11th Airborne Division demonstrates extreme environment readiness in Alaska

KOTZEBUE, Alaska — Soldiers assigned to Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, recently completed a historic mission in Kotzebue, Alaska, including the first Cold-Weather All-Terrain Vehicle, or CATV, swim north of the Arctic Circle.

Two U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIs transported Soldiers, CATVs and mission-essential equipment from Fort Wainwright to Kotzebue. Upon arrival, two CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment “Sugar Bears” conducted an air assault insertion, delivering B Troop into position to begin operations.

Before the historic swim, the troop performed reconnaissance across the surrounding tundra, an environment unlike anything most Soldiers will face in their careers. Here, the ground is a patchwork of muskeg, a sponge-like mat of moss and soil that swallows boots, slows every step and hides pools of water just beneath the surface. With no frozen ground to bear weight and no developed trails to follow, Soldiers relied on careful navigation and sheer endurance to move through the terrain.

“The tundra is a tough and unforgiving place. It will test both an individual’s physical and mental toughness,” said 1st Sgt. Austen Giles and Capt. Tanner Johnson, B Troop leadership, in a joint statement. “The Soldiers of B Troop demonstrated they have what it takes to not only survive in an extremely harsh environment, but to fight and win.”

This is the kind of challenge unique to the 11th Airborne Division. Unlike units that train for a single climate or operational setting, Arctic Angels prepare for every extreme, from frozen winter tundra to soggy summer muskeg. In Kotzebue, they demonstrated that their skills aren’t bound by season.

The highlight of the mission came when the unit executed a CATV swim across the saltwater lagoon along Kotzebue Sound. This marked the first time the vehicle had been swum in Arctic waters north of the circle. The environment challenged crews with rapidly changing tides, wind-driven waves and cold, silty water, conditions far different from inland training sites and a true test of the CATV’s amphibious capabilities.

“Kotzebue, for those who don’t know, is near the Arctic Ocean and north of the Arctic Circle,” said Lt. Col. Ludwig, 5-1 Cavalry Squadron commander. “So we had the opportunity this time to put them through the muskeg and drive them around the tundra when it was not frozen. And we also had the opportunity to swim them across some of the Arctic waters that they have up here, including some open-water, saltwater conditions and environments.”

The mission’s success was the result of close coordination between multiple Army units, Air Force airlift crews and local partners. From the moment the CATVs rolled off the aircraft to the final swim, every phase required precise timing and adaptability in an environment where weather and terrain can change with little warning.

“The community of Kotzebue has been nothing but supportive of our training,” Giles and Johnson said. “They helped move personnel and equipment, provided lodging and were part of the team that successfully conducted the CATV swim. It demonstrates what can be accomplished through Army and community relationships.”

The people of Kotzebue not only welcomed the Soldiers into their community but also shared their local knowledge of the land and water, helping the unit better understand the challenges of operating in the Arctic. Their partnership was a reminder that successful Arctic operations depend not only on military skill and equipment, but also on the strength of the relationships built with those who call this environment home.