US Air Force F-16 fighters once again performed an air defense standby mission after several decades at Arkson Air Base on Shemia Island, located in the westernmost part of Alaska's Aleutian Islands. According to the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), this mission began as part of Operation Noble Shield and then continued with the participation of American F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, Canadian CF-18 fighter jets, E-3 early warning aircraft and several refueling aircraft. The Arkson base is more than 1,500 km from the main part of Alaska and due to its geographical location near the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula, it has strategic importance in monitoring and protecting the northern approaches of North America. During this deployment, the cable system that prevents fighters from landing at the base was also approved for F-16 activity; A move that reinforces the possibility of reusing this remote base for deploying fighters.

US Air Force F-16 fighters once again performed an air defense standby mission after several decades at Arkson Air Base on Shemia Island, located in the westernmost part of Alaska's Aleutian Islands. According to the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), this mission began as part of Operation Noble Shield and then continued with the participation of American F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, Canadian CF-18 fighter jets, E-3 early warning aircraft and several refueling aircraft. The Arkson base is more than 1,500 km from the main part of Alaska and due to its geographical location near the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula, it has strategic importance in monitoring and protecting the northern approaches of North America. During this deployment, the cable system that prevents fighters from landing at the base was also approved for F-16 activity; A move that reinforces the possibility of reusing this remote base for deploying fighters.