Canadian CC-177 airlifts U.S. HIMARS to Nome in Arctic operation
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A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-177 Globemaster III transported a U.S. Army M142 HIMARS launcher from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to Nome, Alaska, on July 31 during Operation TUNDRA MERLIN, U.S. Northern Command disclosed on August 12. The Canadian aircraft landed at Fort Wainwright en route to embark soldiers and returned to Nome on August 10-11 to redeploy the launcher and troops.
Operation TUNDRA MERLIN
A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-177 Globemaster III transported a U.S. Army M142 HIMARS launcher from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to Nome, Alaska, on July 31, supporting the deployment of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, I Corps. En route, the aircraft landed at Fort Wainwright to embark soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Air Assault), 11th Airborne Division. After the operation, the Canadian aircraft returned to Nome on August 10-11 and redeployed the HIMARS and participating U.S. soldiers to their home stations. U.S. Northern Command described the mission as demonstrating the ability to rapidly project, sustain and redeploy combat power through integrated logistics and strategic airlift in austere Arctic environments.
Arctic Mobility
The operation paired Canadian strategic airlift with U.S. long-range precision fires across a region where vast distances and limited infrastructure complicate defense of North America's northern approaches. U.S. Northern Command said the operation's use of combat aircraft, radar and ground forces highlights how allied mobility can extend the reach and flexibility of a distributed continental-defense network. One CC-177 moved one HIMARS launcher and troops into and out of Nome.
Continental Defense Integration
The deployment comes as the United States and Canada strengthen their Arctic defense posture. U.S. Northern Command has emphasized long-range precision fires as a rapidly deployable continental-defense capability. The Canadian CC-177 flight from Washington state to Alaska connected the 17th Field Artillery Brigade and the 11th Airborne Division with Royal Canadian Air Force strategic lift. The mission used one Canadian aircraft and one U.S. HIMARS launcher to demonstrate integrated logistics across North America.
What's Next
Future iterations of Operation TUNDRA MERLIN or similar Arctic mobility drills have not yet been announced by U.S. Northern Command. It remains unclear how often the two militaries will repeat cross-border airlift of HIMARS units across Alaska's austere airfields.
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Canadian CC-177 airlifts U.S. HIMARS to Nome in Arctic operation
