Whoever Owns Alaska Owns the World: Inside the Army's Most Extreme Division #ArcticAngels #USARMY

"Whoever owns Alaska owns the world." These prophetic words from the founder of the modern Air Force, General Billy Mitchell, ring truer today than ever before. Operating in the most unforgiving and extreme environment on the planet, the 11th Airborne Division "Arctic Angels" @jeremycholm stands guard at the top of the world. But what does it take to fight, survive, and win when temperatures plummet to -40°F and the elements are as dangerous as the enemy? In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission®, video podcast, host 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack L. Tilley, takes you inside the Army's premier extreme cold-weather warfighting force. Sitting down with Major General John P. Cogbill and Command Sergeant Major David P. Hanson, this conversation explores the epic rebirth of the 11th Airborne Division. Born in the sweltering jungles of the WWII Pacific theater—where they executed the flawless Los Baños POW rescue and became the first Allied force to occupy Japan—this storied division is now dominating the frozen tundra. Discover how these modern-day warriors are forging a new breed of "Arctic Tough" Soldiers, utilizing Soldier Innovation Labs to test cutting-edge technology in sub-zero conditions, and projecting unmatched global power straight from the last frontier. Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to the harshest fighting environment on Earth 01:40 – Meet the Leaders: MG Cogbill & CSM Hanson 05:30 – The Epic WWII History of the 11th Airborne Division 09:51 – Reborn in Alaska: Transforming into an Active Airborne Division 12:31 – The Army’s Arctic Innovation Lab: Testing Gear in Sub-Zero Temps 16:49 – Surviving vs. Thriving: What it means to be "Arctic Tough" 21:02 – INDOPACOM Partnerships & Projecting Global Power 26:15 – Soldier Innovation Labs: From field problems to battlefield solutions 29:00 – JPMRC: High-end collective training in extreme Alaskan winter 30:46 – Why Alaska is the most strategic location on Earth 33:42 – Quality of life initiatives for Arctic Soldiers and their Families 1, What does it actually take to become "Arctic Tough" in the US Army's harshest environment? 2. How did a division famous for fighting in the WWII Pacific jungles become the premier extreme cold-weather force? 3. What happens when standard Army equipment and technology face -40°F weather? 4. Did you know the 11th Airborne executed one of the most successful POW rescues in military history? 5. How is the 11th Airborne spearheading continuous transformation with Soldier Innovation Labs? 6. How does the military project power into the INDOPACOM theater straight from Alaska? 7. What makes the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) one of the toughest training centers in the world? 8. How does bottom-up feedback from Soldiers lead to better gear, like the redesigned vapor barrier boots? 9. Considering a tour in Alaska? Find out why Soldiers end up fighting to stay. 10. What is the new "Arctic Jumpmaster Academy," and how is it changing airborne operations? 11. Why did the founder of the modern Air Force say, "Whoever owns Alaska owns the world"? 12. What specific quality of life initiatives is the Army heavily investing in for Soldiers stationed at JBER and Fort Wainwright? #11thAirborne #ArcticAngels #USArmy #MilitaryHistory #ColdWeatherTraining #Airborne #YourNextMission #JackTilley #JBER #ArmyStrong #Veterans #militaryinnovation