US naval forces conduct Arctic operations

Cutter Healy left for its Arctic deployment in early October. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

The US Navy (USN) and US Coast Guard (USCG) have both deployed ships to the Arctic in October.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS Stout (DDG 55), assigned to the Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), conducted routine maritime operations on 21 October in the Barents Sea in international waters, the USN confirmed on 23 October.

On 1 October icebreaker USCG Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) departed Seattle, Washington, to start its months-long Arctic deployment, the USCG confirmed on 2 October.

“Stout and Jason Dunham entered the Barents Sea to build the US Navy's situational awareness in the austere Arctic environment and underscore our commitment to preserving a free and open Arctic.” Rear Admiral Sean Bailey, commander of the HSTCSG, said in a statement.

A surface action group comprising three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and the Royal Navy ship HMS Kent conducted operations in the Barents Sea in 2020, USN officials said.

Healy's earlier Arctic deployment in 2024 was cut short due to an onboard electrical fire, USCG officials noted. The cutter returned to Seattle for a thorough inspection and repairs, before leaving for its deployment in early October.

Healy is the United States' largest polar icebreaker and the USCG's only icebreaker explicitly designed to support Arctic research. The ship is designed to break 4.5 ft (1.4 m) of ice continuously at 3 kt and can operate in temperatures as low as -45ºC.

For more information on the Healy fire impact, please seeIcebreaker fire reduces US presence in Arctic .