Mobility in the Arctic: applying lessons from the past to the new operational environment.

• Main Author: Lawrence, Dustin Edward
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Fort Leavenworth, KS : US Army Command and General Staff College 2022
• Subjects: Arctic regions; Lessons learned; Operational environment; Military doctrine; Training; Suomussalmi; Battle of; Finland; 1939; Suomussalmi (Finland); Petsamo (Lapin lääni; Finland); Kirkenes (Norway); Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation; World War; 1939-1945; World War Two; WWII; Offensive (Military science); Training exercises; Military exercises; Canada; Canadian Armed Forces; Cold weather operations; Winter warfare; Cold weather conditions; Russia; Threats; Preparedness; Temperature; Permafrost; Precipitation (Meteorology); Infrastructure; Plants; Command and control (C2); Morale; Time; Space; Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD); Arctic; Norway; Kirkenes; permafrost
• Online Access: http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll2/id/4061

The Arctic operational environment has and continues to present challenges to mobility at the tactical and operational level. Doctrine and training solutions require perspectives from the past as well as an understanding of the future developments to the operational environment. Three case studies were analyzed to inform doctrinal and training recommendations – the Battle of Suomussalmi (7 December 1939-8 January 1940), the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation (7-29 October 1944), and post-World War II Canadian exercises (1945-1955). The outcomes of this analysis when held against future Arctic factors of temperature, permafrost, precipitation, infrastructure, vegetation, and the Russian threat indicate that US doctrine provides a sufficient base to inform tactical mobility. Operational doctrine, however, needs to be updated to fully prepare commanders and staff for the mobility challenges awaiting an Arctic Brigade. Continuing multi-national training exercises across the Arctic, developing a permanent joint multinational training center, and standardizing Arctic training will further prepare ground forces for the mobility challenges of the future.