COLDFOOT CAMP, ALASKA -- Exercise AGILE BLIZZARD-UNIFIED VISION (AB-UV) Phase II, an arctic-based Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercise, took place June 10-13, 2023. AB-UV provided the 55th and 35th Combat Communications Squadrons (CBCS), Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and 52nd Network Warfare Squadron (NWS), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, the opportunity to test their combat communications capabilities for the first time above the Arctic Circle.
This is the first time successfully conducting these types of tests. Previously, there were no current standard operating procedures established for this type of operation or for in remote locations. The tests run on every system were successful at each location and led to the creation of new standard operating procedures.
“What we are doing here [in Alaska] is important because we are validating that the process, procedures and equipment that we have can support the warfighter in austere arctic locations,” said Tech Sgt. Laramie Grigsba, 55th CBCS radio frequency transmission systems specialist.
While en route to northern Alaska, the team of 15 Airmen made numerous stops to test high frequency radios, multiple user objective system radios, a radio frequency monitoring system, and a Starlink mobile WiFi’s connection and capabilities. It took only moments to establish communication with counterparts located in the lower continental U.S. and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
“Exercising combat communications and network warfare systems in harsh environments like Alaska prepares us to go anywhere in the world,” said Staff Sgt. Isaac Remboldt, 52nd NWS RFMS analyst.