The Michigan National Guard is hosting Northern Strike 24-2 (NS 24-2), a large-scale military exercise focusing on countering emerging cruise missile and unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats. Running from August 3-17, 2024, the exercise utilizes the expansive Michigan Airspace Complex, encompassing over 17,000 square miles.
NS24-2, one of the Department of Defense’s largest reserve component readiness exercises, is scheduled to take place at Michigan’s National All Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) from Aug. 3-17, 2024. Over 6,300 participants from 32 states and territories and several international participants will converge at the NADWC. Exercise Northern Strike is the premier reserve component training event designed to build readiness with joint and partner forces in all domains of warfare. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Tristan D. Viglianco)
Air National Guard (ANG) F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 113th Wing, District of Columbia ANG, and the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio ANG, are the primary participants, operating from their home stations, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, and Oscoda–Wurtsmith Airport. These units will engage in detection, identification, destruction, and command and control (C2) scenarios against simulated threats.
In a first for Northern Strike, the exercise incorporates ANG F-16s from the 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana ANG, to replicate cruise missile flight characteristics. Additionally, the exercise is utilizing SubSonex JSX-1 microjets to simulate various UAS platforms, adding a new dimension to the threat replication efforts.
The SubSonex JSX-1 is a single-seat, amateur-built jet aircraft that brings unique capabilities to the exercise. With its small size and reduced radar cross-section, the JSX-1 effectively mimics the characteristics of smaller UAS threats. The microjet’s ability to operate at various speeds and altitudes provides realistic training scenarios for the participating F-16 units. The inclusion of these microjets in Northern Strike 24-2 represents a significant portion of the $1 million investment in threat replication for the exercise.
Lt. Col. Nicholas Smith, Michigan National Guard deputy J7, emphasized the exercise’s alignment with ANG priorities, stating, “One of the Air National Guard top priorities is defending the homeland. Northern Strike presents unique training opportunities to warfighters, allowing them to train for scenarios they’ll unlikely encounter in their normal day-to-day readiness training.”
The exercise is also exercising various C2 assets and the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Eastern Air Defense Sector, enhancing interoperability across different military components.
Northern Strike 24-2 is part of a larger exercise involving approximately 6,300 personnel from 31 states, one commonwealth, 11 service components, and five countries. This diverse participation underscores the exercise’s importance in joint, Interagency, and multinational cooperation.
Col. Ross Evenhouse, Air Component Director for the Michigan Air National Guard, highlighted the exercise’s significance, saying, “Integrating cruise missile and UAS defense training into the overall scenario replicates real-world threats we and our partners will face in future conflicts.”
As aerial threats continue to evolve, Northern Strike 24-2 represents a critical step in developing tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter these challenges, ensuring the readiness of U.S. and allied forces for future operations.
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