Arctic Challenge 2019
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brad Steward, an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft maintainer assigned to the Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., secures an aircraft panel after the arrival of an F-16 at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, May 16, 2019 in preparation for Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019. South Carolina Air National Guard F-16C fighter jets, Airmen and support equipment are arriving to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility at Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden to participate in ACE 19. This is a Nordic aviation exercise, and this year will include participation from the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Dutch, British, and U.S. forces. Funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, the U.S. force’s participation in ACE 19 demonstrates a steadfast U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe to remain resolute in a commitment to regional stability and security. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)