Americas Arctic war machine roars to life as commander reveals chilling new reality on Russias doorstep

Across one of the coldest, most remote and strategically exposed corners of the United States, American forces are practicing how to fight on land, at sea and in the air — rapidly moving rocket systems into western Alaska, sending F-35s and F-16s toward simulated threats and coordinating U.S.and Canadian warships in the Bering Sea.The operations are part of Tundra Merlin, an enduring U.S.

military campaign aimed at proving that even across Alaska’s vast distances and extreme Arctic conditions, American and allied forces can rapidly assemble combat power to defend the northern approaches to the homeland.And behind that show of force is a changing security environment increasingly shaped by Russia and China.TWO ICEBREAKERS HEADED TO ALASKA AS US COMBATS RUSSIAN, CHINESE INFLUENCE IN ARCTICU.S Army Spc.Cole Garretson, a team leader, left, and Spc.

Kori Cook, combat medic assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Air Assault), 11th Airborne Division pull security in front of a AN/TP Q-53 Radar System and a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to the 17th Long Range Fires and Effects Brigade during Operation TUNDRA MERLIN near Nome, Alaska, Aug.4, 2026.

These Soldiers were deployed alongside the AN/TP Q-53 and HIMARS during TUNDRA MERLIN to demonstrate the joint forces' ability to rapidly deploy and seamlessly integrate combat equipment and personnel across the Arctic in defense of the Homeland and its approaches.(Christopher Chen/U.S.

Air Force)"I think what’s changed is primarily two things," Lt.Gen.

Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, told Fox News Digital."One is that the melting sea ice has made the Arctic more accessible.

And we’re seeing increased activity both commercially and militarily in the Arctic, particularly during the summer months.""The other factor is that China and Russia and others are continuing to advance their military capabilities and capacity with an interest in showing that ...