After nine days of operations, the Carrier Strike Group of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) concluded its deployment as part of Exercise Northern Edge 2025, which was led by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The exercise, which served as a training scenario for U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces, took place in the state of Alaska with the goal of preparing participating units for joint multidomain operations with the highest possible degree of realism. It is worth noting that this was one of the most significant U.S. Navy training events in the northern region of the continent so far this year.
In this context, with the participation of more than 6,000 personnel and 100 aircraft, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployed from the Gulf of Alaska through the Aleutian Islands chain, demonstrating its power projection capability and reinforcing the U.S. Navy’s presence in a region increasingly contested by rival powers.
During the exercise, the Nimitz-class carrier served as the command and control hub of the strike group, directing operations in a multidimensional battlespace. Sailing alongside the Abraham Lincoln were three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers that carried out various roles during the operations: USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121).
In addition to the nine aircraft squadrons operating under Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, which includes one F-35C Lightning II squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, VFA-41, and VFA-151; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, operating the EA-18G Growler; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, flying the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, operating the MH-60S Sea Hawk; and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, with the MH-60R Sea Hawk. On the Canadian side, the Royal Canadian Navy contributed the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) as well as an Airbus CC-150 Polaris refueling aircraft.
For its part, Carrier Air Wing 9 carried out air defense, maritime strike, and advanced expeditionary operations in Alaskan waters and the Aleutian Islands. In detail, CVW-9 logged more than 3,000 flight hours and over 1,100 sorties in support of exercise requirements.
Debut of AIM-174B Missiles
Meanwhile, during Exercise Northern Edge 2025 in Alaska, CVN-72 deployed the new AIM-174B air-to-air missiles integrated onto its F/A-18 Super Hornets for the first time in the region. This addition expanded the strike group’s air defense capabilities, complementing training focused on multidomain command doctrines alongside other deployed systems. The AIM-174B, developed from the naval SM-6 missile, provides the Super Hornet with extended BVR capability, expanding the carrier-based air defense umbrella and setting a new standard in U.S. Navy joint operations.
Russian Presence: A Parallel Scenario in Alaska
Finally, it should not be overlooked that shortly after the start of Northern Edge, Alaska became the stage for another parallel scenario. About a week ago, NORAD detected the presence of several Russian Aerospace Forces IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace, but within the North American state’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response, the U.S. Air Force scrambled F-16 fighters, E-3 AWACS, and KC-135 tankers on four occasions between August 20 and 26 to intercept the Russian aircraft.
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