In a move aimed at incentivizing airmen and Guardians stationed in the remotest and coldest parts of the country, the Department of the Air Force has finally approved cold weather pay for troops at seven bases.
As of April 1, airmen and Guardians stationed at U.S. bases where temperatures sometimes drop 20 degrees below zero will earn the new lump-sum payment if they agree to serve at least a yearlong tour.
Locations that qualify for the incentive include South Dakota's Cavalier Space Force Station and Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases; Alaska's Clear Space Force Station, Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.
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The announcement comes more than a year after passage of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision for the services to provide an Arctic incentive pay.
A defense official told Military.com in January that the military's existing programs already compensate service members serving in those areas well enough, but the Department of the Air Force went ahead with its own program.
“Airmen and Guardians living in extremely cold conditions faced unique out-of-pocket costs,” Alex Wagner, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, said in a statement to Military.com. “In addition to the assignment and retention benefits of the pay, it also…
