Coast Guard cutter Polar Star deploys to Arctic region

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will head to the Arctic region this winter to help protect the nation’s maritime sovereignty and security in the region.

The Coast Guard has served as the lead federal agency for homeland security, safety, and environmental stewardship in the Arctic region for more than 150 years. As the nation’s main maritime presence in the polar regions, the Coast Guard is charged with advancing U.S. national interests there through polar operational capability, regulatory authority, and international leadership.

The Coast Guard released the Arctic Strategic Outlook in April 2019, which reaffirms its commitment to American leadership in the region through partnership, unity of effort, and continuous innovation.

“The Arctic is no longer an emerging frontier, but is instead a region of growing national importance,” Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, said. “The Coast Guard is committed to protecting U.S. sovereignty and working with our partners to uphold a safe, secure, and rules-based Arctic.”

The Polar Star typically travels to Antarctica each year to support Operation Deep Freeze, an annual mission to resupply the United States’ Antarctic stations. However, this year’s maritime resupply at McMurdo Station was cancelled due to COVID safety precautions. Instead, a limited resupply will be conducted via aircraft. The Coast Guard anticipates resuming Operation Deep Freeze next year.