Strategic Challenges:Arctic Defence Symposium Attended by Military,Academic,Intelligence Community Leaders

A wide range of leaders with an interest and expertise in the emerging Arctic gathered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage,Alaska for the Arctic Maritime Symposium 2018.The symposium is a framework for experienced senior military leaders,intelligence analysts,interagency operators and Arctic maritime subject matter experts to discuss the strategic challenges associated with Arctic maritime operations.
The AMS was held from 14-16 August 2018 and hosted by LTGEN Kenneth Wilsback,US Air Force,commander,Alaska Command.The keynote speakers were ADM Sam J. Locklear,US Navy (Retired),former commander,US Pacific Command and Heather A. Conley,senior vice president for Europe,Eurasia and the Arctic,Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington,D.C.Expert support was provided by the Center for Naval Analysis;the US Naval War College;the National War College;Montclair University;and the Office of Naval Intelligence(ONI).Also represented were the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the US Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center (ICC).
The International Panel included Cmdre Jamie Clark,Royal Canadian Navy,Deputy Director NORAD&USNORTHCOM J5;CDR Jens Peter Holst-Andersen,Vice Chair/Commander,Danish Ministry of Defence;and CDR Julia Tortell,Deputy Commandant,Finnish Naval Academy.*
Attending AMS from the US Navy was RDML Cedric Pringle,commander,Expeditionary Strike Group-3.*
The Symposium was informed by the following advice and authorities:
1.Maritime Homeland Defense EXORD:
Provide an environment of uncertainty  for anyone planning or attempting an attack on the United States.
2.(U) 2009 National Security Presidential Directive 66:
the United States must be prepared to safeguard its National Security Interests in the Arctic.
3.(U) 2016 DOD Arctic Strategy:
need for increased maritime surface and subsurface presence,surveillance and capabilities.*
Addressing AMS was the new NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander,GEN Terrence O'Shaughnessy,US Air Force:
Changes in the Arctic environment could give our adversaries the impression that the Arctic offers a soft underbelly in our ability to defend the homeland.The defence of the homeland requires us to reinvigorate our efforts to ensure we remain ready to operate in and through the Arctic.Secretary (of Defense) Mattis recently said that America has got to up its game in the Arctic.
Russia most notably has aggressively built Arctic military capability,securing planes and expanding access along the Northern Sea Route.We must keep in mind that,for the Russians,the Arctic is their front yard and their back yard.
Given the Arctic's unique challenges,coupled with increased accessability,it is vital that we have the capability to respond in and through the Arctic,GEN O'Shaughnessy pointed out.*
Also representing the US Navy at AMS was the guided missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92),which moored at the Port of Alaska in Anchorage.A US Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet executed a flyby over the Momsen.