U.S. Coast Guard Sends Icebreaker ‘Healy’ to Monitor Chinese Research Vessels Off Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard has responded to two Chinese research vessels operating in waters off Alaska’s northern coast, highlighting growing strategic competition in the rapidly changing Arctic region.

Between August 31 and September 2, Coast Guard assets were deployed to monitor the Chinese-flagged research vessel JIDI, found approximately 265 miles northwest of Utqiagvik, and the Liberia-flagged Chinese research ship Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di, located about 230 miles north of Utqiagvik.

Both vessels were operating over the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf and are part of a group of five Chinese vessels recently active in Arctic waters.

The Coast Guard Arctic District deployed the USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) to monitor and query both vessels, with additional aerial support from an HC-130J Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak.

“This operation highlights the value of our ice-capable fleet,” said Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District. “The U.S. Coast Guard is controlling, securing, and defending the northern U.S. border and maritime approaches in the Arctic to protect U.S. sovereignty, and Healy’s operations demonstrate the critical need for more Coast Guard icebreakers to achieve that.”

The response operations were conducted under Coast Guard Arctic District’s Operation Frontier Sentinel, designed to counter adversary activity in U.S. waters.

Prior to responding to the Chinese vessels, Coast Guard Cutters Waesche (WMSL 751) and Healy conducted a joint patrol in the Arctic Ocean, part of the service’s commitment to maintaining a presence in the region.

In August, the Coast Guard bolstered its Arctic capabilities by commissioning the Cutter Storis (WAGB 21) in Juneau. The Storis is currently operating in the Bering Sea and Arctic to secure U.S. national security interests.

The five Chinese research vessels operating in the region have been identified as: Xue Long 2 (China flagged), Shen Hai Yi Hao (China flagged), Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di (Liberia flagged), Ji Di (China flagged), and Tan Suo San Hao (China flagged).

According to Rear Adm. Little, “Commissioning the Storis and Earl Cunningham increases our ability to control, secure, and defend Alaska’s U.S. border and maritime approaches. As we continue to grow our surface fleet, we utilize our aviation resources which play a vital role in countering foreign malign influence.”

The Coast Guard continues to monitor ongoing Chinese activity in the region.

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