Nordic cooperation is the core of the execution of ACE. This year's Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE 21) is the fifth of its kind that Sweden, Finland and Norway organize together. The exercise has been conducted every second year since 2013 and is this time led by the Norwegian Air Force. Meaning that Norway is responsible for planning and direction of the training event.
We build security together. ACE 21 provides its participating units with the possibility to train with the best and against the best opponents in all possible aspects of multinational air operations. The exercise provides a cost-effective and high quality opportunity to all participating nations to develop national capabilities and interoperability.
Arctic Challenge exercises are part of Cross Border Training (CBT) which started in 2009 between Sweden, Finland and Norway. The Air Forces of these nations conduct on almost a weekly basis combined air combat training missions that are flown from their northern home bases. The cost-effective implementation pattern of combined exercises can also be applied to large-force air exercises.
Arctic Challenge Exercise 2021 is one of Europe's largest live air power exercises. It will gather more than three thousand personnel and over one 70 aircrafts. In addition to multi-role fighters, transport and liaison aircraft, aerial refuelling tankers, airborne warning and control system aircraft, and transport and search and rescue helicopters can be seen in the exercise. Participating nations are Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States of America. These will be supported by NATO-operated airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft and also by ground crew and ground-based air defence units.
The ACE 21 host bases are located in Luleå-Kallax in Sweden, Rovaniemi in Finland and Bodø and Ørland in Norway. Flight operations are conducted from June 7 to June 18 (except Saturdays and Sundays) in two daily waves from 9 till 17 Swedish summer time. Flight missions are carried out in the areas extending over the three nations' northern regions.
This year the number of participating aircrafts and personnel will be reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 60 aircraft at most may participate simultaneously in individual waves in ACE 21. Exercise sorties will involve flying at low altitudes and they may also include supersonic flight. Aircraft will deploy flare countermeasures that can be seen as bright spots of light in the sky.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Public Affairs Officer Bodø, Sigurd Tonning-Olsen, Royal Norwegian Air Force
+47 488 65 018, stonningolsen@mil.no
Public Affairs Officer Rovaniemi, Tuulia Kujanpää, Finnish Air Force
+358 299 291 133 tuulia.kujanpaa@mil.fi
Public Affairs Officer Rovaniemi, Anne Torvinen, Lapland Air Command, Finnish Air Force
+358299 210 273 anne.torvinen@mil.fi
Public Affairs Officer Kallax Jesper Sundström, Swedish Air Force
+46 70-656 26 07 jesper.sundstrom@mil.se