Admiral Papp: USCG Not Ready for Arctic Ops

July 28, 2011

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp, Navy Rear Adm. David Titley and Ambassador David Balton testify before the U.S. Senate during a hearing on defending U.S. economic interests in the changing Arctic July 27. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp testified before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee on defending U.S. economic interests in the changing Arctic.
During the hearing, Adm. Papp discussed America’s position as an Arctic nation, the Law of the Sea Convention, and need to complete construction of at least eight national security cutters. He also provided examples of challenges facing Coast Guard operations in the Arctic:
“Operations in the Arctic’s extreme cold, darkness and ice-infested waters require specialized equipment, infrastructure and training. Our current Arctic capabilities are very limited. We have only one operational ice breaker. We do not have any coastal or shoreside infrastructure. Nor do we have a seasonal base to hanger our aircraft or sustain our crews.”

Click below to read Adm. Papp’s written testimony
http://www.uscg.mil/seniorleadership/DOCS/2011-07-27;%20Arctic%20Hearing%20Written%20Testimony.pdf
(Source: USCG)