The World Factbook 2013-14. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 1

SECRETARY’S FOREWORD
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 2

An iceberg at the edge of Baffin Bay's sea ice is just one of the many 

sights from Thule Air Base, Greenland. (U.S. Air Force photo by 

Tech. Sgt. Dan Rea)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Arctic1 is at a strategic inflection point 

as its ice cap is diminishing more rapidly 

than projected2 and human activity, driven 

by economic opportunity—ranging from 

oil, gas, and mineral exploration to fishing, 

shipping, and tourism—is increasing in 

response to the growing accessibility. 

Arctic and non-Arctic nations are 

establishing their strategies and positions 

on the future of the Arctic in a variety of 

international forums. Taken together, these 

changes present a compelling opportunity

for the Department of Defense (DoD) to 

work collaboratively with allies and 

partners to promote a balanced approach 

to improving human and environmental 

security in the region in accordance with 

the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region.

3

 

Security in the Arctic encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from resource extraction 

and trade to activities supporting safe commercial and scientific operations to national defense. 

Security cooperation activities and other military-to-military forms of engagement establish, shape, 

and maintain international relations and the partnerships necessary to meet security challenges and 

reduce the potential for friction. The Department will continue to build cooperative strategic 

partnerships that promote innovative, affordable security solutions, and burden-sharing in the 

Arctic, and seek to increase opportunities with Arctic partners to enhance regional expertise and 

cold-weather operational experience.

The Department will continue to train and operate routinely in the region4 as it monitors the 

changing environment, revisiting assessments and taking appropriate action as conditions change. 

This strategy identifies the Department’s desired end-state for the Arctic: a secure and stable 

region where U.S. national interests are safeguarded, the U.S. homeland is protected, and 

nations work cooperatively to address challenges. It also articulates two main supporting 

objectives: Ensure security, support safety, and promote defense cooperation, and prepare to respond to a wide range 

of challenges and contingencies—operating in conjunction with other nations when possible, and 

independently if necessary—in order to maintain stability in the region. Finally, it identifies the ways

and means the Department intends to use to achieve these objectives as it implements the National 

Strategy for the Arctic Region. 

 1The DoD strategy uses a broad definition of the Arctic, codified in 15 U.S.C. 4111, that includes all U.S. and foreign territory north 

of the Arctic Circle and all U.S. territory north and west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers; all 

contiguous seas, including the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas, and the Aleutian islands chain. 2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists in J.E. Overland and M. Wang (2013), When will the summer 

Arctic be nearly sea ice free?, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, doi:10.1002/grl.50316. 3This strategy is nested under National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 66 / Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 25, Arctic 

Region Policy, the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region, and the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance. It complements DoD’s Strategy 

for Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (HD&DSCA). 4For additional information on the Navy’s historic involvement in the Arctic, see The Impact of Climate Change on Naval Operations in the 

Arctic (Center for Naval Analysis, 2009).
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 3

I. U.S. INTERESTS IN THE ARCTIC

U.S. national security interests in the Arctic are delineated in National Security Presidential Directive 

(NSPD) 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 25, Arctic Region Policy. 5

 This policy 

states that national security interests include such matters as missile defense and early warning; 

deployment of sea and air systems for strategic sealift, strategic deterrence, maritime presence, and 

maritime security operations; and ensuring freedom of the seas. Preserving freedom of the seas, 

which includes all of the rights, freedoms, and uses of the seas and adjacent airspace, including 

freedom of navigation and overflight, in the Arctic supports the nation’s ability to exercise these 

rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea and airspace throughout the world, including through strategic 

straits. 

The 2013 National Strategy on the Arctic Region frames the whole-of-government approach that 

provides the overarching context for the Department’s efforts. It lays out three main lines of effort 

in the Arctic: advance U.S. security interests; pursue responsible Arctic region stewardship; and 

 5 The January 2009 National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD)-66, dual-titled as Homeland Security Presidential Directive 

(HSPD)-25, or NSPD-66/HSPD-25, established the policy of the United States with respect to the Arctic and outlined national 

security and homeland security interests in the region. Homeland security interests include preventing terrorist attacks and mitigating 

those criminal or hostile acts that could increase the United States’ vulnerability to terrorism in the Arctic. The Department has a role 

to play in responding not only to traditional (e.g., military) threats, but also to a range of other potential national security challenges 

(e.g., smuggling, criminal trafficking, and terrorism as the lead agency or in support of other government agencies).
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 4

strengthen international cooperation. The goal of the National Strategy for the Arctic Region is “an 

Arctic region that is stable and free of conflict, where nations act responsibly in a spirit of trust and 

cooperation, and where economic and energy resources are developed in a sustainable manner that 

also respects the fragile environment and the interests and cultures of indigenous peoples.” 

The DoD Arctic Strategy outlines how the Department will support the whole-of-government effort 

to promote security, stewardship, and international cooperation in the Arctic. The Department’s 

strategic approach to the Arctic reflects the relatively low level of military threat in a region bounded 

by nation States that have not only publicly committed to working within a common framework of 

international law and diplomatic engagement,6 but have also demonstrated the ability and 

commitment to do so. In consideration of enduring national interests in the Arctic and existing 

strategic guidance, the Department’s end-state for its strategic approach to the Arctic is: a secure 

and stable region where U.S. national interests are safeguarded, the U.S. homeland is 

protected, and nations work cooperatively to address challenges.

 6In the Ilulissat Declaration (May 28, 2008), all five Arctic Ocean coastal States (United States, Russian Federation, Canada, Norway, 

and Denmark on behalf of Greenland) committed themselves to the orderly settlement of overlapping territorial claims through the 

established framework of the international law as reflected in the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC). The Declaration affirmed 

that the legal framework provided by the LOSC is sufficient for the management of the Arctic Ocean and that there is no need to 

develop a new comprehensive international legal regime to govern this Ocean.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 5

Members of the Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station participate in Ice 

Exercise (ICEX) to assist operations and training in the challenging and 

unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones)

II. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPORTING OBJECTIVES

The Department’s two supporting 

objectives describe what is to be 

accomplished to achieve its desired 

end-state. These objectives are 

bounded by policy guidance, the 

changing nature of the strategic and 

physical environment, and the 

capabilities and limitations of the 

available instruments of national 

power (diplomatic, informational, 

military, and economic). Actions 

taken to achieve these objectives will 

be informed by the Department’s 

global priorities and fiscal constraints. 

In order to achieve its strategic endstate, the Department’s supporting 

objectives are: 

• Ensure security, support safety, and promote defense cooperation.

7

- Relationships with allies and partners are important enablers of cooperation in meeting 

security and defense commitments. These relationships also play an important role in 

conflict prevention, and, if prevention and deterrence fail, in coordinating an 

international response to security and defense challenges. Although the Department of 

State is the lead for regional diplomacy, DoD has a supporting role enhancing the 

region’s capability and capacity for multilateral security collaboration, and responding to 

requests for assistance from interagency and international partners both within and 

outside the Arctic. This collaborative approach helps prevent conflict and provides the 

stability needed to facilitate the sustainable economic development envisioned in the 

National Strategy for the Arctic Region. The Department of Defense will seek out areas of 

mutual interest to build strategic relationships and encourage operational-level 

partnerships that promote innovative, affordable security solutions and enhance burdensharing in the Arctic. Science and technology (S&T) can provide non-contentious 

opportunities for cooperation, and DoD will coordinate research initiatives with the 

Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC).

- The Department has an important role supporting other Federal departments and 

agencies in safety-related missions in Alaska and in responding to requests from civil 

authorities to support them with disaster relief or humanitarian assistance at home or 

 7Per the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region, U.S. security in the Arctic encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, including 

national defense.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 6

abroad. Although the Department has seldom been tasked to execute these missions in 

the Arctic, it may be asked to do more in the coming decades.

• Prepare for a wide range of challenges and contingencies—operating in conjunction 

with other States when possible and independently if necessary—in order to maintain 

stability in the region.

- Future challenges in the Arctic may span the full range of national security interests. 

These challenges and contingencies may take many forms, ranging from the need to 

support other Federal departments and agencies—or another nation—in responding to a 

natural or man-made disaster to responding to security concerns that may emerge in the 

future. 
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 7

Soldiers conduct medical evacuation training at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. 

(USARPAC Public Affairs photo)

III. STRATEGIC APPROACH

The Department will pursue 

comprehensive engagement with allies 

and partners to protect the homeland 

and support civil authorities in 

preparing for increased human activity 

in the Arctic. Strategic partnerships 

are the center of gravity in ensuring a 

peaceful opening of the Arctic and 

achieving the Department’s desired 

end-state. Where possible, DoD will 

seek innovative, low-cost, smallfootprint approaches to achieve 

these objectives (e.g., by participating 

in multilateral exercises like the Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) hosted by Greenland, COLD 

RESPONSE hosted by Norway, and Canada’s Operation NANOOK, or through Defense 

Environmental International Cooperation Program-supported engagements on Arctic issues). The 

Department will also evolve its infrastructure and capabilities in step with the changing physical 

environment in order to ensure security, support safety, promote defense cooperation, and prepare 

to respond to a wide range of challenges and contingencies in the Arctic in the coming decades. The 

Department will accomplish its objectives through the following ways: 

• Exercise sovereignty and protect the homeland;

• Engage public and private sector partners to improve domain awareness in the Arctic;

• Preserve freedom of the seas in the Arctic;

• Evolve Arctic infrastructure and capabilities consistent with changing conditions;

• Support existing agreements with allies and partners while pursuing new ones to build 

confidence with key regional partners;

• Provide support to civil authorities, as directed;

• Partner with other departments and agencies and nations to support human and 

environmental safety; and

• Support the development of the Arctic Council and other international institutions that 

promote regional cooperation and the rule of law. 8

 8The Arctic Council’s charter states, “The Arctic Council should not deal with matters related to military security.” It could be argued 

that search and rescue is a (human) security interest, and oil spill response is an (environmental) security interest; thus, the Council has 

a demonstrated ability to address a range of “soft security” issues.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 8

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and its aircrew assist in deploying 120 

Soldiers for Operation Arctic Response, an Army Emergency Deployment 

Readiness Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

The Department will apply the four guiding principles from the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic 

Region as it pursues these eight ways.

9

 This means DoD will work with allies, partners, and other 

interested parties to safeguard peace and stability. It will make decisions using the best available 

scientific information, and will pursue innovative arrangements as it develops the capability and 

capacity needed in the Arctic over time. It will also follow established Federal tribal consultation 

policy. These four principles will underpin all of the Department’s activities as it implements this 

strategy through the means described in this section.

Protect the Homeland and 

Exercise Sovereignty. From the 

U.S. perspective, greater access 

afforded by the decreasing seasonal 

ice increases the Arctic’s viability as 

an avenue of approach to North 

America for those with hostile intent 

toward the U.S. homeland, and the 

Department will remain prepared to 

detect, deter, prevent, and defeat 

threats to the homeland. 

Additionally, DoD will continue to 

support the exercise of U.S. 

sovereignty. In the near-term10, this 

will require some ability to operate in the Arctic, which the Department will maintain and enhance 

by continuing to conduct exercises and training in the region. In the mid- to far-term, this may 

require developing further capabilities and capacity to protect U.S. air, land, and maritime borders in 

the Arctic in accordance with the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region. 

As directed by the 2011 Unified Command Plan, Commander, U.S. Northern Command 

(CDRUSNORTHCOM) is responsible for advocating for Arctic capabilities. In execution of this 

responsibility, CDRUSNORTHCOM will collaborate with relevant Combatant Commands, the 

Joint Staff, the Military Departments and Services, and the Defense agencies to identify and 

prioritize emerging Arctic capability gaps and requirements. These efforts will be informed by the 

most authoritative scientific information on future Arctic conditions. For purposes of mission and 

infrastructure vulnerability assessments and adaptation to climate change, the Office of the Under 

Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (OUSD(AT&L)) will identify 

projections of future conditions to be used. The Department of Defense will collaborate with the 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure efficient use of resources to avoid duplication 

of effort in research, development, experimentation, testing, and acquisition. Forums such as the 

DoD-DHS Capabilities Development Working Group are among the means to facilitate this 

cooperation. 

 9Many of DoD’s ways align with what the National Strategy for the Arctic Region terms supporting objectives to its three lines of effort, 

but DoD’s strategy follows the classical “ways-ends-means” construction. 10 This strategy identifies three timeframes to be used for implementation planning: the near-term (present day-2020); mid-term 

(2020-2030); and far-term (beyond 2030). These timeframes are approximate due to uncertainty in climate change projections.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 9

Scientists from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center monitor 

icebergs while a topside computer system gathers data collected 

from an autonomous undersea vehicle. (U.S. Navy photo)

Engage public and private sector partners 

to improve all domain awareness in the 

Arctic. Although NSPD-66/HSPD-25 

focuses on maritime domain awareness, the 

Department has responsibilities for awareness 

across all domains: air, land, maritime, space, 

and cyberspace. Adequate domain awareness 

is an essential component of protecting 

maritime commerce, critical infrastructure, 

and key resources. In the near-term, the 

Department will work through the North 

American Aerospace Defense Command 

(NORAD) to maintain air tracking 

capabilities in the Arctic. As the maritime 

domain becomes increasingly accessible, the Department will seek to improve its maritime detection 

and tracking in coordination with DHS and other departments and agencies as well as through 

public/private partnerships. The Department of the Navy, in its role as DoD Executive Agent for 

Maritime Domain Awareness, will lead DoD coordination on maritime detection and tracking. 

Where possible, DoD will also collaborate with international partners to employ, acquire, share, or 

develop the means required to improve sensing, data collection and fusion, analysis, and 

information-sharing to enhance domain awareness appropriately in the Arctic. Monitoring regional 

activity and analyzing emerging trends are key to informing future investments in Arctic capabilities 

and ensuring they keep pace with increasing human activity in the region over time. 

In the near- to mid-term, the primary means of improving domain awareness will be continued use 

of innovative, low-cost solutions for polar Command, Control, Communications, Computers, 

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) needs as well as enhanced international 

collaboration. DoD will take steps to work with other Federal departments and agencies to improve 

nautical charts, enhance relevant atmospheric and oceanic models, improve accuracy of estimates of 

ice extent and thickness, and detect and monitor climate change indicators. In particular, the 

Department of the Navy will work in partnership with other Federal departments and agencies (e.g., 

DHS, the Department of Commerce) and international partners to improve hydrographic charting 

and oceanographic surveys in the Arctic.

The Department will continue to collaborate with other Federal departments and agencies and the 

State of Alaska to monitor and assess changes in the physical environment to inform the 

development of Arctic requirements and future capabilities. To that end, the Department will 

leverage work done by the scientific and academic communities and seek opportunities to contribute 

to the observation and modeling of the atmosphere, ocean, and sea ice conditions, including 

acoustics conditions, to enhance military environmental forecasting capabilities. These 

collaborations will help inform the development and design of future ice-strengthened ship designs, 

when required.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 10

From South Mountain, Thule Air Base and Mount Dundas are 

captured during a short period of January twilight in Greenland. 

(U.S. Air Force photo by Michael Tolzmann)

Preserve freedom of the seas in the Arctic. The United States has a national interest in

preserving all of the rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea and airspace recognized under international

law. The Department will preserve the global mobility of United States military and civilian vessels 

and aircraft throughout the Arctic,11 including through the exercise of the Freedom of Navigation 

program to challenge excessive maritime claims asserted by other Arctic States when necessary. The 

Department will continue to support U.S. accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law 

of the Sea (hereafter referred to as the Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC)) because it codifies the 

rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea and airspace the Department seeks to preserve; provides a 

means for the peaceful resolution of disputes; and ensures international recognition of resources 

rights on the extended continental shelf. 

Evolve Arctic infrastructure and 

capabilities consistent with changing 

conditions. The Department will periodically 

re-evaluate requirements necessary to meet 

national security objectives as conditions 

change and the Combatant Commanders 

identify operational requirements for the 

Arctic in updates to their regional plans. 

Once operational requirements are defined, 

solutions for associated supporting 

infrastructure requirements should seek to 

leverage existing U.S. Government, commercial, and international facilities to the maximum extent 

possible in order to mitigate the high cost and extended timelines associated with the development 

of Arctic infrastructure. If no existing infrastructure is capable of sufficiently supporting the 

requirement, modifications to existing bases, such as the addition of a new hangar, will be made as 

part of the military construction or facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization processes.

Uphold existing agreements with allies and partners while building confidence with key 

regional partners. Security cooperation activities and other military-to-military forms of 

engagement establish, shape, and maintain international relations and the partnerships necessary to 

meet security challenges and reduce the potential for friction. The 2012 and 2013 Northern Chiefs 

of Defense (CHoDs) meetings and the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable workshops and meetings 

are examples of means for promoting information-sharing and partnership-building necessary to 

develop cooperative approaches to common challenges. Therefore, in cooperation with the 

Department of State, DHS (in particular, the U.S. Coast Guard), and other relevant agencies, the 

Department will continue to build cooperative strategic partnerships that promote innovative, 

affordable security solutions and burden-sharing in the Arctic. It will also seek to increase bilateral 

exchanges, including in science and technology, and take advantage of multilateral training 

 11As expressed by Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), Commander, U.S. Transportation Command 

(USTRANSCOM), and Commander, USNORTHCOM, in a May 2008 memorandum, the United States needs assured access to 

support U.S. national interests in the Arctic. Although this imperative could be met by regular U.S. Government ships in open water 

up to the marginal ice zone, only ice-capable ships provide assured sovereign presence throughout the region and throughout the year.

Assured access in areas of pack ice could also be met by other means, including submarines and aircraft.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 11

The threat of avalanche presents a real danger to Marines 

training in Norway's subarctic climate and rugged terrain. (Photo 

by Lars Erik Solend)

opportunities with Arctic partners to enhance regional expertise and cold-weather operational 

experience.

Provide Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) in Alaska and provide Foreign 

Humanitarian Assistance and Foreign Disaster Relief (FHA/FDR) in other non-U.S. 

territorial areas of the Arctic. When directed by the appropriate authority, the Department will be 

prepared to support civil authorities in response to natural or manmade disasters, or to conduct 

FHA/FDR operations in cooperation with allies and partners. 

Partner with other agencies and nations to 

support human and environmental safety. 

Some of the near-term safety-related challenges 

include meeting international search and rescue 

obligations and responding to incidents such as 

oil spills in ice-covered waters, as reflected in the 

recently concluded Agreement on Cooperation 

on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue 

in the Arctic and Agreement on Cooperation on 

Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response 

in the Arctic. The Department will leverage 

existing capabilities to respond to requests for 

support from civil authorities in coordination 

with other departments and agencies and nations. 

Where appropriate, the Department will support other departments and agencies in maintaining 

human health; promoting healthy, sustainable, and resilient ecosystems; and consulting and 

coordinating with Alaska Natives on policy and activities affecting them. Finally, the Department 

will continue to integrate environmental considerations into its planning and operations and to 

contribute to whole-of-government approaches in support of the second line of effort in the 2013 

National Strategy for the Arctic Region. 

Support the development of the Arctic Council and other international institutions to 

promote regional cooperation and the rule of law. The Department recognizes the value of the 

Arctic Council in efforts to understand the changing Arctic environment and developing 

cooperative approaches to regional challenges, and supports the Department of State in the 

continued development of the Council. Although the Department of State is the lead for 

diplomacy, DoD has a role to play in enhancing the region’s multilateral security cooperation 

environment. Accordingly, DoD will work with allies and partners within the framework of 

international institutions, ranging from the Arctic Council to the International Maritime 

Organization (IMO), to maintain stability and promote cooperation. 
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 12

Arctic sea ice. (NOAA photo)

IV. CHALLENGES & RISKS TO THE STRATEGIC APPROACH 

This strategy furthers defense objectives while positioning the United States to take advantage of 

opportunities in the Arctic during the coming decades in accordance with the 2013 National Strategy 

for the Arctic Region. It also addresses some of the risks inherent in the trade-offs and tensions among 

U.S. interests and objectives, including: 

• Projections about future access to and activity in 

the Arctic may be inaccurate. Significant 

uncertainty remains about the rate and 

extent of the effects of climate change, 

including climate variability, in the Arctic. 

There is also uncertainty about future 

economic conditions, and the pace at 

which human activity will increase in the 

region. The challenge is to balance the 

risk of having inadequate capabilities or 

insufficient capacity when required to 

operate in the region with the opportunity cost of making premature and/or unnecessary 

investments. Premature investment may reduce the availability of resources for other 

pressing priorities, particularly in a time of fiscal austerity. The key will be to address needs 

in step with the rate at which activity in the Arctic increases while balancing potential 

investments in Arctic capabilities with other national priorities. The Department will 

mitigate this risk by monitoring the changing Arctic environment and geostrategic situation 

to determine the appropriate timing for future capability investments. Designating 

CDRUSNORTHCOM as the Arctic capability advocate was a significant step forward in the 

effort, but success will require Departmental adaptability in planning, budgeting, and 

acquisitions.

• Fiscal constraints may delay or deny needed investment in Arctic capabilities, and may curtail Arctic training 

and operations. As the Department downsizes to meet budgetary targets, it will have to 

prioritize engagements for the resulting smaller force. There is also a risk that desired 

investments in Arctic capabilities may not compete successfully against other requirements 

in the Department’s budgetary priorities. Where possible, DoD will mitigate this risk by 

developing innovative ways to employ existing capabilities in coordination with other 

departments and agencies and international partners, and by enhancing scientific, research, 

and development partnerships. CDRUSNORTHCOM plays a key role in mitigating this risk 

as the Arctic capability advocate within the Department’s planning and programming 

activities. Commander, U.S. European Command (CDRUSEUCOM) and Commander, U.S. 

Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM) also play a role by fostering collaborative working 

relationships with regional partners.
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 13

• Political rhetoric and press reporting about boundary disputes and competition for resources may inflame 

regional tensions. Efforts to manage disagreements diplomatically may be hindered if the 

public narrative becomes one of rivalry and conflict. The Department will mitigate this risk 

by ensuring its plans, actions, and words are coordinated, and when appropriate, by engaging 

the press to counter unhelpful narratives with facts. The Under Secretary of Defense for 

Policy will monitor DoD activities, programs, and posture in the region to ensure the 

Department is sending a clear message to key audiences regarding the Department’s efforts 

to promote security, safety, and defense cooperation. 

• Being too aggressive in taking steps to address anticipated future security risks may create the conditions of 

mistrust and miscommunication under which such risks could materialize. There is some risk that the 

perception that the Arctic is being militarized may lead to an “arms race” mentality that 

could lead to a breakdown of existing cooperative approaches to shared challenges. The 

Department will mitigate this risk by focusing on collaborative security approaches as 

outlined in the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region, and by supporting other Federal 

departments and agencies where they have leadership roles. Building trust through 

transparency about the intent of our military activities and participation in bilateral and 

multilateral exercises and other engagements that facilitate information-sharing will be a key 

means of addressing this risk. 
Department of Defense Arctic Strategy 14

V. CONCLUSION

The Department will work collaboratively with 

allies and partners through the ways and means 

outlined in this strategy to support the 

development of the Arctic as a secure and stable 

region where U.S. national interests are 

safeguarded, the U.S. homeland is protected, 

and nations work cooperatively to address 

challenges. Priority will be given to addressing 

key near-term challenges primarily in key 

enablers, including: shortfalls in ice and weather 

reporting and forecasting; limitations in C4ISR 

due to lack of assets and harsh environmental 

conditions; and limited domain awareness. The 

key will be to address needs over time as activity in the Arctic increases, while balancing potential 

Arctic investments with other national priorities. This approach will help the United States achieve 

its objectives as outlined in the National Strategy for the Arctic Region while mitigating risks and 

overcoming challenges presented by the growing geostrategic importance of the Arctic.

Arctic Survival School teaches signal fires. (U.S. Air Force photo 

by Airman 1st Class Willard E. Grande II)