U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star arrived in Juneau Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, to resupply from extended operations in the Arctic over the winter. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Last of its kind: America’s sole heavy icebreaker arrives in Juneau

She doesn’t know any jokes but she’s still pretty good at breaking the ice.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star arrived in Juneau Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, to resupply from extended operations in the Arctic over the winter. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star steams under the aurora borealis during its current Arctic deployment patrolling the maritime boundary with Russia. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo / Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham)

Coast Guard icebreaker continues Arctic training, security operations

The crew is honing the trade of operating in the harshest waters on earth.

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star steams under the aurora borealis during its current Arctic deployment patrolling the maritime boundary with Russia. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo / Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham)
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. A response boat similar to the one in the photo was struck by a laser near Ketchikan on Saturday, Jan. 17, prompting an investigation into the crime. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard wants information after laser pointed at boat

“Laser strikes jeopardize the safety of our boat crews…”

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. A response boat similar to the one in the photo was struck by a laser near Ketchikan on Saturday, Jan. 17, prompting an investigation into the crime. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)
Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham / USCG 
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star navigates heavy seas in the Gulf of Alaska, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. The icebreaker is supporting an increasingly prioritized mission in the region, according the the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard icebreaker sets U.S. record for northernmost winter approach

The mission is as much to reaffirm presence as to train a new generation of coldwater sailors.

Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham / USCG 
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star navigates heavy seas in the Gulf of Alaska, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. The icebreaker is supporting an increasingly prioritized mission in the region, according the the Coast Guard.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka pose with the family they rescued about an hour earlier from Yamani Islets, Dec. 25, 2020. The aircrew hoisted all four family members to safety after their boat capsized. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard Air Station Sitka)

Coast Guard rescues 4 near Sitka on Christmas

“We want to stress the importance of letting people know where you are going on the water…”

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka pose with the family they rescued about an hour earlier from Yamani Islets, Dec. 25, 2020. The aircrew hoisted all four family members to safety after their boat capsized. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard Air Station Sitka)
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018.  A response boat similar to the one in the photo was used to rescue two hunters on Admiralty Island on Thursday. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues 2 near Juneau on Christmas Eve

“Fortunately the hunters were prepared for the weather and low visibility.”

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018.  A response boat similar to the one in the photo was used to rescue two hunters on Admiralty Island on Thursday. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)

Coast Guard needs more focus on Alaska bases and ships, Sullivan says

Recent Russian exercises and America’s sole functional icebreaker are all cause for concern, the senator opined.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
A beached vessel is anchored to the shoreline in Barlow Cove, about 15 miles northeast of Juneau, Alaska, Dec. 17, 2020. The crew of Coast Guard cutter Bailey Barco rescued three hunters who ended up stranded on shore after the vessel took on water. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco)
A beached vessel is anchored to the shoreline in Barlow Cove, about 15 miles northeast of Juneau, Alaska, Dec. 17, 2020. The crew of Coast Guard cutter Bailey Barco rescued three hunters who ended up stranded on shore after the vessel took on water. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco)
With Mt. Baker in the background, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits Puget Sound north of Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The Alaska Navy League is holding a drive for the servicemembers aboard as they’re deployed during the winter holidays. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier / U.S. Coast Guard)

Not home for the holidays: Navy League holds drive for deployed icebreaker

The icebreaker was retasked north to support the national security and science mission there.

With Mt. Baker in the background, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits Puget Sound north of Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The Alaska Navy League is holding a drive for the servicemembers aboard as they’re deployed during the winter holidays. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier / U.S. Coast Guard)
Coast Guard personnel from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a 70-year-old man from the water near Union Bay on Nov. 1, 2020. (Screenshot / U.S. Coast Guard)
Coast Guard personnel from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a 70-year-old man from the water near Union Bay on Nov. 1, 2020. (Screenshot / U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) is in the fast Ice Jan. 2, 2020, approximately 20 miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi / USCG)

Coast Guard heavy icebreaker retasked for Arctic deployment

The ship typically spends these months breaking trail to McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) is in the fast Ice Jan. 2, 2020, approximately 20 miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi / USCG)
Coast Guardsmen aboard the cutter USCGC John McCormick rescued two people off the fishing vessel Reluctant near Hoonah after it grounded Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
Coast Guardsmen aboard the cutter USCGC John McCormick rescued two people off the fishing vessel Reluctant near Hoonah after it grounded Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau for rest and replenishment of stores.

NOAA survey vessel takes break from updating charts in Juneau

It will not be open to public tours due to pandemic concerns, unfortunately.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau for rest and replenishment of stores.
Several Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew members speak with the owner of a disabled 22-foot sailing vessel after towing it from Marmion Island to Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor in Juneau, Sept. 13, 2020. (Courtesy Photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony DeLorenzo)
Several Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew members speak with the owner of a disabled 22-foot sailing vessel after towing it from Marmion Island to Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor in Juneau, Sept. 13, 2020. (Courtesy Photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony DeLorenzo)
Coast Guard rescues man who ran aground near Sitka
Coast Guard rescues man who ran aground near Sitka
Capt. Steve White, from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau, gives a presentation to the Visitor Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Capt. Steve White, from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau, gives a presentation to the Visitor Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Coast Guardsmen aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk rescued a boy injured hiking near Haines on Wednesday evening. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard
Coast Guardsmen aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk rescued a boy injured hiking near Haines on Wednesday evening. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard
An MH-60 Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka conducts a training flight on Dec. 11, 2006. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Petty Officer 1st Class William Greer)
An MH-60 Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka conducts a training flight on Dec. 11, 2006. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Petty Officer 1st Class William Greer)
The United States Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, rear, prepares to take over towing a stranded vessel after assistance from the Canadian Coast Guard on Aug. 1, 2020. (USCG photo / PA2 Alexandria Preston)
The United States Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, rear, prepares to take over towing a stranded vessel after assistance from the Canadian Coast Guard on Aug. 1, 2020. (USCG photo / PA2 Alexandria Preston)
Members from Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro stand in formation on the back of the cutter, July 24, 2020. The cutter’s hull day, July 24, correlates with its hull number, 724. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Cutter Douglas Munro celebrates Hull Day at sea

USCG WHEC-724 represented on their day — July 24.

Members from Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro stand in formation on the back of the cutter, July 24, 2020. The cutter’s hull day, July 24, correlates with its hull number, 724. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)