Getting Ready for Arctic Operations

• Main Authors: Hansen, Kurt A., Inman, Michael, Cerne, Michael
• Other Authors: COAST GUARD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER GROTON CT
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: Geography; Military Forces and Organizations; *RISK ANALYSIS; *COAST GUARD; *ARCTIC OCEAN; *COAST GUARD OPERATIONS; *ARCTIC REGIONS; *FORECASTING; *MISSIONS; ZINC; TREATIES; COMMERCIAL FISHING; SOIL EROSION; WILDLIFE; SEARCH AND RESCUE; SHIPPING; COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT; OIL SPILLS; NAVIGATIONAL AIDS; NATURAL GAS; CRUDE OIL; INDIGENOUS POPULATION; COAST GUARD SHIPS; MINES(EXCAVATIONS); SAFETY; MELTING; ICE; ALASKA; MONITORING; ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT; SYMPOSIA; COASTAL REGIONS; *ARCTIC OPERATIONS; UNCLOS(UNITED NATIONS LAW OF THE SEA); EEZ(EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONES); BOUNDARY DISPUTES; OIL EXPLORATION; GAS EXPLORATION; COASTAL EROSION; OIL SPILL RESPONSE; SHIP TRACKING; TOURISM; FORWARD OPERATING BASES; POINT BARROW(ALASKA); ICE MELTING; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Canada; Barrow; Law of the Sea; Point Barrow; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA503251; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA503251

Currently the U.S. Coast Guard has no personnel or facilities permanently assigned north of the Arctic Circle. As the ice cover is reduced, the resulting additional shipping will require the performance of missions in areas never seen before. Before this happens, analysis needs to be done to determine how the service can best organize and execute its missions. The first major steps are being taken this year to determine what it takes to perform the necessary tasks. Our approach will be to deploy several helicopters and boats to Point Barrow for two weeks this summer, review how other organizations and countries are performing related tasks, and identify additional gaps that need to be researched. Finally, monitoring of environmental conditions will be needed to ensure safe operations. The U.S. Coast Guard is moving into a large, harsh environment. Even though the Coast Guard has a history of operating in the Arctic, there are new challenges. Many of the Coast Guard's assets are already stretched to the limit, especially after the events of September 11, 2001. In addition, due to problems encountered by DEEPWATER acquisition and the current economy, any new requests for equipment and personnel must be strictly justified. The Coast Guard must be honest in assessing any risks and the impact any deployments to the Arctic may have on the budget or other areas. The Coast Guard must engage other federal, state, local, and International partners to ensure the safety and security of all who will live and work in the Arctic. See also ADM002176. Presented at the MTS/IEEE Oceans 2008 Conference and Exhibition held in Quebec City, Canada, on 15-18 Sep 2008. The original document contains color images.