Santa CINC Arrives

Well, we don't have a separate Polar Command to operate in the Arctic Circle, but we do have a combatant command with the primary responsibility for thinking about the region, and have relieved Pacific Command of arctic responsibilities (with responsibilities from Antarctica to Japan and North Korea, I doubt they gave too much thought to the north pole region anyway). In part, we are:

- Shifting areas of responsibilities boundaries in the Arctic region to leverage long-standing relationships and improve unity of effort. As a result of this realignment, responsibility for the Arctic region is now shared between USEUCOM and USNORTHCOM rather than USEUCOM, USNORTHCOM and USPACOM as directed in previous UCPs.

- Giving USNORTHCOM responsibility to advocate for Arctic capabilities.

The new map for combatant commands is here.

I assume this reorganization will reduce the possibility of friendly fire the night of December 24-25 each year.