The US Army is training airborne troops in the Arctic using tactical insights gained from the Ukraine-Russia war to enhance their readiness in complex domains.
Being held in Alaska, the event focuses on cold-weather lethality and survivability, rapid deployment of equipment, communications, and the utility of snow machines for personnel and supply transport across deep snow.
The warfighters are also testing the effectiveness of all-terrain vehicles and the service’s new gear for low-temperature sorties.
Meanwhile, the army is facilitating a certification process for frozen tundra survivability leaders at the Black Rapids Training Site, a remote training ground located 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of Fairbanks and operating under the Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC).
The training is being supervised by the NWTC-based 11th Airborne Division (Arctic Angels), a unit first activated during the Second World War comprising specialized light assault infantry units for airborne and high-altitude environments.
Col. James Howell, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team – Arctic Angels, emphasized that rehearsals in Alaska’s rugged terrain underscore the need for extreme preparation to ensure US troops can perform on a frozen battlefield.
“We see what is happening in Ukraine and are testing things in the Arctic and adapting so that we are more survivable in the Arctic particularly,” Howell explained.
“[It takes] a lot of innovation to make sure that we can actually fight and win and sustain ourselves in negative 35 [degrees]. We know there are some systems that work in colder temperatures, that’s not something that we’ve tested yet or purchased at our level, but something that we’re looking to do in the future.”
