{"id":47178,"date":"2022-05-12T18:01:56","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T18:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/05\/12\/army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:36:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:36:18","slug":"army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/frozen-pathways\/2022\/05\/12\/army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Army poised to revamp Alaska forces to prep for Arctic fight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska \u2014 The U.S. Army is poised to revamp its forces in Alaska to better prepare for future cold-weather conflicts, and it is expected to replace the larger, heavily equipped Stryker Brigade in the state with a more mobile infantry unit better suited for the frigid fight, Army leaders say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said she expects to make a final decision soon about the Alaska troop change, saying she will likely convert the Stryker unit, which uses heavy, eight-wheeled vehicles, to an infantry brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think right now the purpose of Army forces in Alaska is much more about creating an extreme cold weather capable formation\u201d that could be used in Europe or the Indo-Pacific, Wormuth told The Associated Press on a recent trip to Alaska to meet with senior commanders and troops. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to get to a place where we have Arctic capable forces \u2014 forces that can survive and operate in that environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2022\/05\/10\/army-looks-to-ditch-stryker-vehicles-in-alaska\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/7185857.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Army looks to take Stryker vehicles out of Alaska<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">\u201cWe are looking at potentially taking the Strykers out of Alaska,\u201d the Army secretary told senators.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. has long viewed the Arctic as <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/arctic-russia-europe-environment-and-nature-government-and-politics-c97ac521407b897b70c72a62afee4f29\">a growing area of competition<\/a> with Russia and China, particularly as <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/climate\">climate change<\/a> brings warmer temperatures and opens the sea lanes for longer periods of time. But officials have acknowledged that the U.S. lags behind those nations. Russia has taken steps to increase its military presence there, and China views the region as economically valuable for shipping and natural resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The changes in the Army were under consideration well before U.S. tensions with Russia soared following <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/russia-ukraine\">its invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the new Army plan, the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, now based in Alaska, would be converted to a light infantry brigade. Combined with the division\u2019s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat team, the two units will become the 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska. And the large Stryker vehicles, which are somewhat old, would be replaced by other vehicles that are more suitable for the icy and snowy terrain, Wormuth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The greater focus on cold-weather war includes a move to conduct major training exercises for the Alaska-based troops in their home state, under the weather conditions they would face in an Arctic fight. The troops had been scheduled to go to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in March, but Army leaders decided to keep them in Alaska so they could train under the frigid temperatures and frozen terrain that they would encounter in any cold-weather battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2022\/04\/15\/bipartisan-trio-in-congress-wants-more-action-on-army-alaskas-suicide-problem\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ArcticArmy.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Bipartisan trio in Congress wants more action on Army Alaska\u2019s suicide problem<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Army Alaska\u2019s 17 suicide deaths among about 11,000 soldiers represents a disproportionately high rate for the service.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think it really makes sense to have forces trained in the Arctic environments that they would be used for,\u201d Wormuth said after spending two days at the still snowy base. \u201cIf we\u2019re going to have ground forces in Alaska, that\u2019s what we need them to be able to do. They can\u2019t get that experience going to the Mojave Desert or to Fort Polk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last year, in an initial trial event, Pacific-based forces stayed in Hawaii for their scheduled exercises at the National Training Center in California\u2019s Mohave Desert. Commanders said they have learned from these first two moves, as they try to recreate conditions and relocate personnel and equipment from well-established training centers to more remote locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During her visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Wormuth met with commanders who called the training shift a success. Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commander of U.S. Army Alaska, said the benefits outweighed any shortfalls created by the need to build the infrastructure for the training exercise in the remote north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re getting the best of both worlds, without losing too much,\u201d Eifler said. \u201cWe did get a lot more out of it than we thought we would.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arctic-stryker-2-edited.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-86288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arctic-stryker-2-edited.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arctic-stryker-2-edited.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arctic-stryker-2-edited.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/arctic-stryker-2-edited.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment prepare to conduct battle drills in a Stryker armored vehicle during an arctic deployment as part of the U.S. Army Alaska led exercise Arctic Edge 18 at Deadhorse, Alaska, March 13, 2018. Arctic Edge 2018. As Russia makes moves in the Arctic some say the Army needs to put more resources into the cold weather fight. (Army)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eifler said that while they didn\u2019t have as many training observers or civilian role players as they would have at one of the training centers, the trainers that did come were able to learn more about Arctic weather operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, Eifler said, the change avoided the costly and time-consuming shipment of vehicles, weapons and other equipment to Louisiana and back. The lengthy packing and shipping process before and after a training exercise in Louisiana or California often forces troops to be without their weapons systems and other equipment for weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During briefings at the Alaska base, commanders said the training included large-scale combat operations under extreme weather conditions in what they called the \u201cmost challenging environment on earth.\u201d They said that 10,000 troops \u2014 including Canadian Army and Air forces \u2014 were involved in the exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But they said the exercise also underscored the need for better cold-weather vehicles, including those capable of carrying Arctic infantry forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gen. Joseph Martin, the vice chief of the Army who was in Alaska this year, said the service has been studying what would be the best type of vehicle for the troops. \u201cIs the Stryker the right vehicle for an Arctic warrior? In the winter, you need vehicles that can move across snow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"7012\" height=\"4680\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-102980\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg 7012w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg?resize=768,513 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6643711.jpg_e3db90.jpg?resize=2048,1367 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 7012px) 100vw, 7012px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Army paratroopers from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, stage on flightline prior to boarding Air Force aircraft for a joint forced-entry operation during Northern Edge 21 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 11, 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members participate in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces&#8217; skills, practice tactics, techniques, and procedures, improve command, control, and communication relationships develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Pe\u00f1a)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, he said, the vehicle also needs to be able to operate in the spring or summer thaw, when the ground turns to mud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Wormuth wrapped up her visit, she suggested that the decision on the Stryker Brigade is moving forward soon. Any final decision would need approval from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you\u2019re going to do big movements of equipment and things like that, the summer is a pretty important window because it\u2019s a lot easier to move vehicles around than doing it in the dead of winter,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And in conversations with congressional lawmakers, including during a hearing this week, she made clear that the change would not reduce the number of soldiers in Alaska. Instead, she said that while the infantry brigade will be smaller, the Army would offset that loss by increasing the size and capabilities of the headquarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More broadly, she talked with commanders in Alaska about the potential need for more changes as the U.S. military\u2019s Arctic strategy evolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S., Wormuth said, has resisted moves to militarize the Arctic, even as Russia has expanded its military presence and basing there. But, she said, \u201cwill that mindset continue given what the Russians are doing in Ukraine? Or will that get revisited? Will that create a window to think about things differently?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commanders said there are questions about whether one of the Pentagon\u2019s combatant commands \u2014 such as European Command or Northern Command, based in Colorado \u2014 should take full ownership of the Arctic and the U.S. military role there. Wormuth said the issue needs further discussion, and any decision may be years away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The U.S. has long viewed the Arctic as a growing area of competition with Russia and China.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":102979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":115,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[160,115,14,36,30],"tags":[],"coauthors":[1417],"class_list":["post-47178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-frozen-pathways","category-land","category-newsletters","category-smr"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"RMUCX5FYRVGXXFAER6TL2P4IDE","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-military\/2022\/05\/12\/army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Army poised to revamp Alaska forces to prep for Arctic fight - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The U.S. has long viewed the Arctic as a growing area of competition with Russia and China.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Army poised to revamp Alaska forces to prep for Arctic fight\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The U.S. has long viewed the Arctic as a growing area of competition with Russia and China.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/frozen-pathways\/2022\/05\/12\/army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Defense News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-05-12T18:01:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T13:36:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/defensenews\\\/smr\\\/frozen-pathways\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/12\\\/army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight\\\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/defensenews\\\/smr\\\/frozen-pathways\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/12\\\/army-poised-to-revamp-alaska-forces-to-prep-for-arctic-fight\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t                \"@id\": 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