Performance Sustainment in Polar Operations
Abstract
Naval operations in Polar Regions have been historically limited to relatively short-term missions, outside of ongoing S&T opportunities. However, given the observed climate changes in the Arctic Region, it is expected that the Arctic Ocean will be increasingly accessible for international shipping during the summer months. The Navy Arctic Roadmap promulgated by the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Greenert states that the US Navy must consider the rapidly changing Arctic for developing future policy, strategy, force structure and investment. Thus, it is imperative to anticipate and mitigate negative impacts imposed by extreme Arctic environment in order to maximize warfighter performance and health during summer Arctic operations. Extreme photoperiods found at high latitudes, including long day-light exposure during the summer, represents a challenge to proper sleep and circadian function, disruptions of which are expected to result in detrimental health and performance outcomes. Proper management of circadian rhythms and sleep during exposures to extreme photoperiods found at high latitudes offers the ability to sustain human performance and protect warfighter health. We have established a partnership between ONR Program Officer LCDR Christopher Steele, PhD and a senior circadian biologist Professor Fred W. Turek, PhD at Northwestern University, in order to develop a long-term strategic plan to comprehensively understand and effectively mitigate potential challenges imposed by Arctic extreme photoperiods, especially long day-light exposure during the summer months, to sleep, circadian rhythms and performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512767
Entities
People
- Fred W. Turek
Organizations
- Northwestern University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy