Posts Tagged arctic

Russia Fortifying Arctic Border

From Business Insider:

In order to capitalize on a changing Arctic, Russia is undertaking a major military upgrade of its northern coast and outlying Arctic archipelagos. These bases — which include search-and-rescue stations, military ports and airstrips, and military headquarters — are positioning Russia to become the dominant power in the region.

The Northern Fleet itself is due for a massive upgrade starting in 2015 that will last through the rest of the decade. The fleet has been upgraded to a unit called the Russian Joint Strategic Command North (JSCN), which, according to the Polish Institute of International Affairs, won’t be an ordinary naval force.

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Russia Creating Arctic Military Command

From TASS:

The formation of the Arctic military command is part of Russia’s ongoing extensive program to build up military presence in the Arctic. Last March, President Vladimir Putin said that the armed forces’ training and development efforts should incorporate measures to increase the combat component of the Arctic group. The Defense Ministry has since made several steps along these lines.

 

The minister told a session of the Defense Ministry’s Public Council that restoration of airfields was launched recently at the Novosibirsk Islands and on Franz Josef Land, airfields were being reconstructed in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo, to defend national interests in the region.

This comes on the heels of Russian bombers flying close to Alaskan air space and Eastern Europe intrusions.

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Coast Guard Arctic Domain Awareness Flight

Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O’Hara (left) watches as the Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice along with the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent approximately 560 nautical miles North of Barrow, Alaska, during an Arctic domain awareness flight Sept. 3, 2010. The Healy is designed to conduct a wide range of research activities, providing more than 4,200 square feet of scientific laboratory space, numerous electronic sensor systems, oceanographic winches, and accommodations for up to 50 scientists. The Healy is capable of breaking 4 ½ feet of ice continuously at three knots and can operate in temperatures as low as 50 below zero. Photo by Air Station Kodiak

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