CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard will host the National Guard Arctic Interest Council June 25-27 in Golden.
About 50 National Guard representatives from 16 states and the National Guard Bureau will provide subject matter experts to review, evaluate and recommend to the U.S. Army the tactics, force design, and equipment necessary to fight in extreme cold weather with deep snow or ice.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Loh, the adjutant general of Colorado, and U.S. Army Gen. Laura Clellan, assistant adjutant general, will provide opening remarks.
"The arctic is a rapidly evolving, critical, and contested environment where our National Guard is the premier force provider," Loh said. "The Arctic Interest Council and interagency and international partners can harness National Guard training and experience operating in extreme cold weather conditions to protect U.S. interests in the region."
Representatives from U.S. Northern Command, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the National Renewable Energies Laboratory, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will also brief NG-AIC participants.
The NG-AIC was established May 25, 2017, to address the rapidly changing arctic environment and the National Guard's combined interest in the region. It is a multi-state effort from among states with arctic interests, capabilities, and resources. CONG is lead for equipment development.
The NG-AIC represents the National Guard while coordinating with Department of Defense, interagency, and international partners.