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 type 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 validated 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 before communication with counterparts located in the lower continental U.S., and British Columbia was achieved.
The team made multiple stops to test the RFMS and radio to take readings in order to understand the frequency “chatter” lows and highs in those areas.
“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.