User:Jonlipski/sandbox

My topic for this assignment would be about the United States Navy Ice Exercise, which is when they send submarine to the north pole and they go under the ice and then surface in order to crack the ice.

Ice Exercise 2016

March 2, 2016 The United States Navy set course bound for the Arctic region. Roughly two weeks later two Los Angeles-class submarine arrive at US Navy Ice Camp Sargo, which is a temporary camp stationed on top of a floating ice sheet. Their objective is to carry out the US Navy’s Ice X exercise which evaluates the readiness of the Navy’s submarine force and pursues further interest into scientific fields of the Arctic region. This year’s ICE X will take place over a five week period and include over 200 participants from the four nations: The Unites States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Norway. Among the nations participating in ICE X, the Arctic Submarine Laboratory will also be participating. The Arctic Submarine Laboratory is responsible for the construction of Camp SARGO, conducting tests and evaluations under Arctic operations, and also acts as a liaison between the civilian science community and submarine operations. The submarines will conduct arctic transits in which they will surface and break the ice (usually 2-3 feet thick), collect data, and run other training exercise to gain experience working in this challenging region. The United States first ICE X exercise in which a submarine surfaced and broke the ice was in 1958, and since then the United States has conducted more than 26 Arctic exercises, some in more recent years were Ice Exercise 2009. The importance of this exercise is that “the submarine operations to the north pole provides the required training broaden our knowledge of an extremely challenging region that is very different than any other ocean in the world," said Cmdr. Scott Luers . Other than collecting data and training in this region the ICE X exercise also shows the US Navy’s arctic defense capabilities and readiness for roles in this region, increases the experience of sailing and working in this unique area, and gathering broaden our knowledge about this region.

US Interest in Arctic

With Alaska’s 1000 mile plus long coastline and with melting of ice caps the United States Navy has an ever increasing interest in the Arctic Ocean. As trade routes begin to open up and accessibility to these waters is created the Navy has a responsibility to be prepared to defend our country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and secure the national interests and resources. Our nations Exclusive Economic Zone is guaranteed by international law with states that the nations have economical rights to resources within two-hundred nautical miles of our coast. As the Arctic ice cap continues to decrease in size the availability of open water which previously was unreachable has opened up and thus created and establish Arctic policy of the United States. Recently in 2013 “President Obama published the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, in which defining the desired the status of the Arctic Region is one of stability and free of conflict, where nations act responsibly in a spirit of trust and cooperation, and where economic and energy resources are developed in a sustainable manner” (US Navy Arctic Road Map). Also in 2013, the Secretary of Defense published the Department of Defense Arctic Strategy, which named the two objectives of establishing security and to be prepared for a wide range of challenges that the region poses. Although it is unlikely that an arm to arm conflict will occur in this region, it is in the United States best interests that territorial disputes are solved peacefully. As the Arctic increases in areas of open water, it is high crucial that the United States is properly trained and equipped for the challenges this region poses. The United States has established a three part policy of near future (present- 2020), mid-term (2020-2030), and far term (beyond 2030) in hopes to create realistic goals and expectations for this region and its future. Surface ships of the United States Navy do not have so much experience operating unlike our nations submarines, but with exercise such as IceX the navy’s surface ship can increase their capabilities in this region.

Future in Arctic

The future of this region is unable to be exactly predicted and use of this region for shipping lanes or sources of natural resources depends on the availability of open water which is increasing year to year. It is estimated that the Arctic Ocean of the coast of Alaska is estimated to have vast hydrocarbon and other natural resources. As a result of the Arctic region warming up faster than other region of the globe, the Arctic ice cap in 2012 reached it smallest extent in history. As passage ways become available maritime activity is likely to increase along the Northern Sea Route, especially in the Chukchi Sea in north east Alaska, and along the Bering Strait. Extreme conditions and lack of experience in this region make it difficult to future maritime activity, but as passage ways open up it is in the United States best interest to explore and protect this region. As maritime participation increases it is critical that the United States Navy and Coast Guard be prepared for challenges in this region. As access to this water opens up, we will see an increase in maritime activity. The shorter route offers an interesting and fuel sailing appeal to maritime companies. The Northern Sea Route, which goes from north eastern Asia north over Russia to Rotterdam, is forty percent shorter than the traditional route through the Suez Canal. Other trade routes which could increase in the region are the Northwest Passage, along the northern coast of Canada, and the Transpolar Sea Route which goes directly through the Arctic. However, the availability of these routes depends on the amount of Ice formations present in the summer time. With the trend of increasing routes through the north, but limitation due to winter weather and ice caps this region is expected to see only about two percent of the world maritime trade. Countries with exclusive economic interest in this region seek to preserve a peacefully and safe environment in this region when it comes to territorial claims and commercial development. The Arctic Council which seeks to promote stability in the region consist of the following eight countries whom have economical interest in the region: the United States, Canada, Russia, Denmark (by means of Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.