The Coast Guard cutter Polar Star departed Seattle on Nov. 27 for its 29th deployment to Antarctica, supporting Operation Deep Freeze. The annual mission resupplies U.S. Antarctic stations under the National Science Foundation. The Polar Star is the only U.S. vessel capable of breaking a channel through ice to reach McMurdo Station, the continent’s largest logistics hub. Each year the cutter enables fuel and supply ships to enter the Ross Sea and resupply U.S. bases, safeguarding security and economic interests in the polar regions. Capt. Jeff Rasnake, the cutter’s commanding officer, praised the crew’s work and readiness. Commissioned in 1976, the 399‑foot cutter generates up to 75,000 shaft horsepower. It will continue Operation Deep Freeze support until new polar and Arctic cutters enter service in the coming decade.
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Summary adapted from https://war.gov
https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4344918/coast-guard-heavy-icebreaker-departs-seattle-for-antarctic-deployment/
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