Shield 17

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker pilots with the 912th Air Refueling Squadron from March Air Force Base, Calif., prepare for a refueling mission with Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s while both units participate in the Vigilant Shield 2017 Field Training Exercise, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 20, 2016, This exercise provides crucial training opportunities for numerous military personnel with a variety of aircraft and assets from Canada and the United States to improve interoperability and to demonstrate North American Aerospace Defense Command’s ability to defend North America. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Vigilant Shield 17

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 takes part in the Vigilant Shield 2017 Field Training Exercise Oct. 20, 2016, in the high Arctic. This exercise provides crucial training opportunities for numerous military personnel with a variety of aircraft and assets from Canada and the United States to improve interoperability and to demonstrate North American Aerospace Defense Command’s ability to defend North America.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Vigilant Shield 17

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker flown by the 912th Air Refueling Squadron from March Air Force Base, Calif., while both units participate in the Vigilant Shield 2017 Field Training Exercise Oct. 20, 2016, in the high Arctic. This exercise provides crucial training opportunities for numerous military personnel with a variety of aircraft and assets from Canada and the United States to improve interoperability and to demonstrate North American Aerospace Defense Command’s ability to defend North America. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Vigilant Shield 17

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker flown by the 912th Air Refueling Squadron from March Air Force Base, Calif., while both units participate in the Vigilant Shield 2017 Field Training Exercise Oct. 20, 2016, in the high Arctic. This exercise provides crucial training opportunities for numerous military personnel with a variety of aircraft and assets from Canada and the United States to improve interoperability and to demonstrate North American Aerospace Defense Command’s ability to defend North America. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

U.S., Canada train together during Vigilant Shield 17

Published Oct. 21, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook
1st Combat Camera Squadron

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker flown by the 912th Air Refueling Squadron from March Air Force Base, Calif., provides refueling capabilities to a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 while both units participate in the Vigilant Shield 2017 Field Training Exercise Oct. 20, 2016, in the high Arctic. This year’s exercise sees North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) building on previous years’ training successes when deploying air assets and personnel to the far north to exercise sovereignty operations in North America’s northern aerospace and in the high Arctic. This exercise provides crucial training opportunities for numerous military personnel with a variety of aircraft and assets from Canada and the United States to improve interoperability and to demonstrate NORAD’s ability to defend North America.