Joint and combined operations of specialized character will be 

 certain. For national security certain of these far northern 

 strategic areas must, if necessary, be defended. As peacetime 

 missions, the armed services must be capable of supporting 

 weather and other arctic stations and of assisting with the devel- 

 opment and securing of potential economic resources of our 

 northern territories. 



Across the Arctic Sea are the shortest air routes between the 

 United States, Europe, and Asia. Earlier "over the top" opera- 

 tions were very difficult in the past because of the vast expanses 

 of relatively unexplored territory, the absence of satisfactory 

 landing places, and the lack of weather information. Now, with 

 the availability of powerful, long range airplanes and suitable 

 electronic equipment and more knowledge and experience in the 

 Arctic, the big push of polar development is emerging. 



The pitchblende of arctic and subarctic Canada, the oil of arctic 

 Alaska and Canada, the iron of Labrador, the fisheries of southern 

 Alaska and the Grand Banks, the furs of Canada, the timber of 

 Alaska and Canada, the cryolite and lead of Greenland, the coals 

 of Spitsbergen, and the rich vegetation capable of supporting 

 hordes of arctic animals are among the treasures which will 

 serve our continent in years to come and be vital to it in any 

 future war. 



Lastly, the arctic regions are important as a source of weather 

 and scientific data essential to the welfare of a peaceful and 

 thrifty world. 



SUMMARY 



Weather is not a barrier to limited scale operations on ground 

 and sea, or in the air, in the Arctic. Success in living and working 

 there is predicated on knowledge and use of area conditions, plus 

 forethought, skill, courage, and endurance. This is no different 

 than the requirements for successful living anywhere. Fuel and 

 shelter are prime considerations in all operations on land. 



Aviation in the Arctic can now perform its functions routinely 

 the year round if provided with the same adequate bases, installa- 

 tions, facilities, and logistic support essential to any type of con- 

 tinuing operation, large or small, anywhere. Valuable resources 

 await further exploration and development. The arctic regions 

 are slowly evolving as a new crossroads of the world — possibly 

 in time to be compared in importance with the Mediterranean Sea 

 and the Panama Canal. 



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