Perspectives on Logistics Support in the Arctic

Polar research in the last century was seen mostly as an adventure. Science, of course, was vigorously pursued, but a major objective was discovery of new lands. Logistics support depended on the best information and experience of the day. Poor information could very well lead to tragedy.

Polar exploration increasingly utilized modern technologies which eventually made it possible to conduct research in just about any geographic area. Polar research flourished steadily to the present time. Over the past half century we have gained a great amount of knowledge about the polar regions. Rather than give cause for a decrease in research activities, it became apparent that we were just beginning to understand the role of the polar regions in the global system.