Photo By Correy Mathews | Army first sergeant Justin Warner, assigned to the Northern Warfare Training Center,...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Arctic is a proving ground for innovation, readiness and lethality. For the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the region serves as a living laboratory where soldiers adapt, innovate and prepare to meet the challenges of the Indo-Pacific.
As America’s northernmost division, the 11th Airborne is uniquely positioned to project combat power rapidly and operate in austere, contested environments. The division’s participation in Operation Pathways and at LANPAC26 in Honolulu, Hawaii, highlights its critical role in supporting U.S. interests and strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. As a key participant in Operation Pathways, the 11th Airborne Division provides consistent present west of the International Date Line to conduct realistic rehearsals on strategically significant terrain. These opportunities, as part of the Ready Forward initiative, allow the division to refine tactics, strengthen interoperability with regional partners, and ensure rapid response capabilities in complex environments.
“The Indo-Pacific is a region of immense strategic importance, and the 11th Airborne Division stands ready to meet the challenges of this dynamic environment,” said Maj. Gen. John P. Cogbill, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division. “Our unique capabilities as America’s Arctic Division allow us to project combat power rapidly and operate effectively in some of the most austere and contested terrains in the world.” Operating at the intersection of the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, the division embodies the Army’s commitment to building readiness through innovation. From mastering cold- weather operations to refining tactics for high-latitude warfare, the division leverages Alaska’s unforgiving environment to develop capabilities unmatched across the force. Every exercise, training event and modernization effort is an opportunity to test and refine solutions that enhance lethality and ensure soldiers are prepared for the complexities of the Indo-Pacific theater.
The division’s force structure includes both a mobile brigade combat team (airborne) and a mobile brigade combat team (air assault), providing commanders with rapid, flexible options to conduct operations across the region. These capabilities enable joint forcible-entry operations, maneuver across restrictive terrain and sustained combat power in dispersed environments. Supporting these formations is the Arctic Aviation Command, which enhances the division’s ability to synchronize aviation operations and rapidly position forces.
“Readiness is the foundation of everything we do,” Cogbill said. “From the frozen tundra of Alaska to the dense jungles of the Indo-Pacific, our soldiers are trained, equipped and prepared to adapt and innovate in the most challenging conditions on the planet. The 11th Airborne Division is not just ready for today’s challenges — we are building the force of the future.”
Training in Alaska’s extreme conditions develops soldiers who are resilient, adaptable and innovative. The Northern Warfare Training Center plays a critical role, providing cold-weather and mountain warfare training that prepares soldiers to operate in the most demanding environments. This expertise is vital for Arctic operations and translates directly to the Indo-Pacific, where complex terrain and austere conditions are the norm.
Through continuous training, modernization and partnerships, the 11th Airborne Division is shaping the future of land warfare in the Indo-Pacific. Exercises like the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center validate the division’s ability to operate alongside joint and multinational partners, strengthening interoperability and enhancing combat effectiveness. Modernization efforts focus on improving mobility, survivability and communications, ensuring soldiers can operate effectively in austere conditions. “Our strength lies not only in our unique capabilities but also in our partnerships and our people,” Cogbill said. “Whether training with our joint partners and multinational allies or investing in the well-being and development of our soldiers and their families, the 11th Airborne Division is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, resilience and respect. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will succeed in securing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
From Alaska to the Indo-Pacific, the 11th Airborne Division is forging the future of land warfare. Its combination of Arctic expertise, airborne and air assault capabilities, and innovative approaches to readiness and lethality make it a critical component of U.S. land power in the region. The Arctic is not just a frontier — it is the frontline for innovation, and the 11th Airborne Division is leading the way.
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2026 17:14 |
| Story ID: | 564350 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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