in 1949, the department of the army ordered the organization of the arctic test branch at big delta air force base, alaska (now known as fort greely). a cadre for the organization was activated at fort knox, kentucky, in march 1949, by the transfer of personnel from each of the "army field force boards." the organization moved to alaska in july 1949 and test operations were initiated. shortly thereafter, the organization name was changed to the arctic training center. in 1957, it was renamed the u.s. army arctic test board, with the mission of conducting arctic service tests of all army field equipment.