To reorganize the Alaskan military, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin must give his final permission. therefore
The United States Army is reorganizing its units in Alaska to better prepare for cold-weather wars.
According to leaders, the Stryker Brigade is anticipated to be replaced in the state with a more mobile infantry formation.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told The Associated Press that “right now the goal of Army forces in Alaska is much more about establishing an extreme cold weather capability organization” that may be employed in Europe or the Indo-Pacific. “We’re working toward having Arctic-capable forces — forces that can survive and operate in that climate.”
She intends to make a final decision on the troop shift soon, which will most likely include transforming the Stryker unit into an infantry brigade.
The 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team would be renamed a light infantry brigade.
A new division, the 11th Airborne Division, would be formed from the unit and the division’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Wormuth predicted that Stryker vehicles would be phased out in favor of those more suited to the terrain on which they operate.
Her reasoning for doing so: “I think it truly makes sense to have forces trained in the Arctic situations that they would be employed for.” “That’s what our ground soldiers in Alaska must be capable of if they are sent there. Neither the Mojave Desert nor Fort Polk can provide them with that kind of adventure.”
There were discussions on the adjustments even before Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin must provide his consent before any final decision.
It’s far simpler to transfer vehicles in the Summer than in the dead of Winter,” Wormuth said, explaining that the Army will compensate for the loss of the Stryker by expanding and upgrading its headquarters to counterbalance the loss of Stryker vehicles.
Wormuth noted that the United States has repeatedly rejected Russian efforts to militarize the Arctic.
Wormuth was a little skeptical when asked if that approach would be reconsidered shortly.
In April, an Army unit from California’s Mojave Desert waged battle against fictitious “Denovian” soldiers.
According to him, “I believe the entire Army is genuinely looking at what’s occurring in Ukraine right now and trying to take lessons,”
It is helpful to think about upgrading in light of what is occurring to Russia today, noting that certain US tanks are pretty hefty, and Europe is muddier.
The Army’s fiscal year 2023 budget request calls for fewer personnel in keeping with a plan to convert the Stryker Brigade while also requesting an increase of $2.8 billion beyond fiscal 2022 authorized funds.
Having soldiers trained in Arctic environs makes a lot of sense, as they will be put to good use in developing Arctic-capable forces – forces that can operate and live in that environment.