11th Airborne Division

The 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Air Assault), known as the “Arctic Wolves,” is based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and serves as a key component of the 11th Airborne Division’s Arctic force. Specializing in air assault operations and extreme cold weather warfare, the Arctic Wolves are trained to rapidly maneuver, project combat power, and operate across vast and austere terrain in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions.

The 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), known as the “Spartans,” is based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and serves as a rapidly deployable force within the 11th Airborne Division. Specializing in expeditionary Arctic warfare and airborne joint forcible entry operations, the Spartans are trained to conduct parachute assaults, seize and secure key terrain, and enable follow-on forces across the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions.

The Arctic Aviation Command, 11th Airborne Division, provides mission command and oversight of Army aviation forces in Alaska, enabling air assault, sustainment, and MEDEVAC operations in extreme cold weather and Arctic environments. As the division’s aviation enabler, it plays a critical role in supporting the movement of the 1st Maneuver Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Wainwright, executing air assault operations that rapidly project combat power across vast and austere terrain. The command ensures training readiness, risk mitigation, and resourcing to support operations in high latitude, mountainous, and cold weather conditions.

With its two aviation battalions, the command delivers aerial command and control, air movement, and air assault capabilities while providing timely information collection and increased maneuver space for ground forces. Arctic Aviation Command enables the combined arms team to disrupt, delay, and defeat enemy forces while extending operational reach through mobility, logistics, and reconnaissance. This capability strengthens joint and allied interoperability, reinforces credible deterrence, and ensures the division remains ready to fight and win in the Arctic.

The Division Engineer Battalion provides mission command to plan, integrate, and direct engineer capabilities in support of the 11th Airborne Division. It synchronizes combat, general, and geospatial engineering operations, enabling freedom of maneuver while enhancing survivability and operational reach across complex and austere environments. The battalion coordinates with higher headquarters for airlift support and integrates assigned and attached engineer units to deliver mission tailored effects in support of division operations.

The battalion executes mobility, countermobility, and survivability tasks that enable brigade combat teams to fight and win. These capabilities include rapid runway repair, airfield and landing zone construction, base camp development, obstacle reduction, and area clearance. By providing critical engineering support across the battlefield, the Division Engineer Battalion strengthens readiness, enhances interoperability, and reinforces the division’s ability to project and sustain combat power in Arctic and expeditionary operations.

The 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, known as “The Ready Battalion,” operates out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright, Alaska and provides essential sustainment and mission command support to the 11th Airborne Division. Specializing in area sustainment and CBRNE operations, the Ready Battalion is trained and equipped to deliver responsive and flexible logistics across the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions, ensuring forces remain supplied, maintained, and operational in the most extreme environments.

The Northern Warfare Training Center, based in Black Rapids, Alaska, provides world class cold weather and mountain warfare training to U.S. military forces and designated personnel to enhance warfighting capability in extreme environments. As the Army’s premier Arctic and mountain training institution, NWTC builds individual and unit proficiency in operating across snow covered, mountainous, and high latitude terrain, strengthening readiness for operations in some of the most challenging conditions on earth.

In addition to training, NWTC supports joint and coalition partners through theater security cooperation and outreach missions aligned with Indo Pacific objectives. The center is also prepared to assist in rescue and recovery operations worldwide and conducts high altitude rescue missions in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior in the vicinity of Denali National Park. Through these efforts, NWTC enhances interoperability, strengthens partnerships, and reinforces the Army’s ability to fight and win in cold weather and mountainous environments.

The Sgt. 1st Class Christopher R. Brevard Noncommissioned Officer Academy, located at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, develops disciplined and adaptive leaders by training noncommissioned officers and specialists in the fundamentals of leadership and warfighting. The academy prepares NCOs to serve as subject matter experts in their military occupational specialties while building the skills required to supervise, train, and lead Soldiers in dynamic and demanding environments.

Through structured professional military education, the academy enhances readiness by instilling confidence, accountability, and a strong sense of responsibility. NCOs are trained to communicate intent, enforce standards, and lead teams in the execution of collective tasks, ensuring units remain cohesive, lethal, and prepared to accomplish their missions.