Two More Icebreakers Coming to Alaska

Alaska's first icebreaker, the USCGC Storis, was commissioned in Juneau in 2025

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-Alaska), today welcomed an official announcement from the Coast Guard that two additional icebreakers will be homeported in Alaska. The announcement comes after Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, testified to Sen. Sullivan that the agency was considering homeporting in Alaska up to four of the eleven Arctic Security Cutters (icebreakers) announced as part of the U.S.-Finland Icebreaker Agreement and the ICE Pact. Funding to build up to three icebreakers was secured by the Alaska congressional delegation in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA), signed into law on July 4, 2025.

"Our leaders have talked for years about the national security imperative of closing America's icebreaking gap with our adversaries and homeporting icebreakers where the ice is-which is Alaska. But we're not just talking about these priorities anymore. We're getting them done," said Sen. Sullivan. "We now have at least three ice breakers being homeported in our state. I am honored to have led this effort which will bring enhanced national security and good paying jobs to our state. This announcement is the culmination of years of relentless advocacy I have put into homeporting icebreakers in Alaska. As chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee overseeing the Coast Guard, I have held hearings and countless meetings with every top federal official, from the President on down, on the necessity of rebuilding America's polar icebreaking capacity. The historic provisions we secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act make this a reality. The dictators in Russia and China certainly recognize the importance of the Arctic and North Pacific, which is why we're seeing escalating incursions near Alaska's airspace and waters, including unprecedented joint operations. We are finally making the serious investments and decisions needed to build up our forces in America's most strategic state to defend our interests in this vital region. These investments, including the announcement today, are not only good for our national security, they're also great news for Alaska's economy, hard-working families, and coastal communities. What an exciting day for Alaskans and for the whole country!"

"Since my first days in Washington, I have been sounding the alarm about the need to recapitalize and expand our fleet of icebreakers. It feels good to say that we are finally beginning to realize that goal," said Sen. Murkowski. "Today, with the announcement that the first two Arctic Security Cutters will be homeported in Alaska it is becoming real. This news marks a turning point in America's investment in the Arctic and will allow us to reassert our influence in the region-enhancing maritime commerce, strengthening cooperation with our allies, increasing deterrence against our adversaries, and ensuring our military can respond to emergencies in any environment. I want to commend President Donald Trump for his commitment to these critical assets. When he came into office in 2016, one of my first conversations with him focused on the importance of investing in our infrastructure so we could compete in the Arctic in the 21^st century. He listened and came through on his commitment to expanding our icebreaker capacity, and I appreciate his continued dedication to this issue. The work is just beginning. As we move to designate Alaska's new homeport locations, ensuring these ASCs are ready to serve will require significant shoreside infrastructure with new housing to support both the vessels and the influx of personnel. While there is a long road ahead, this announcement means new investment, new jobs, and new opportunities flowing into our communities. Today is a good day for America, a good day for the Arctic, and a good day for Alaska."

"Homeporting two new Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska will strengthen America's position in an increasingly strategic and contested Arctic," said Congressman Begich. "These new vessels will expand our operational reach and ensure the United States can respond quickly and effectively across the Arctic domain. Alaska is the nation's Arctic gateway, and our location makes us indispensable to national security. As global competition intensifies in the Arctic, we cannot afford to fall behind in a region that will shape the future of maritime access and defense. This is exactly why we fought for historic investments in the Coast Guard, because readiness in the Arctic requires modern assets and a sustained presence."

The first and only icebreaker ever homeported in Alaska, the Coast Guard Cutter Storis, was commissioned in Juneau on August 10, 2025, after years of work by the Alaska congressional delegation.

Below is an overview of the delegation's work to bring more Coast Guard assets, personnel, vessels, infrastructure and investments to Alaska.

Securing U.S. Coast Guard Construction and Infrastructure Funding for Alaska Installations: Since 2015, Congress has appropriated about $1.408 billion for infrastructure and construction-related projects in Alaska to support new and existing Coast Guard assets, giving many communities throughout Alaska significant investments in their infrastructure and local housing.

Securing Historic Investments in America's Icebreaker Fleet: Through the FY 2025 budget reconciliation bill, the Alaska congressional delegation secured $4.3 billion for the procurement of two new Polar Security Cutters, with substantial progress toward a third, marking the most significant expansion of heavy icebreaking capability in U.S. history. The delegation also worked to deliver $3.5 billion to procure three Arctic Security Cutters, the nation's next-generation medium polar icebreakers. Additionally, they championed $816 million for more than ten new light and medium domestic icebreaking cutters. Beyond icebreakers, the WFTCA included major investments across the Coast Guard's fleet: $1 billion for approximately 10 Fast Response Cutters (FRC), $4.3 billion for approximately 9 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC), $2.2 billion for approximately 40 MH-60 helicopters, and $1.1 billion for approximately 6 HC-130 aircraft. Critically, these efforts are backed by over $3 billion for shoreside infrastructure to support the homeporting of these assets, including the $300 million for the homeporting of the Storis in Juneau.

# # #