As Russia, China eye resource-rich Arctic, U.S. expands commands
With growing claims on resource-rich Arctic seas and territory by Russia and China, the Pentagon announced on April 8 it is expanding the areas of responsibility for several of its commands to cover the region.
The U.S. Northern Command is now in charge of defending challenges to the Arctic as part of the new Unified Command Plan signed by President Obama on April 6. Northern Command, based in Colorado Springs, also will take charge of Alaska.