NSW - News Submitter

Special Operations Medics Enhance Arctic Lethality - An aircrewmen assigned to the 52nd Aviation Regiment is lowered to a patient from a HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during Special Operations Forces Arctic Medic (SOFAM) at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Feb. 19, 2025. SOFAM 2025 enhanced U.S., Canadian, U.K. and interagency SOF readiness through real-world scenarios in an austere climate and ensures a lethal fighting force to win wars. Naval Special Warfare Group TWO produces, supports, and deploys the world’s premier maritime special operations forces to conduct full-spectrum operations and integrated deterrence in support of U.S. national objectives. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Trey Hutcheson)

March 13, 2025

A thick blanket of white snow covered the environment as clear directions rang out in the cold, with the breath from the medic’s mouth forming frost on his eyelashes in temperatures well below zero degrees. The pounding rhythm of a Black Hawk helicopter thumped louder and louder as calls were made to ensure care for a wounded service member. After exchanging the simulated patient with the causality evacuation personnel, teammates high-five as they start their journey back to the camp site.

East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operator (SEALs) and Norwegian Naval Special Operations Commandos are pictured next to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767). - ARCTIC OCEAN (March 9, 2024) East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operator (SEALs) and Norwegian Naval Special Operations Commandos are pictured next to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) while two MH-47G Chinook helicopters, assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), hover overhead during an joint submarine/special operations forces integration exercise designed to bolster skills in an Arctic environment March 9, 2024, as part of Arctic Edge 24. Arctic Edge provides Special Operations Command North the opportunity to test a range of capabilities and response options to deter, disrupt, degrade, and deny competitor activity in the Arctic in support of globally integrated layered defense and deterrence of the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jeff Atherton. Image altered to conceal unit flags for operational security.)

400+ Allied, Joint Special Operations Forces Secure the Arctic

400+ Allied, Joint Special Operations Forces Secure the Arctic

March 12, 2024

Recognizing the importance of the Arctic region to defense of the homeland from potential adversarial threats, elite special operations forces from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom recently concluded high-impact training events throughout the pan-Arctic region, stretching from Alaska, in the Arctic Circle, across Canada and into Greenland. Arctic Edge 24, a U.S. Northern Command exercise, brought together more than 400 special operations forces (SOF) to integrate, share lessons and refine their tactical effectiveness in diving operations, fast-roping from helicopters, snow mobile transits, long-range movements across the Arctic Circle, and a marquee event involving a fast-attack Submarine. These past few weeks of training epitomize an unwavering commitment to fortifying U.S. and Allied national security against potential aggression, echoing directives outlined in the National Defense Strategy and the National Strategy for the Arctic Region documents.

Navy SEALs Participate in Operation Polar Dagger - A Combatant Craft Assault boat enters the well deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) during Operation POLAR DAGGER, Aug. 23, 2023. Amphibious transport dock ships like John P. Murtha have many unique capabilities that make them ideal platforms to support special operations forces, such as the ability to embark helicopters from the joint force, launch and recover Naval Special Warfare combatant craft, and maintain all-domain awareness through advanced sensors. Operations NOBLE DEFENDER and POLAR DAGGER sharpen joint special operations integration and provides the forces the opportunity to test new capabilities and advance response options in defense of the U.S. homeland. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Samoluk)

Naval Special Warfare Interoperates with USS John P. Murtha in Bering Sea

Naval Special Warfare Interoperates with USS John P. Murtha in Bering Sea

Sept. 8, 2023

East Coast based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) seamlessly integrated with USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) during Operation Polar Dagger, in the Alaskan Arctic region, demonstrating special operations forces capability to operate in austere locations to defend critical infrastructure and strengthen interoperability in the region.