With the “Storis”, the U.S. Coast Guard has received its first new icebreaker in 25 years. The vessel is intended to strengthen the nation’s presence in Arctic waters.
The USCGC “Storis” was officially commissioned in Juneau, Alaska. The medium icebreaker will support Coast Guard missions in the Arctic, with additional vessels planned for the future.
According to a press release, the commissioning marks a “decisive step in the realignment of the Coast Guard decided by President Trump.” Significant investments are planned as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“The commissioning of the ‘Storis’ marks a new beginning for the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Troy Edgar, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill recapitalized the Coast Guard with $25 billion — the largest single investment in its history. This funding will ensure a Coast Guard better equipped to protect national interests, support maritime communities, and stand alongside our allies.”
The ‘Storis’ will enhance U.S. maritime capabilities in the Arctic and advance modernization through Force Design 2028, an initiative by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to make the Coast Guard more agile, capable, and responsive.
“Great asset for the American people”
“USCGC Storis’ is a great asset to the American people,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard. He emphasized that the ship directly strengthens the ability to control, secure, and defend U.S. borders around Alaska and safeguard Arctic maritime access routes. “The ‘Storis’ is the first step in a historic investment to expand our polar icebreaker fleet, protect U.S. sovereignty, and counter malign influence throughout the Arctic.”
Formerly known as ‘Aiviq’, the vessel was acquired on December 20, 2024, and renamed after upgrades to its communications and defense systems. Its crew includes both military and civilian personnel. The icebreaker will be temporarily stationed in Seattle, Washington, alongside the Coast Guard’s two other polar icebreakers, until infrastructure upgrades in Juneau are completed.
This is the second ship in Coast Guard history to bear the name Storis. The original — nicknamed the “Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast” — served as an Arctic icebreaker for 64 years.
The Coast Guard operates the nation’s icebreaker fleet to maintain access to the polar regions and safeguard U.S. sovereign interests there. As the country’s third polar icebreaker, the Storis will provide short-term operational presence and strengthen Arctic security as part of a bridge strategy for surface operations in the region.
Additional icebreakers will be acquired through investments under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, the largest single funding commitment in Coast Guard history. The act provides $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters to extend U.S. reach in the Arctic, $3.5 billion for three more icebreakers, and $816 million for light and medium domestic icebreakers.
