The US Coast Guard's newest icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), has returned to Seattle after a 36-day deployment to the Bering Sea. The cutter marked an early operational test for a vessel expected to play a growing role in US Arctic operations. Commissioned in 2025, Storis is the Coast Guard's first newly commissioned polar icebreaker in over two decades.
The 360-foot medium icebreaker was deployed to assess its performance in Arctic conditions and establish baseline data for future Coast Guard and allied operations in ice-covered waters. The mission aimed to evaluate the cutter's capabilities in extreme weather conditions, including heavy ice and limited visibility.
Operating the Storis in the Arctic winter is a clear statement of the nation's resolve,
The return of the USCGC Storis marks a significant milestone for the US Coast Guard's expanding polar operations.
