EIS/OEIS
Alaska Training Areas
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Alaska Training Areas (see map)
Background
The Gulf of Alaska and Alaska’s inland training areas offer the U.S. Navy an ideal
combination of attributes that make this training venue strategically important.
Among these attributes are the size of the training areas, their proximity to other
military forces, and the unique oceanographic and environmental conditions of the
ocean areas. Within the Gulf of Alaska, the Navy routinely trains in the temporary
Maritime Exercise Area to prepare its Sailors to defend our nation.
The Navy also conducts air activities in established U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army
inland training areas.
The location and size of the various training areas (see Figure 1) allow the Navy
to train with other military Services, including the Air Force, Army, and U.S. Coast
Guard, in “joint,” or multi-Service, training activities. These joint exercises
provide Service men and women with the opportunity to practice realistic training
scenarios using complex skills required in real-life combat. The air, land, and
sea spaces in and around the Gulf of Alaska have and continue to provide a
realistic training environment for the men and women in uniform.
Proposed Action
To keep up with advances in global defense technology and new national security
challenges, the Navy must reassess and enhance its training activities and capabilities
to prepare its Sailors for combat. The Navy must also periodically
reassess and alter how it trains with other military and civilian organizations
in conducting its homeland security/homeland defense mission. The Navy’s proposed
changes in the level and type of training activities in Alaska and in the Gulf of
Alaska are called the Proposed Action.
Prior to undertaking the Proposed Action, the Navy will prepare a study called an
Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS).
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Executive
Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major
Federal Actions, the Navy will evaluate the potential environmental effects
associated with the Proposed Action.
Figure 1. The Alaska training areas include established inland Military Operating
Areas, an overwater Warning Area, and three Restricted Areas (targeted live fire ranges)
totaling 60,780 mi2 (38,899,200 acres). A
temporary Maritime Exercise Area provides 42,146 nm2
(144,560 km2) of surface and subsurface ocean operating
area and overlying airspace in the Gulf of Alaska.
Defending the Nation and Protecting the Environment
Defending the United States and protecting military personnel requires rigorous, real-life
training in the air, on land, and at sea. Conducting realistic training is one of the most
important things the Navy does to ensure its Service men and women are ready and able to
respond to national security challenges. Readiness requires specialized locations where
military personnel can learn, through practical hands-on experience, the technical skills
necessary to effectively plan, conduct, and succeed in combat.
The size, location, and environment of the Alaska training areas provide unparalleled
and essential training opportunities. The training conducted here ensures Navy personnel can
successfully protect the United States and keep its interests safe. While
conducting this training, the Navy is committed to protecting the land, air, and marine
environments.
Northern Edge Joint Training Exercises
The annual Northern Edge exercise is Alaska’s largest joint (multi-Service) training
exercise designed to prepare U.S. Service men and women to respond to various natural
disasters, global conflicts, and homeland defense/homeland security scenarios, leading
to a safer and more secure Alaska and United States overall.
Typically, Northern Edge exercises focus on homeland defense and homeland security
activities during odd-numbered years and on joint warfare training during even-numbered
years. Beginning in 2009, exercises during odd-numbered years will focus on joint
warfare training, while homeland defense/homeland security exercises will occur during
even-numbered years. Northern Edge exercises have a different theme each year, such
as peace keeping missions, earthquake response, critical infrastructure protection,
harbor defense, combat search and rescue, land invasion prevention, terrorist and
bioterrorism attack response, and simulated regional conflicts. Depending on the
theme of that year’s training, exercises can include 6,000 to 14,000 personnel from
the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, State
of Alaska, federal and local agencies, allied nations, and nongovernmental organizations.
History of Northern Edge
Since 1975, joint training exercises have occurred in Alaska under various names,
including Jack Frost, Brim Frost, and Arctic Warrior. The first Northern Edge
exercise occurred in 1993. In 1994, Operation Northern Edge was “activated” in
response to a simulated mission calling for peace enforcement exercises. This was
the first time that joint training activities focused on peace keeping measures.
The Red Cross, International Medical Corps, Feed the Children, and other
nongovernmental organizations participated to add to the realism of the training
exercise.
In 2005, Northern Edge was combined with the State of Alaska’s homeland security
exercise called Alaska Shield for a larger simulated training experience. This
combined exercise included personnel from the Department of Defense, the State
of Alaska, other local government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.
The goal of the combined Alaska Shield/Northern Edge exercise was to promote a
cooperative, interagency response to various natural and human-made disaster and
terrorist-related scenarios. Designed to train military and civilian “first
responders” and test organizational and integration skills at all levels of
government, the exercise provided participants with a wide range of training
opportunities that included simulated natural disasters and terrorist events in
21 communities throughout Alaska. The Alaska Shield/Northern Edge exercise was
considered a capstone event for Alaska’s three-year Homeland Security Exercise
and Evaluation Plan and was listed as an exercise of “national relevance” by
the Department of Homeland Security.
The goal of Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2005 was to promote a cooperative,
interagency response to various natural and human-made disaster and
terrorist-related scenarios. Designed to train military and civilian
“first responders” and test organizational and integration skills at all
levels of government, the combined exercise provided participants with a
wide range of training opportunities that included simulated natural disasters
and terrorist events in 21 communities throughout Alaska.
Northern Edge 2006 focused on honing military combat and support units’ war
fighting skills. Approximately 5,000 Service men and women from the U.S.
Services participated in the exercise, which showcased and tested the
nation’s newest combat capabilities, including the F-22A Raptor.
Sponsored by the U.S. Northern Command, Northern Edge 2007 focused on
protecting the energy sector, evacuation planning, and responding to
maritime and airborne threats. Participants of Northern Edge 2007 included
representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice,
the Department of Homeland Security, Alaska state agencies, local agencies,
and private energy sector organizations.
Northern Edge 2008 will be held for two weeks from May 5 - 16, 2008.
Participants will include approximately 9,000 personnel from the Navy, Army,
Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and various contracted vessels.
Sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command, Northern Edge 2008 will involve
joint tactical exercises to train, evaluate, investigate, and assess
various concepts of warfare, both on land and at sea.
The Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose of the Navy’s Proposed Action is to ensure Navy personnel and other
military forces are ready to respond to challenges to our nation’s security by
maintaining the continued vitality of the Alaska training areas as an
essential training venue. The Proposed Action is necessary because it will allow
the Navy to:
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Maintain current levels of military readiness by training in Alaska and in the Gulf
of Alaska;
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Accommodate future increases in training activities from current levels as necessary
to support Fleet exercise requirements;
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Accommodate mission requirements associated with force structure changes;
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Maintain the long-term viability of the Gulf of Alaska as a premiere Navy training
area while protecting human health and the environment; and
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Support civilian authorities in homeland defense training exercises.
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What will be evaluated?
The EIS/OEIS will evaluate three alternatives to help determine the appropriate level and type
of training activities for the Navy to accomplish the needs outlined above.
No Action Alternative:
Under the No Action Alternative, training activities within Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska
would continue at current levels. This
alternative includes one annual training exercise and excludes the use of mid-frequency active sonar. This
alternative provides a baseline for assessing the potential environmental effects of the
other alternatives.
Activities currently conducted in the Gulf of Alaska can be divided into the following
primary mission areas:
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Anti-air warfare
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Anti-submarine warfare
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Anti-surface warfare
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Electronic combat
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Naval special warfare
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Strike warfare
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Training with other military and non-military organizations in support of civilian
authorities in homeland defense training exercises
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Alternative 1:
Alternative 1 is a proposal designed to meet Navy and Department of Defense current and
near-term training requirements. In addition to training activities currently conducted,
this alternative proposes an increase in the
number of training activities, including the use of mid-frequency active sonar, and force structure changes associated with the
introduction of new weapon systems, vessels, and aircraft into the Fleet. Specifically,
Alternative 1 proposes to:
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Increase current levels of training activities; and
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Implement training activities associated with proposed force structure changes for:
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New platforms and vehicles, including:
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EA-18G Growler Aircraft
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Guided Missile Submarine
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P-8 Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft
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Unmanned Aerial Systems
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New weapon systems, including:
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Improved Extended Echo Ranging Sonobuoy
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Advanced Extended Echo Ranging Sonobuoy
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Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative):
Alternative 2 is the Navy’s preferred alternative because it would fully support
the Navy’s requirements to achieve complete Fleet readiness while allowing the
greatest flexibility for the Navy and joint participants to benefit from the
unique training environment in Alaska and in the Gulf of Alaska. Alternative 2
is designed to meet current and near-term training requirements and proposes to:
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Include all elements of Alternative 1; plus
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Increase the number of training activities over levels identified
in Alternative 1
by adding
a second annual training exercise.
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