(SEATTLE) — The crew aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) returned home to Seattle on April 13 following a 146-day Antarctic deployment in support of Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) 2026.
Polar Star departed Seattle on Nov. 20, traveling more than 20,000 nautical miles through ocean and ice to complete ODF 2026. ODF is the federal logistical support provided to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)-managed U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP).
While spending 62 days in Antarctic waters, Polar Star conducted multiple mission sets before departing the Antarctic region on March 8. The cutter established a seven-mile-long channel through fast ice up to 8 feet thick and escorted a fuel tanker and container vessel through the ice in McMurdo Sound in order to resupply McMurdo Station. Polar Star also escorted a tugboat with the 330-foot-long NSF Discovery Pier for installation at McMurdo Station to provide a semi-permanent means to moor ships for the USAP.
Polar Star supported the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) by completing sighting reports of fishing vessels in the Ross Sea. Through monitoring and documenting fishing activity, the crew helped ensure compliance with established regulations, protecting marine resources and U.S. interests in one of the world’s most remote and scientifically significant regions.
“Coming back to Seattle following deployment for the first time in a few years means a lot, especially considering how we spend over 300 days away from home port each year,” said Capt. Jeff Rasnake, Polar Star’s commanding officer. “So, we’ll enjoy the warm embrace of friends and family for a minute before quickly getting back after the hard work of maintaining this cutter and getting it ready for next year’s mission.”
While transiting home, Polar Star’s crew made port calls in Hobart, Australia, and Wellington, New Zealand. While in Hobart, Polar Star hosted international visitors from CCAMLR, the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian government, including the commanding officer of Navy Headquarters Tasmania.
In Wellington, the U.S. Embassy hosted a reception aboard Polar Star, where David Gehrenbeck, U.S. charge d’affaires to New Zealand, hosted 40 distinguished guests, including Judith Collins, the 43rd minister of defense. Other guests and embassy representatives from over 10 countries joined Polar Star’s crew members to acknowledge the U.S. and New Zealand’s joint support of the Antarctic Treaty and celebrate Polar Star’s first visit to Wellington since December 2021.
Commissioned on Jan. 17, 1976, Polar Star is the only active U.S. heavy icebreaker and has served as a cornerstone of U.S. presence in the polar regions. For five decades, the cutter has executed missions ranging from Antarctic resupply and search and rescue to environmental protection and national defense.
“Polar Star reminded us of her age on more than one occasion this deployment, but as always, this crew demonstrated the cutter’s unique capability by working together through each challenge and finding a way to get the job done,” Rasnake said.
Polar Star will be completing its annual dry-dock maintenance over the summer, ensuring it is ready to meet all mission requirements for ODF27. The critical work completed during these periods ensures that U.S. maintains year-round access to the high latitudes.
– U.S. Coast Guard
