SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, attended the commissioning ceremony for the United States Coast Guard Cutter Storis in Juneau. The event marked the introduction of America’s first new icebreaker in a generation.

Senator Sullivan has supported efforts to build and procure American icebreakers and base them in Alaska to address what officials describe as an "icebreaker gap" in the Arctic. This move comes amid increasing activity by Russia and China in the region.

As chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee overseeing the Coast Guard, Sullivan was instrumental in securing nearly $25 billion for the service through legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, which became law on July 4. Of this amount, $300 million is allocated to support shoreside infrastructure needed for homeporting the Storis.

“With the arrival of the Storis to its new homeport in Juneau, we mark not just the commissioning of a vessel, but a strategic milestone in America’s Arctic future,” Senator Sullivan said. “This ship is an investment in real capability, real people, and a real presence in the region that defines the next chapter of global security, commerce, and energy. The homeporting of the Storis right here in Juneau sends a clear and deliberate message: The United States is an Arctic nation, Alaska is an Arctic state, and the United States Coast Guard is a capable and growing Arctic force.”

At the ceremony, Sullivan also welcomed officers, crew members, and families associated with USCGC Storis to Juneau. He recognized their contributions toward strengthening America's presence in Alaska's Arctic waters.

Currently, America operates only one heavy icebreaker—the Polar Star—which is undergoing repairs after its second life extension at a facility in California. The country’s single medium icebreaker—the Healy—recently experienced an engine fire and is returning to port for repairs. In contrast, Russia maintains 55 icebreakers with more under construction; China will soon have more operational icebreakers than America despite having no territorial claim over any part of the Arctic.

Alaska's congressional delegation has highlighted these comparisons as evidence that additional resources are necessary for strengthening U.S. capabilities.

“So let’s be clear: Arctic security is American security,” Senator Sullivan said. “This region is undergoing monumental change. Sea ice is receding. New trade routes are opening. Vast reserves of natural resources are becoming accessible. And our adversaries are moving fast to assert control. The Russians and Chinese are increasingly in our air and in our waters, including unprecedented joint operations. We had a joint Russian-Chinese strategic bomber task force in our Air Defense Identification Zone last summer, and we’ve had joint Chinese-Russian Navy task forces in our waters last summer and the summer before. These are not one-offs. These are warning signs. If we’re not ready to lead in the Arctic, others will—and they’ll be happy to do it for us. That’s why the Storis is so important.”

The event underscores concerns about national security interests as other countries expand their presence near U.S.-controlled regions.