[Vision2020] Military Rethinks Polar Command as Ice Caps Melt

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the April 25, 2011 edition of the Army Times.

-------------------------------------------------------

Military rethinks polar command as ice caps melt

WHAT’S UP: Melting polar ice caps are prompting the military to redraw its
map dividing the globe into combatant commands. Pentagon projections show
new shipping lanes will appear around the North Pole during the next 20 to
30 years, a senior defense official said. Previous master plans
essentially ignored the Arctic region, technically chopping it up among
U.S. Northern Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Pacific Command.
“Before, to be honest, I’m not sure who had the lead on it,” said one
senior defense official.

WHAT’S NEXT: NORTHCOM will take over the Arctic area, and EUCOM will be
responsible for Russia’s mostly frozen northern border. PACOM was squeezed
out of the region, according to the new Unified Command Plan. The plan,
approved by the White House in early April, has no immediate impact on
troops and bases. Any further shift in strategy will “depend on how
climate change continues,” the senior defense official said.

-------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

TomHansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to
changeand the Realist adjusts his sails."

 - Unknown