Northern Warfare Training Center

Northern Warfare Training Center, NWTC
Black Rapids, Alaska

NWTC Insignia
Coordinates 64°49′40″N 147°38′34″W / 64.8277778°N 147.6427778°W / 64.8277778; -147.6427778Coordinates: 64°49′40″N 147°38′34″W / 64.8277778°N 147.6427778°W / 64.8277778; -147.6427778
Type Military base
Site information
Controlled by US Army Alaska
Site history
In use - present

The Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC) is a United States Army Alaska installation located in Black Rapids, Alaska. It is the Active Army's only Cold Region Training Proponent.

Arctic, subarctic, and mountain environments are brutally unforgiving to the unprepared. Units that have successfully fought in these environments have historically been those with special individual skills, are physically and mentally tough, and have extensive experience and expertise operating in harsh conditions.

Mission

According to the NWTC, its mission is "to provide relevant training to the leaders of USARAK units so that they can fight and win in demanding cold weather and mountain environments. A Soldier trained in winter is also a good summer fighter; trained only in summer he is helpless in the winter!"[1]

NWTC trains units and leaders in cold weather and mountain operations in order to increase warfighting capabilities.

NWTC History

Courses offered

Scope. This course familiarizes commanders and staff officers with the knowledge/skills required in successfully planning and conducting operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, effects of the winter environment on operations, and planning considerations unique to the winter battlefield and cold regions. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course of instruction.

Scope. This course trains squad and platoon level leaders in the knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in a cold, snow-covered environment. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and materiel, use of basic cold weather clothing and equipment, winter field craft, snowshoe/ski techniques, and winter/cold regions navigation and route planning. Attendees will receive comprehensive instruction/training materials enabling them to implement basic, cold-weather and ski-training programs within their units. Cold weather risk-management procedures are stressed throughout the course.

Scope. This 15-day course trains selected Soldiers in the fundamental knowledge/skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in typical, mountainous terrain found throughout the world. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 1 mountaineering tasks described in FM 3-97.61, Appendix A. Graduates are awarded SQI "E", Military Mountaineer IAW DA PAM 611-21, Table 12-1.

Scope. This 11-day course trains selected Soldiers in the knowledge/skills required to lead small units/teams over technically difficult, hazardous or exposed (Class 4 and 5) mountainous terrain during summer months. Emphasis is placed on developing the Level 2 mountaineering tasks described in Chapter 2, FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations (2002 Revision) and FM 3-97.61, Military Mountaineering. The course is intended for units or individuals that will conduct operations in mountainous terrain and must operate independently of major units or organizations or will lead larger organizations over technically hazardous terrain.

a. Course Purpose. To train all Soldiers, regardless of job function, in the skills required to successfully train and operate in a cold, snow-covered environment. Attendees will gain confidence in their cold weather clothing and equipment and their ability to care for themselves in the cold weather environment.
b. Course Scope. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cold on personnel and material, recognition, treatment and prevention of cold weather injuries, use of basic cold weather clothing and equipment, winter field-craft, use of cold weather shelters, use of Army approved heaters, and over snow movement techniques. Cold weather risk management procedures are stressed throughout the course of instruction.

Two week Basic Mountaineering, plus Greeley Phase and River Phase: Geography, Climate, and phenonmenon of Northern Area of Operations, Living in the Field, Hazards to Movement, Medical Problems, Inland Waterways, River Training, Boat Operations, River charting, reading and navigation, and Stream Crossing.

See also

References

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