Snipers train in the Arctic Edge exercise in 2022. Adapting military tactics in the harsh environment is a priority for the U.S. military. U.S. ARMY
THE WATCH STAFF
The Arctic presents challenges that don’t exist anywhere else in the world: extreme cold, wind, snow and ice and unpredictable weather patterns. Not to mention an almost complete lack of infrastructure. But the rapidly changing risk environment has made it expedient to train U.S. troops in all types of roles for a potential conflict in the region. Maintaining a military presence and capability in the Arctic is a high priority for the U.S. and an essential part of the mission for U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).
An Army sniper recently offered a detailed portrait of what it takes to excel in the Arctic environment while performing an extremely difficult task: maintaining a sniping position for up to 10 hours at a time in frigid conditions. Staff Sgt. Phillip Cho, a sniper in the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska, collaborated on an essay with Business Insider, a U.S. online news site, to describe how he has learned to thrive in the Arctic. “What I’ve preached for years now is that in order to be a successful sniper in the Arctic, you have to have imagination,” Cho told the news site in a story published in April 2024.
Finnish sniper Simo Häyhä, known as “The White Death,” operated in Arctic environments during World War II and was responsible for 500 enemy deaths. Cho said Army snipers have adopted many of Häyhä’s tactics into their training, including wetting the surrounding of the firing point so when snipers fire, a plume of snow would not fly up in the airand give their spot away, and putting snow in their mouths so it’s invisible when they breathe. “We’ve built many of our tactics, techniques and procedures off of Häyhä’s experience in that real war,” Cho said.
Another Arctic lesson learned is to avoid breathing on equipment to prevent it from freezing, something snipers don’t have to worry about in the jungle or desert, Cho said. On missions, Cho and a scout pack supplies on a sled and wear enough layers of clothing to stay warm for hours. Cho estimated his longest Arctic mission in one position was 10 hours. During the winter, the extra supplies may add 90 to 120 extra pounds, he said.
Cho’s experience is part of a strategy to defend the Arctic and increase domain awareness outlined in the U.S. Army’s 2021 Arctic policy. “Operating in the Arctic allows the Army to powerfully project our forces to enhance our ability to respond in competition, crisis and/or conflict. This enhanced Arctic capability will increase the Army’s ability to operate in extreme cold-weather, mountainous and high-latitude environments,” according to a March 2021 Army news release.
In 2024, the Arctic Edge exercise demonstrated USNORTHCOM capabilities across land, air and maritime domains. “ARCTIC EDGE is an annual, multifaceted joint military exercise with international/interagency partners participating. It enables NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and components to demonstrate operational capabilities that are critical for integrated deterrence, layered defense, and resilience in the Arctic. Multinational operations/activities are a tangible representation of U.S. commitment to our Allies and partners and demonstrate our shared commitment to global security and stability,” a March 2024 Department of Defense publication stated.
As Cho’s account illustrates, the Arctic environment poses specific challenges that require tailored technology, assets, infrastructure, training and planning. The National Strategy for the Arctic region, released in October 2024, seeks to “enhance and exercise both our military and civilian capabilities in the Arctic as required to deter threats and to anticipate, prevent, and respond to both natural and human-made incidents. We will improve our understanding of the Arctic environment and develop whole-of-government capabilities to support expanding activity in the U.S. Arctic region. We will deepen cooperation with Arctic Allies and partners in support of these objectives and to manage risks of further militarization or unintended conflict, including those resulting from geopolitical tensions with Russia,” the 15-page document states.