Latest news with #RoyalDanishAirForce
CBS News
27-02-2025
- Science
- CBS News
U.S., Canada forces conduct military exercises in Greenland in sub-zero temperatures
American and Canadian military forces recently completed joint exercises in Greenland, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said, as more than 100 servicemembers and multiple aircraft conducted drills in frigid conditions as cold as minus 29 degrees Fahrenheit. The exercises — called Operation Noble Defender — took place from Jan. 28 until Feb. 11 at Pituffik Space Base, which remains the U.S. military's northernmost installation, NORAD said in a news release. Roughly 125 American and Canadian servicemembers were deployed for the operation, military officials said. The exercises included multiple NORAD fighter jets and helicopters, including F-16s, KC-135s, E-3s, CF-18s, C-150s and CH-149s. The Royal Danish Air Force was also on hand to offer search and rescue support. Conditions were harsh during the operation. Local temperatures were consistently below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and the coldest days reached minus 29 degrees F (-34 C), with a wind chill of minus 56 degrees F (-49 C), officials said. Maintenance crews and civil engineering airmen "operated tirelessly in these conditions to ensure aircrews were able to conduct flying missions," NORAD said. 🇨🇦 and 🇺🇸 assets from all three #NORAD Regions deployed to Pituffik Space Base, Greenland from Jan 28 to Feb 11 for #OperationNOBLEDEFENDER. Each OND strengthens and progresses NORAD's missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America. 📸… — North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 25, 2025 The air defense operation in Greenland, done in conjunction with Denmark, started in 2018 and takes place at planned intervals. "Over the last three weeks, our integrated American and Canadian NORAD teams have demonstrated the ability to operate at the highest level in one of the most austere environments in the world," Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Shemo, 41st AEG Commander, said in a statement. The operation unfolded amid increased global scrutiny and military activity in the Arctic region. Last month, a combat air patrol of American and Canadian fighter jets was scrambled after multiple Russian warplanes were spotted in the Arctic. Several hours later, NORAD said it also scrambled two F-16 fighter jets from Alaska to Greenland in order to "forward posture NORAD presence in the Arctic." The command said that move was "not in response to any current threat." President Trump has expressed his desire to bring Greenland under U.S. control. The location of Denmark's autonomous Arctic territory makes it strategic for both economic and defense purposes. But Greenland's leader and its residents have made it clear that their home is not for sale. Russia's efforts to boost its military presence in the Arctic have gradually expanded, including two nuclear submarines unveiled by President Vladimir Putin. Russia has also tested hypersonic missiles, which are capable of evading American defenses, in the Arctic.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rise Against Hunger volunteers package 25,000 meals at First Christian Church
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Charity can be a small gesture or a grand one. First Christian Church prefers the latter. Hundreds of volunteers packed and shipped 25,000 meals to people in need around the world for Rise Against Hunger. According to Rise Against Hunger Area Manager Marshay Love, the church's efforts wouldn't have been possible without their donations. PREVIOUS: WF church to package thousands of meals for worldwide distribution 'The volunteers are funding it,' Love said. 'The volunteers are funneling it into and then putting it into the meal bag, and their hands are literally the last hands to touch the meals before they get over to their receiving community.' Each meal bag has the same ingredients; scoops of rice, soy, freeze-dried fruits, and vitamins, all meant to be boiled in a pot. After they're shipped, they can become something entirely new depending on their destination. 'Sometimes in the Philippines, they'll put yams and different types of potatoes and stuff with the meals just to give them more heartiness and just make it a little bit more bulky while also adding to it that cultural spin,' Love said. Over the last six years, First Christian Church has sent over 125,000 meals to people in need. Each year, the church's senior minister Dr. Mark Bender, and the rest of the church got the packing down to a science. 'We've got the youngest kids helping. We've got our oldest folks in and participating wherever they are,' Bender said. 'And we've got people who could not stand for long periods of time, they have a role to play as well.' LOCAL NEWS: ENJJPT program at Sheppard AFB molding lives of future pilots Nationalities of all kinds played a part too. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rosenkrands with the Royal Danish Air Force was invited to take part as he is staying at Sheppard Air Force Base with the ENJJPT course. 'Honestly, packing a box of food here and giving it to somebody that needs it, it really doesn't matter if it's local or regional or global. I think it's just important we get it out there,' Rosenkrands said. Once packed up, the meals are shipped to one of nearly 80 countries. The 25,000 packed today will go to Burundi in central Africa. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
