Army Infantry learns how to stay mobile and combat effective in the world's most unforgiven environment

"Our snow is so dry and powdery,” explained Isaac Howell on the rugged conditions in Central Alaska. "You don’t stand on it at all, whether you are in skis or snowshoes — you don’t go across the top of it, you go through it. You are plowing snow the entire day regardless of whether you are wearing snowshoes or not."

Howell is a senior test officer with the Army’s Arctic Mobility Sustainment System, which was testing new Infantry equipment at the U.S. Army Cold Regions Test Center. Soldiers from the Army's only arctic specialized unit, the 11th Airborne Division tested the new gear.

The Arctic is perhaps the most hostile environment on Earth. The temperature during this round of tests never got above negative twenty degrees. Movement through the snow is extremely difficult, the cold saps the energy out of soldiers as well as their electronics. Infantrymen have to move not just with their standard military load out of weapons and kit, but also the specialized gear needed simply to survive in sub-zero temperatures.

During the test, the Infantrymen would conduct a two-and-a-half-hour movement through the tundra, then begin setting up thermal tents, and space heaters, and then consume a cold weather Meal Ready to Eat (higher calorie count than normal military rations). Afterward, they would break down their gear and return to their start point via another route. Equipment was pulled in another new piece of gear being tested, a sled that may be replacing the older Ahkio sled.

Army testers followed along with the troops, observing how the new tents, sleds, and other gear held up. They were also there to maintain the safety of the soldiers, ensuring they were taken care of during the testing process.

"It was pretty cool being able to experience that and see what all the new equipment is like," said Pvt. 1st Class Tyler Worrell.