Page 33 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

continued to be used by the Air Force after World War II for search and rescue until the mid-1950s when the helicopter finally closed the door.
In the 1950s sled teams were used by the 10th Air Rescue Squadron. The 10th ARS used dog teams as part of search and rescue operations in Alaska and had jump-qualified dogs, which had to complete five jumps to wear jump wings. In the 1960s even though the helicopter increasingly replaced the sled dogs, the Army was wise enough to retain this historical skill. Soldiers and
Air men were enlisted by defence to participate in sled races such as the annual 10-mile Jeff Studdart Invitational Race. The U.S. Army Alaska Modern Winter Biathlon and the coveted Alaskan Fur Rondy trophy.
As the Vietnam war saw an increasing use for tracker and security dogs the US defence department shut down the sled
dog programme. Today the 10th Mountain Division still retain
Arctic warfare skills but there are
no formal sled dog teams. Today
the US Marine Corps 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment operate and train Mule teams in mountainous environments at Bridgeport, California. Marines from motor transportation trained in animal packing and small unit mobility geared toward mountaineering skills and high-altitude warfare. Marines learned to tie harnesses, rig saddles, load equipment and navigate with
their individual animals through mountainous terrain. The British Marine Commandos have conducted similar training, but it appears few if any defence forces have retained the skill set to operate sled dogs.
The one exception is Russia with its claims on Arctic’s untapped oil and gas reserves that are becoming more accessible due to climate change.
Russia has activated a new Arctic command, developed several armoured vehicles and other systems designed for cold weather fighting, but with all this and more, they still sometimes use antiquated technology that works in extreme cold. These include sled dog teams, individual dogs that tow several soldiers at once and even reindeer haulage sleds.
One of the major challenges for the military in WWII and indeed today is the knowledge of training
dogs and creating equipment
for varying terrain and weather conditions. Equipment and methods for use in light power snow would not necessarily work in frozen
wet terrain. Alaska for example is far different from Greenland and Labrador. And “experts” were used in training and advice in WWII from those locations, something already difficult to duplicate today.
Sled dog training like pack animal training should not be forgotten. The next war our soldiers could fight in might be to protect arctic
or Antarctic possessions. I would encourage the RAVC to ensure several members have sled dog skills – just in case. This could be achieved by sport (sled dog racing) or formal training from members of operation Sirius that enforces Danish sovereignty in Greenland, by conducting long range Arctic patrols.
Joe Redington Jr., seen here, was enlisted by the Army specifically to race dogs in Alaska. Redington Jr. won the coveted Fur Rondy trophy in 1966, bringing it back to Alaska after many years of being won by Dr. Roland Lombard of Wayland, Mass. (U.S. Army photo)
Women’s Army Corps members pose for a photo at the Ladd Field kennels circa 1945. (Photo courtesy of Fort Wainwright archives)
A new Division was formed in 2018 to patrol the coastal zones stretching from the Arctic in the north to the Primorye Territory in the south. Reconnaissance unit members of the Northern Fleet’s Arctic mechanised infantry brigade conduct military exercises to learn how to ride a dog sled
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