Sustaining Military Operations in the Arctic -- The U.S. Cannot do it Alone

Abstract

For a number of reasons, the Arctic region is seeing a significant increase in maritime activity (e.g., shipping, commercial fishing, resource extraction, tourism), and there is significant potential for that increase to continue in the future. While currently the U.S. military role in the Arctic is limited, strategic-level and operational-level leaders have recognized that as Arctic activity increases, so too will the requirement for a U.S. military presence in the region. While most experts believe that armed conflict in the Arctic is unlikely in the future, the U.S. military must be prepared to operate where others are already operating. Whether for search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), or Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), to successfully conduct any mission a force must be sustained. It should be noted that the military does not currently have the capabilities that will be needed to conduct sustained operations in the Arctic. Through this research, the author has identified several capability gaps that will limit the military's ability to sustain Arctic operations. While long-term solutions exist, they would require substantial economic commitments by the U.S. Government. Considering today's financial realities, these commitments are quite unfeasible. Mitigation strategies do exist, however, through the capabilities that our international partners, the interagency, and industry possess. By leveraging such capabilities, and sharing resources and knowledge, stakeholders can build the capacity needed to meet the challenges that the sustainment of Arctic operations present. This paper recommends institutionalizing these relationships within a Joint Interagency Task Force North. The Task Force would be a standing organization focused on Arctic military issues and a means of meeting Arctic requirements as they emerge.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 04, 2012
Accession Number
ADA563887

Entities

People

  • Anthony J. Koss Iii

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Arctic Regions
  • Climate Change
  • Coast Guard
  • Department Of Defense
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Logistics
  • Maritime Domain Awareness
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Naval Operations
  • Task Forces
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Economics
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Maritime Security/Maritime Homeland Security