Latest news with #Storis
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
US Coast Guard unveils first polar icebreaker in more than 25 years
PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The U.S. Coast Guard's newest polar icebreaker is officially operational, which the agency says will bolster its Arctic operations. The 360-foot-long icebreaker departed from its assembly port in Pascagoula, Mississippi and was headed to Seattle, where it will be based until renovations are completed at its homeport in Juneau, Alaska. Icebreakers clear passages through icy waterways in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and are known to aid in search and rescue missions as well as support scientific research operations. Similar-sized ships are known to break up ice that is upwards of 21 feet thick, due to their reinforced hulls and bows, with engines capable of producing a significant amount of horsepower. "The vessel is manned with a hybrid crew consisting of military cuttermen and civilian mariners. This is the second vessel in Coast Guard history to bear the name Storis. The original Storis, known as the 'Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast,' had a storied history conducting 64 years of icebreaking operations in Alaska and the Arctic before being decommissioned in 2007," the agency said in a statement. Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier' Is Melting Away Differently Than Scientists First Thought The USCGC Storis will join the USCGC Polar Star and the USCGC Healy as part of the Polar Security Cutter Program. Both of the other icebreakers have faced challenges due to their age, with the Healy recently experiencing a significant fire, while the 50-year-old Polar Star was taken out of service for necessary repairs. "Our national security interests in the Arctic have also never been more critical, demonstrated by the joint Russian and Chinese naval and air task forces that have operated off Alaska's coastline these past two years. Since coming to the Senate, I've been working relentlessly to wake up our federal government to the strategic importance of this region," Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan previously said in a statement. World's Largest Iceberg On Possible Collision Course With Island In South Atlantic Ocean The Coast Guard says its fleet of large icebreakers must double or even triple in size to meet growing operational demands. "Russia has 55 icebreakers and is in the process of building more. By 2025, China, which has no sovereignty over any Arctic waters, is set to surpass the United States' icebreaker fleet. The Alaska congressional delegation has long since recognized this as a competitive disadvantage in the Arctic and advocated for additional resources to bolster the USCG icebreaker fleet," Alaskan legislators previously stated. The newly acquired vessel is expected to support missions later in the year, although a specific deployment schedule was not article source: US Coast Guard unveils first polar icebreaker in more than 25 years
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Reveals New Polar Icebreaker Amid Arctic Rivalry With Russia and China
The United States' first polar icebreaker acquired for the Coast Guard in more than 25 years has begun its maiden voyage, as it prepares to safeguard America's interests in the Arctic. The vessel, USCGC Storis, will expand U.S. presence in the Arctic, the Coast Guardsaid on Wednesday, adding that the nation's third polar icebreaker will support national security. Last summer, the Pentagon released its updated Arctic strategy amid growing cooperation between Russia and its quasi-ally China-both engaged in great power competition with the U. S.-calling for an increased U.S. military presence in the region as a countermeasure. Russia has been building its military power in the Arctic by establishing nearly three-dozen bases. China-which has declared itself an "important stakeholder" in Arctic affairs-has also expanded its presence there, including Coast Guard patrols and icebreaker deployments. Meanwhile, melting ice-caused by climate change-has exposed previously inaccessible natural resources and opened new shipping routes in the Arctic, intensifying competition among Washington, Moscow, Beijing, and other powers for control of the strategic region. The Storis, which was acquired last December and previously named Aiviq, departed from Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Tuesday. The ship-manned by both military and civilian personnel-has been modified to enhance its communications and self-defense capabilities. The U.S. Coast Guard said the Storis is scheduled to be commissioned in August at its permanent home port in Juneau, Alaska. However, the ship will be temporarily stationed in Seattle, Washington, until shore infrastructure improvements in Juneau are completed. Open-source ship tracking data from the online service MarineTraffic shows that the Storis was underway in the Caribbean Sea as of Friday and is expected to arrive in San Diego, California, in July. The acquisition of the Storis serves as a bridge to the delivery of the Polar Security Cutter-class icebreakers. The first ship in the class is expected to commence its construction this year and could be delivered as early as 2028-three years later than originally scheduled. Icebreakers provide assured U.S. access and presence to the polar regions, the U.S. Coast Guard said in Force Design 2028-a blueprint to transform it into a "stronger, more ready, and capable" fighting force, announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The U.S. Coast Guard operates two-dozen icebreakers, of which only three are designed for polar operations. Russia-which controls 53 percent of the Arctic coastline-possesses more than 40 icebreakers, according to the specialist outlet Breaking Defense. The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday: "The Coast Guard operates the United States' fleet of icebreakers to assure access to the polar regions to protect U.S. sovereignty. To fulfill this mission and meet operational needs in the polar regions, the Coast Guard requires a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers." The Pentagon's 2024 Arctic Strategy read: "The Arctic includes multiple strategically significant maritime chokepoints. Reduction in sea ice due to climate change means chokepoints such as the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia and the Barents Sea north of Norway, are becoming more navigable and more economically and militarily significant." It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Coast Guard will expedite the delivery of new polar icebreakers to maintain its presence in the Arctic amid growing challenges from Russia and China. Related Articles Iran Importing Missile Fuel From China as US Tensions Rise: Report'Told You So': Liberals React as Trump-Musk Alliance Implodes in Real TimeParents Can Choose Genetic Makeup of Their Children With New IVF OptionUS Sharpens Spy Plane Tactics With Pacific Ally 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
US Reveals New Polar Icebreaker Amid Arctic Rivalry With Russia and China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States' first polar icebreaker acquired for the Coast Guard in more than 25 years has begun its maiden voyage, as it prepares to safeguard America's interests in the Arctic. The vessel, USCGC Storis, will expand U.S. presence in the Arctic, the Coast Guard said on Wednesday, adding that the nation's third polar icebreaker will support national security. Why It Matters Last summer, the Pentagon released its updated Arctic strategy amid growing cooperation between Russia and its quasi-ally China—both engaged in great power competition with the U. S.—calling for an increased U.S. military presence in the region as a countermeasure. Russia has been building its military power in the Arctic by establishing nearly three-dozen bases. China—which has declared itself an "important stakeholder" in Arctic affairs—has also expanded its presence there, including Coast Guard patrols and icebreaker deployments. Meanwhile, melting ice—caused by climate change—has exposed previously inaccessible natural resources and opened new shipping routes in the Arctic, intensifying competition among Washington, Moscow, Beijing, and other powers for control of the strategic region. What To Know The Storis, which was acquired last December and previously named Aiviq, departed from Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Tuesday. The ship—manned by both military and civilian personnel—has been modified to enhance its communications and self-defense capabilities. The U.S. Coast Guard said the Storis is scheduled to be commissioned in August at its permanent home port in Juneau, Alaska. However, the ship will be temporarily stationed in Seattle, Washington, until shore infrastructure improvements in Juneau are completed. Open-source ship tracking data from the online service MarineTraffic shows that the Storis was underway in the Caribbean Sea as of Friday and is expected to arrive in San Diego, California, in July. The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" sails in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" sails in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. Photos courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore The acquisition of the Storis serves as a bridge to the delivery of the Polar Security Cutter-class icebreakers. The first ship in the class is expected to commence its construction this year and could be delivered as early as 2028—three years later than originally scheduled. Icebreakers provide assured U.S. access and presence to the polar regions, the U.S. Coast Guard said in Force Design 2028—a blueprint to transform it into a "stronger, more ready, and capable" fighting force, announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The U.S. Coast Guard operates two-dozen icebreakers, of which only three are designed for polar operations. Russia—which controls 53 percent of the Arctic coastline—possesses more than 40 icebreakers, according to the specialist outlet Breaking Defense. What People Are Saying The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday: "The Coast Guard operates the United States' fleet of icebreakers to assure access to the polar regions to protect U.S. sovereignty. To fulfill this mission and meet operational needs in the polar regions, the Coast Guard requires a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers." The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" is shown here from a top view while underway in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" is shown here from a top view while underway in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. Photos courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore The Pentagon's 2024 Arctic Strategy read: "The Arctic includes multiple strategically significant maritime chokepoints. Reduction in sea ice due to climate change means chokepoints such as the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia and the Barents Sea north of Norway, are becoming more navigable and more economically and militarily significant." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Coast Guard will expedite the delivery of new polar icebreakers to maintain its presence in the Arctic amid growing challenges from Russia and China.
