Physiological effects of hypoxia on Warfighters conducting high-altitude operations

Abstract

Purpose: Throughout history, national military forces have deployed in high mountain regions to conduct campaigns to achieve national strategic interests, enforce territorial borders, and pursue insurgents and criminals. The US Marine Corps has identified 20 “states of interest” posing potential security challenges for US forces, at least 16 of which are at altitudes of 2500 m or higher. One of those states is Afghanistan where, for over 15 years, the US and its allies have been deployed and conducting extensive operations at high altitudes. Warfighters operating in high-altitude, mountainous regions are exposed to environmental extremes that create physiological strain, including steep terrain, cold and wind exposure. However, the unique environmental feature affecting Warfighters during high-altitude operations is hypobaric hypoxia.