EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE FORCE
BREAKING THE ICE
ICE program seeks solutions to challenges experienced by the U.S. military in the extreme cold.
by Rebecca Wright
mately four million people call the Arctic home along with a vast amount of wildlife, large and small. It’s also a region that experiences extreme weather changes, including intense cold, high winds, even days when the sun does not rise or set.
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For U.S. joint forces and DOD, the impacts of climate change and an evolving geopolitical environment reach beyond snow and polar bears. Although the Arctic’s weather conditions remain extreme and at times can be dangerous, the Arctic terrain is becoming more accessible due to warming temperatures. With ice melting and opening transportation pathways that were not there before, both peers and adversaries are expanding activities in the area. Improving infrastructure, increasing mapping of the region, strengthening military capabilities and protecting service members from the cold are some of the efforts the DOD is investing time and research into. It is essential that the DOD maintains readiness in the Arctic in order to safeguard natural resources, shipping routes and North American territory from potential threats, while also being committed to the preservation and protection of both the Arctic’s environment and its people.
ICE CONTROL FOR COLD ENVIRONMENTS Enhancing the U.S. military’s capabilities and safety in the Arctic is no small feat— specifically when it relates to the extreme cold and icy conditions. Weapons freezing, Soldiers suffering from frostbite and other cold-related injuries, along with negative impacts on electronics and military transportation are some of the obstacles faced. Tey all pose serious risks.
https://asc.ar my.mil 9
hen thinking about the Arctic, images of snow, ice—maybe even a polar bear—likely come to mind. Located at the northernmost region on Earth, the Arctic covers eight countries including the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Russia. Approxi-
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