Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center

Northern Strike is an Army sponsored, multi-component, multinational exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability with allied forces to fight and win. Northern Strike 26-2, Michigan’s largest and longest exercise designed to validate readiness of the joint reserve force, is held Aug. 1 to 15, 2026 at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center. The NADWC spans Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula, encompassing the capabilities of the Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and their combined ranges and airspace. This system of training areas is the premier location to replicate the future operating environment, offering integrated training across all domains.(U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. Brayden Stephan)

Northern Strike 26-2 is Here
B-roll showing U.S. Marines with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 conducting operations during Exercise Northern Strike 26-2, Aug. 3, 2026, at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan. NS 26-2 is a premier reserve component training event that focuses on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Tech. Sgt. Tristan D. Viglianco)

Marines fly at Northern Strike
Drone airborne

MING to host DoW drone event in June

Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

The mission of the Alpena CRTC is to provide premiere support, facilities, instruction, and airspace to Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, coalition and emergency responders to meet mission requirements of combatant commanders and civil authorities.

The Alpena CRTC aspires to be the premiere Air National Guard training environment, providing unparalleled mission support, facilities, and equipment to all who pass through our gates or airspace.

SAFETY
DISCIPLINE EXECUTION

Air Force officer presents flag

Male Air Force officer speaks at podium while two other officers sit to his left on stage.

Man in civilian clothes stands at podium, holding microphone.

Group of people look off into distance.

Uniformed Air Force officer stands in front of crowd, holding microphone.

Uniformed Air Force officers stands behind podium, holding microphone.

Soldier repels down rope

An F-35 lighting II aircraft faces camera, nose first with two Airmen standing on either side of it.

Line of people in military uniforms and business suits, all wearing hard hats and holding shovels in dirt.

Two-star Army general in uniform stands at podium.

Aircrew inspect propeller plane on a foggy, snowy flight line.

K9 Training Alpena CRTC

Alpena CRTC firefighters train

Firefighters train for readiness in Ice and Cold water rescue.

Alpena CRTC provides premier support, facilities, instruction, and airspace to meet readiness requirements for combatant commanders and civil authorities. The Alpena CRTC is here to support your mission and ensure its a successful one while training. No mission is to big or to small.