The US Coast Guard has launched its newest icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), marking the service’s first polar icebreaker acquisition in over 25 years. Acquired in 2024 for $125 million, Storis—formerly Aiviq—underwent extensive upgrades and is now certified to Polar Class 3-equivalent standards. Under Capt. Keith Ropella’s command, the vessel will enhance US Arctic operations amid rising regional tensions and joint patrols by Russia and China. Temporarily based in Seattle, Storis will eventually homeport in Juneau, Alaska, and is part of a broader Coast Guard strategy to expand the nation’s polar fleet under the Force Design 2028 initiative.
