On 17 and 18 April 2001 the Oceanographer of the Navy, the Office of Naval Research, the Arctic Research Commission, and the Naval Ice Center co- sponsored a symposium on Naval Operations in an ice-free Arctic. The purpose of the symposium was to evaluate potential U.S. naval operations, provide initial guidance in determining potential naval missions, and identify future naval requirements for operations in an ice diminished Arctic. There were fifty military and civilian participants representing the Navy staff, the fleet, program managers, U.S. Coast Guard operators, Arctic subject matter experts, Canadian military and civilian experts and officers from the Royal Navy. Their diligent efforts and willingness to share their insights concerning proposed naval operations in a challenging environment will be invaluable to the development of new concepts, strategies, policies, and programs. Throughout the symposium, participants were required to assess potential needs against operationally driven requirements, identifying and documenting shortfalls and limitations and their impacts on operating in an ice-free Arctic (summer). Facilitator- led discussions assisted in clarifying and refining identified strategies, operational impacts and required capabilities. While the conference focused on an ice-free Arctic, it should be noted that a more correct term is a navigable Arctic with ice infested waters.


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