Milestones
Section 1089 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021 provides that the Secretary of Defense shall submit a plan to establish a DoD Regional Center for Security Studies for the Arctic, which may be called the “Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies.” Congress appropriated $10M to establish the center.
Section 1089 also provides that the Secretary of Defense may, not earlier than 30 days following the submittal of the attached plan, establish such a Center.
10 May 2021
The Undersecretary of Defense for Policy approved the required report to Congress.
9 June 2021
In accordance with the provisions of NDAA 2022, the Secretary of Defense announced the establishment of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies.
23 August 2021
The first member appointed to the TSC was sworn in as the Senior Advisor for Arctic Security Affairs. That same person was publicly announced on Sept. 22, 2021.
17 November 2021
Anchorage, Alaska was announced by the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the sole candidate city to host the TSC.
28 December 2021
In accordance with the signing of National Defense Authorization Act 2022, the TSC was formally established as DoD’s 6th Regional Center in Sections 342 and 2611 of Chapter 16 (Security Cooperation), of Title 10, U.S. Code.
9 February 2022
TSC’s Plans, Objectives and Milestones was approved by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs that includes reaching initial operating capacity by July 1, 2022, and full operating capacity by July 1, 2023.
17 March 2022
TSC’s first official hosted forum was the inaugural hosting of the Executive Seminar of the Arctic Region Security Orientation Course (ARSOC-ES) at Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Command.
21-25 March 2022
TSC’s first full course was ARSOC instructed via a virtual presentation. Through three full course offerings, by July 1, 2022, TSC had graduated approximately 225 course participants.
2-6 May 2022
TSC’s first hosted conference was in partnership with Alaskan Command which was Arctic Symposium 2022.
1 July 2022
TSC achieved initial operating capacity.
11 August 2022
The TSC held its grand opening ceremony on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
2 October 2023
TSC published the inaugural volume of the Journal of Arctic and Climate Security Studies.
18 January 2024
TSC was added to the federal register and the first director was appointed to the center.
