USCG Cutter Healy (pictured) is one of only two operational icebreakers the US can use in the Arctic now. (Janes/Michael Fabey)
US officials should consider incorporating US Coast Guard (USCG) icebreakers into US Navy (USN) Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs), according to a key USCG Arctic official.
“Integrating US Navy FON transits with coastguard icebreakers would reaffirm the United States' firm stance on FON operations above the Arctic Circle and signal America's stance in the region to other great powers,” USCG Commander JoEllen Arons, chief of Emergency Management for USCG Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic, said in a Journal of Arctic Studies (JAS) Winter 2025 essay.
“Using icebreakers would allow the FON patrols to proceed deeper into the harsh, polar environmental conditions, further enforcing United States' power and ability to sustain operations in the region,” Cdr Arons said in the essay, published in mid-February by the Pentagon's Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies.
“As the great powers continue to gravitate towards the Arctic region, increasing the American military presence through maritime military assets, commercial icebreakers, and critical shoreside infrastructure is essential to enforce IUU [illegal, unreported, and unregulated] fishing and reaffirm America's firm stance on the right to freedom of navigation under the Law of the Sea convention,” said Cdr Arons, who is the lead operational planner. Cdr Arons develops and exercises all hazard contingency plans; leads the oil spill, maritime, and military outload committees; and manages coastguard Arctic operations.
The US only has two operational polar icebreakers to protect the entire region – USCG Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) and USCG Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10), Cdr Arons added.
“Both of these assets have exceeded their service life and need frequent maintenance,” Cdr Arons said.
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