"To compete in the arctic, you have to be on the field," Gen. Glen VanHerck, who leads Northern Command, said in a House Armed Service's Committee hearing this week. "We do not have the persistence that I need day to day to compete in the Arctic."
In recent years, the Russian military has built more military installations in the Arctic in a bid to expand its influence in the region, one replete with natural resources as well as a critical maritime chokepoint, the Northern Sea Route, which is increasingly traversable as the Arctic ice recedes in the warmer months.
VanHerck laid out his priorities for enabling the military to compete across the Arctic tundra. The U.S. military is confronted with unique challenges in the Arctic region, including the tyranny of distance which makes logistics difficult.
"I have a requirement that is stated and validated, for fuel north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska ... as well as additional infrastructure for our ISR platforms and our fighter capabilities so we can compete on a day to day basis," he said, referencing fuel points to resupply naval ships as well as fighter jets and surveillance drones.
"Both Russia and China would like to change the rules-based norms" in the Arctic, VanHerck said adding that climate change has led to more access and opportunity for development in the region pointing out that Russia has revitalized a dozen Cold War-era bases in the Arctic.
"Units that are organized, trained, and equipped to operate in the Arctic are crucial," he said of America's efforts to project into the region. To that end, NORTHCOM plans to continue relationships with allied countries and work with private industry to develop the equipment they need.
The other issue is the question of icebreaker ships that can cut through the ice and create a channel for other ships to pass through. Currently, the Coast Guard only has one, with another undergoing repairs.
"For persistence, we do need additional icebreakers," the general told congress.
Russia currently maintains 27 icebreakers in the Arctic, some that are nuclear-powered.
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Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.