Army, Marines Publish First Arctic Warfare Manual in 50 Years Amid Rising Tensions

After decades of war in dry, hot places, the U.S. military is shifting its attention to the Arctic, which is getting colder and more contested. The Army and Marine Corps released their first Arctic Warfare manual in over 50 years. It's a 267-page book that covers everything from how to fight in cold weather to how to keep priest wine from freezing.

A new focus on being ready for the Arctic comes as the sea ice melts, revealing valuable trade routes and untapped resources. This has led to a rise in geopolitical competition with China and Russia. Because of this, the U.S. military is investing in training programs and partnerships that will help the U.S. get back to being able to do things in this tough and unique setting.

At Alaska's Northern Warfare Training Center, soldiers take crash courses to learn how to fight, live, and move around in the cold again. The Army trains with troops from NATO partners like Finland in the Arctic as part of war games. These troops have been trained for a long time to fight in sub-zero temperatures.

The new doctrine guidebook goes into great detail about ambushes in cold weather, how to stay alive, how to maintain gear, and even problems that come up out of the blue, like musical instruments freezing during a performance. Some parts of the training may seem like a military oddity, but they are actually critical. The U.S. can't be unprepared for an Arctic war.

The military is working to ensure that American troops can live and excel in icy places as climate change turns the Arctic into a strategic frontier.

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