Arctic will become ‘contested’ without US presence and partnerships, 2nd Fleet CO warns
Diana Stancy Correll
OXON HILL, Md. — Enhancing presence and cultivating partnerships in the Arctic are vital to ensuring the region does not become a contested space, according to 2nd Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Andrew “Woody” Lewis.
“The Arctic is a cooperative area. But it will only remain a cooperative area if we continue to build those relationships — even with the Russians,” Lewis said at The Navy League’s 2021 Sea-Air-Space Exposition on Monday. “We have to work together because the environment is very, very challenging … and the environment is changing.”
“But if we aren’t present there, and if we aren’t continuing to build those partnerships, it will be a contested space,” said Lewis, who also heads NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk.
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/08/02/arctic-will-become-contested-without-us-presence-and-partnerships-2nd-fleet-co-warns/
