The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the commissioning of the polar icebreaker USCGC Storis in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday.
The announcement marks the first time the United States has commissioned an icebreaker in more than a quarter of a century, officials said. Additionally, the move marks a crucial step in transforming the U.S. Coast Guard into a more agile fighting force for the 21st century, DHS Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar said.
“The commissioning of Storis marks a new beginning for the U.S. Coast Guard,” Edgar said. “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill has recapitalized USCG with $25 billion — the largest single investment in USCG. The new investment will lead to a USCG that is better equipped to protect our national interests, support our maritime communities and stand alongside our allies.”
As a medium polar icebreaker, the Storis will expand the U.S. operational presence in the Arctic and support Coast Guard missions while awaiting the delivery of the new Polar Security Cutter class.
“USCGC Storis is a major win for the American people,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard. “The commissioning of USCGC Storis immediately strengthens our ability to control, secure, and defend the U.S. border around Alaska and maritime approaches in the Arctic. Storis is the first step of a historic investment in the Coast Guard to add critical capacity to our polar icebreaker fleet to protect U.S. sovereignty and counter malign influence throughout the Arctic.”
The USCGC said icebreakers are important for America’s presence in the Arctic which has a growing potential for oil and gas exploration, as well as critical minerals and trade route traffic.
The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill invests $25 billion into the Coast Guard, including $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters, $3.5 billion for three Arctic Security Cutters, and $816 million for light and medium domestic icebreaking cutters.