Army resurrects historic wwii airborne division to dominate the arctic

[Peter1469]

The 11th ABN will be HQed in Alaska and focus on Arctic dominance.

ARMY RESURRECTS HISTORIC WWII AIRBORNE DIVISION TO DOMINATE THE ARCTIC

The US Army will raise a third airborne division, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville confirmed at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, May 5.

The US Army Alaska Headquarters is being remodeled as the 11th Airborne Division in a new strategic plan to focus on Arctic dominance. The deliberate move was made to prepare for future conflicts in cold-weather environments. The newly resurrected 11th Airborne Division will join the 82nd Airborne Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade as the Army’s premier airborne light-infantry units, while the 101st Airborne Division will remain focused on air assault.

“This is a historic development for our Alaska-based military,” Sen. Dan Sullivan said after the hearing. “Redesignating U.S. Army Alaska under the 11th Airborne Division banner presents a dual opportunity for our country — renewing the spirit and purpose of our Alaska-based soldiers by connecting them with this division’s proud and storied history, and better fulfilling America’s role as an Arctic nation.”

[OLD GUY IN FLORIDA]

Maybe I am missing something here.

[Peter1469]

Maybe I am missing something here.

Got any idea what it might be?

[DGUtley]

I bet the Russians already do this.

[Cletus]

I am not sure what utility an airborne division would have in the Arctic. That is hardly an ideal environment for airborne operations.

[Peter1469]

I bet the Russians already do this.

Yes, I have posted threads on Russia's push in the Arctic.

[Peter1469]

New Army 11th Airborne Division Gets Stand Up Date, Force Outline

The 11th Airborne Division, the Army's newest major unit, will be formed June 6 out of an assortment of soldiers in Alaska.

"It's long overdue; this is a compilation of years of effort to get us to a functional organization," Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commander of U.S. Army Alaska, told Military.com.

But that new designation will not add any additional airborne capabilities to the Arctic region, which U.S. adversaries are already trying to lay claim to.

Currently, there are two major Army formations in Alaska: the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. Those will be redesignated the 1-11 Airborne and 2-11 Airborne, respectively. U.S. Army Alaska will also be absorbed into the new division.

Army officials are in the middle of finalizing a plan to get rid of its roughly 320 Strykers in Alaska, possibly using them for spare parts for other units. In the meantime, the Stryker brigade in Alaska will convert to a regular light infantry force, but could be converted into an air assault element down the road.


"This isn't going to be like any other division. Here, we are having an airborne brigade, and there will probably be an air assault brigade," said Eifler, who will command the 11th Airborne Division. "It'll be different."

In March, Alaska troops, as well as U.S. special operations and some foreign units, conducted a first-of-its-kind, large-scale training event putting its troops and gear to the test. Right now, many of Alaska's soldiers are training in Norway. There is also a planned exercise in Japan known as North Wind later this year. And, in early 2023, soldiers will repeat the major training exercise in Alaska.

Interesting.

[carolina73]

All Putin's posturing on the Arctic is falling apart quickly. Throw in the addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO and Russia's Arctic claims are being squeezed out.

[Peter1469]

All Putin's posturing on the Arctic is falling apart quickly. Throw in the addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO and Russia's Arctic claims are being squeezed out.

It would certainly hurt Russian plans for the Arctic.

[Cletus]

It sounds like it is going to be an "Airborne Division" in name only.