By Maggie Johnson
January 6, 2025
The USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), the U.S. Coast Guard’s sole heavy icebreaker, departed Sydney to embark on its Antarctic resupply mission supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2025. This marks the Polar Star’s 28th voyage to Antarctica, underscoring its vital role in sustaining U.S. research efforts on the continent.
Before setting out, the Polar Star completed a logistics stop at HMAS Kuttabul on December 21, refueling and restocking supplies while hosting tours for U.S. diplomatic personnel. Reflecting on the importance of the mission, Capt. Jeff Rasnake, the commanding officer, highlighted the value of international partnerships:
“The success of Operation Deep Freeze relies on strong collaboration with our international partners. The future of scientific excellence in Antarctica is safeguarded by our joint commitment to cooperative research and protecting the Antarctic environment.”
Operation Deep Freeze, one of the U.S. military’s most demanding peacetime missions, involves breaking through Antarctic ice to enable the resupply of McMurdo Station and other U.S. research facilities. The operation is a collaborative effort, with personnel from the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Army working under Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica to ensure mission success.
Commissioned in 1976, the Polar Star remains the cornerstone of the U.S. polar fleet, boasting 75,000 horsepower and advanced icebreaking capabilities. However, its age highlights the urgency for fleet modernization. The Coast Guard has determined that eight to nine polar icebreakers are necessary to meet operational demands, yet relief remains years away. The first Polar Security Cutter, originally slated for delivery in 2024, has been postponed until at least 2030, a concerning delay in the modernization of the fleet.
In the meantime, the Coast Guard recently acquired the commercial icebreaker Aiviq for $125 million to address immediate needs. The vessel will be commissioned as the Coast Guard Cutter Storis (WAGB 21) and based in Juneau, Alaska, to bolster polar capabilities.
The Polar Star began its current deployment from Seattle on November 22, traveling approximately 7,000 miles with stops in Honolulu and Sydney. During its Pacific journey, the crew achieved the rare maritime milestone of crossing “The X,” where the equator intersects the International Date Line, adding a moment of distinction to their ongoing mission.
As the Polar Star advances southward, it continues to exemplify the resilience and dedication of the U.S. Coast Guard, which is critical in enabling Antarctic research and sustaining global scientific collaboration.
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