673d Security Forces Squadron trials new Arctic combat course
Updated
Updated · ArmyTimes.com · May 1
673d Security Forces Squadron trials new Arctic combat course
6 articles · Updated · ArmyTimes.com · May 1
At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, the five-day programme will run through mid-May and covers arctic medicine, snowmachine patrolling, cold-weather weapons and a simulated combat patrol.
The squadron says the course is designed to improve air-base defence and sustain long-term combat operations in austere arctic and sub-arctic conditions, beyond existing cold-endurance training.
The Air Force says Alaska's strategic importance is rising as the Arctic gains geopolitical relevance, with officials warning Russia could shift more attention to the region after the war in Ukraine.
As superpowers race for the Arctic, will new combat training be enough to prevent a new cold war on ice?
Can NATO counter Russia's shadow warfare and China's economic influence in the strategic High North?
Accelerating Arctic Combat Readiness: The 2026 U.S. Military Arctic Combat Development Course (ACDC)
Overview
The Arctic Combat Development Course (ACDC) was rapidly developed by the 673d Security Forces Squadron in response to growing military cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic, alongside Russia's long-term militarization and China's expanding Arctic ambitions. Environmental changes, like significant sea ice loss, have further intensified competition, prompting the U.S. Department of Defense to release its 2024 Arctic Strategy. Currently in trial during the 2025-2026 winter, ACDC faces challenges such as equipment failures in extreme cold. Achieving accreditation before the 2026-2027 winter is critical to expand training to larger forces and integrate advanced technologies like drones, ensuring U.S. forces remain prepared to operate effectively in this contested region.