Crews from two US air bases will be going to the top of the world as they take part in an arctic challenge exercise.

KC-135 Stratotankers from RAF Mildenhall and F-15s from RAF Lakenheath are taking part in the exercise from two bases to the north of Norway until September 26.

A spokesman for the US Air Force said: “The Arctic Challenge Exercise is a realistic combat training exercise designed to test the abilities of the US Air Force and other nations to operate together in the same air space toward specific aerial combat goals.”

The exercise is designed to reinforce cooperation between the 100th Air Refueling Wing and the 48th Fighter Wing as well as strengthen ties between US, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish militaries.

The F-15s and Stratotankers will fly alongside Norwegian F-16s, Finnish F-18s and Swedish JAS-39 Gripens.