US Army Deploys Assets to Alaska Amid Pacific Naval Drills
US Army Deploys Assets to Alaska Amid Pacific Naval Drills
The US Army swiftly deployed assets to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska as Russia and China conducted joint naval exercises in the Pacific. The force projection event, led by the 11th Airborne Division, showcased the US’s ability to rapidly mobilize and project power in remote and challenging environments.
Message to US Adversaries
According to Major General Joseph Hilbert, commander of the 11th Airborne Division, the deployment sends a clear message to US adversaries. “We can suddenly create a dilemma,” Hilbert stated, “and we can do that with significant firepower, and we can do it as a joint force.”
Joint Force Capabilities
The exercise involved a multi-layered array of capabilities, including a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platoon, communications equipment, a target acquisition radar, and an infantry security force. These assets were seamlessly integrated, demonstrating the US Army’s ability to operate effectively as a joint force.
Importance of Long-Range Fires
Hilbert emphasized the crucial role of long-range fires in force projection and deterrence, a lesson evident in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The deployment of HIMARS during the exercise underscored the importance of this capability for striking targets with precision and accuracy.
Overt Demonstration of Capabilities
Unlike typical military exercises that emphasize concealment, this event was deliberately overt, demonstrating the US Army’s confidence in the reliability and readiness of its forces. Hilbert stated that the exercise aimed to show that these capabilities are “readily deployable, even in unexpected places.”
Significance of the Aleutian Islands
The exercise took place in the Aleutian Islands, a strategic archipelago located at the southwestern edge of Alaska. Hilbert explained that this location reflects the Army’s recognition of Alaska as a complex and challenging operating environment that requires specialized Arctic warfare skills.
Arctic Warfare Expertise
Soldiers in the 11th Airborne Division have developed unique expertise in fighting in the harsh Arctic conditions of Alaska. Through regular training and exercises, they have honed their ability to adapt and innovate in real-time, maintaining readiness for diverse operational scenarios.
US Army Pacific’s Arctic Focus
US Army Pacific has made proficiency in Arctic warfare a key priority, with the 11th Airborne Division serving as a vital component in this effort. In collaboration with USARPAC’s allies and partners, the division works to enhance ground force capabilities and maintain readiness in the region.
Russia and China’s Joint Naval Drills
The US Army’s force projection exercise coincided with Russia’s largest naval drills since the Cold War, involving hundreds of vessels and thousands of troops across the Pacific, Mediterranean Sea, and Arctic Ocean. Hilbert acknowledged that the timing was “not a coincidence,” highlighting the importance of demonstrating US capabilities in light of these exercises and the growing partnership between Russia and China.