The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star set sail from Seattle on Thursday for its 29th trip to Antarctica. This mission will last several months and highlights both America's ongoing presence in the polar regions and the challenges faced by its aging icebreaker fleet.

This deployment kicks off Operation Deep Freeze, an annual military effort aimed at resupplying U.S. Antarctic stations. This mission supports the National Science Foundation, which leads the U.S. Antarctic Program. As the Coast Guard faces rising competition in polar areas, it's relying on icebreakers that are nearing 50 years of service.

“The crew of the Polar Star does an amazing job keeping this ship operational,” said Captain Jeff Rasnake, who leads the Polar Star. “Every year brings its own challenges, and I’m proud of how this crew tackles them. Our teamwork through maintenance and logistical preparations is exciting as we move into the operational phase of our annual mission.”

Launched in 1976, the 399-foot Polar Star is the only U.S. vessel that can clear a path through ice to reach McMurdo Station, the largest Antarctic station and a key logistics hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program. Despite being almost 50 years old, the Polar Star is still the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker, capable of generating up to 75,000 shaft horsepower.

This deployment comes after the ship returned to Seattle in September following 308 days at sea, which included completing the crucial final phase of a five-year Service Life Extension Program at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, California. The $12.7 million project focused on upgrading key systems including propulsion, communication, and machinery controls.

“This is a fantastic ship, and it's in better condition now than it was a decade ago,” Rasnake stated. “This truly reflects the hard work of the crew, the strong support from our mission partners, and renewed dedication to enhancing our nation’s icebreaking capabilities.”

The significance of this mission has grown as competition in the polar regions intensifies. The Coast Guard recently addressed the presence of Chinese research vessels off Alaska by sending the USCGC Healy to monitor the situation.

“The U.S. Coast Guard is actively managing, securing, and protecting the northern border and maritime areas of the Arctic to uphold U.S. sovereignty, and Healy’s operations show the critical need for more Coast Guard icebreakers,” said Rear Admiral Bob Little, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District.

The U.S. currently has three ocean-going icebreakers: the heavy icebreaker Polar Star, which is involved in Antarctic operations, along with two medium icebreakers, USCGC Healy and the newly commissioned USCGC Storis. The introduction of Storis has enabled multiple icebreakers to operate concurrently in Arctic waters for the first time in years.

Recent federal funding shows a renewed commitment to polar capabilities. The Big Beautiful Bill has allocated nearly $25 billion for polar operations, with $9 billion specifically set aside for icebreakers and infrastructure in high latitudes. The first Polar Security Cutter currently being constructed in Mississippi is expected to take at least five years to be ready for service, while a medium-sized Arctic Security Cutter could potentially be operational within three years with help from international shipyards.

The Polar Star will continue to support Operation Deep Freeze until new Polar and Arctic Security Cutters are commissioned over the next decade. Since 1955, active, reserve, and guard members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and Army have been assisting the U.S. Antarctic Program by transporting supplies to McMurdo Station.