USCGC Storis sets sail on maiden voyage. Bolstering U.S. Arctic capability
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis (WAGB 21), the Coast Guard’s first newly acquired polar icebreaker in over a quarter century, has departed on its maiden voyage. The vessel will play a critical role in asserting U.S. sovereign interests in the Arctic while supporting national security and maritime operations in polar regions.
In brief
The polar icebreaker USCGC Storis (WAGB 21) set out on its maiden voyage as the first such vessel acquired by the US Coast Guard in more than 25 years. USCGC Storis was created by converting the vessel Aiviq, purchased on 20 December 2024 from a subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore, and Captain Keith M. Ropella took command. The official commissioning is planned for August in Juneau, Alaska, and until infrastructure is built the vessel is based in Seattle. The US fleet numbers 3 polar icebreakers, 21 domestic icebreakers and 16 ice-capable cutters.
The deployment of Storis marks a significant milestone under Force Design 2028 (FD2028) — the Coast Guard’s transformational initiative aimed at modernizing its force structure, accelerating acquisitions, and enhancing mission readiness.
Formerly the commercial icebreaking anchor handling tug supply vessel Aiviq, Storis was purchased on December 20, 2024, from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary. Since then, the vessel has undergone modifications to improve communications, survivability, and defensive capabilities. As a bridging asset ahead of the long-anticipated Polar Security Cutters (PSC), Storis significantly enhances the Coast Guard’s Arctic presence.
Commanded by Captain Keith M. Ropella, who currently serves as Chief of Cutter Forces at USCG Headquarters and previously led the heavy icebreaker Polar Star (WAGB 10), Storis operates with a hybrid crew of uniformed cuttermen and civilian mariners — reflecting a flexible approach to near-term polar missions.
This is the second vessel in U.S. Coast Guard history to carry the name Storis. The original, often referred to as the “Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast,” served with distinction in Arctic operations for 64 years before decommissioning in 2007.
Storis is scheduled to be commissioned in August 2025 in Juneau, Alaska, which will become the cutter’s permanent homeport once necessary shore infrastructure upgrades are completed. In the interim, it will be berthed in Seattle, Washington, alongside the service’s other two polar icebreakers.
The acquisition of Storis was enabled by the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 and FY2024 federal appropriations. It is not part of the PSC program of record and does not affect ongoing PSC procurement efforts.
The Coast Guard currently operates three polar icebreakers, 21 domestic icebreakers, and 16 ice-capable buoy tenders. To meet evolving national security demands in the Arctic and Antarctic, the service aims to build and sustain a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers. This aligns with the U.S. administration’s broader intent to develop a fleet of at least 40 modern ice-capable vessels to ensure persistent presence in high-latitude regions.
Announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on May 21, Force Design 2028 outlines a multi-domain transformation effort focused on people, structure, contracting, and technological modernization — reinforcing the Coast Guard’s posture in an era of increasing strategic competition in the polar domains.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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