The U.S. military is holding three major exercises north of the Arctic Circle this month while working on defining its Arctic presence with an updated DoD Arctic Strategy to be released in the spring. Multiple services and commands have distinct needs in the Arctic, leading to the establishment of the Arctic and Global Resilience Office in September 2022. An Arctic Campaign Team was created to integrate requirements across services and commands.
The DoD Arctic Strategy will address climate change effects, Russian and Chinese activities, and service-specific needs such as cold-weather gear for the Army and enhanced domain awareness and communications for all branches. The strategy will prioritize three main points: enhancing capabilities, engaging with allies, and maintaining a “calibrated presence” in the Arctic to deter threats. The U.S. Navy is enhancing its Arctic presence and considering additional basing facilities while focusing on monitoring the Arctic, replenishing forces, and recovering personnel.
The Navy, primarily relying on submarines and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, is considering establishing an Arctic office to address the full spectrum of Arctic presence needs, including surface ships. The goal is to maintain a strategic messaging campaign in the Arctic to assert U.S. presence and protect economic interests. Adm. Daryl Caudle expressed the desire for some aircraft carrier strike groups to operate in the Arctic as part of this strategic messaging campaign.
