Icebreakers, Multi-purpose Cutters & Polar Operations
ICEBREAKERS, MULTI-PURPOSE CUTTERS &
polar operations
———————————————————————
“Operation Deep Freeze” is a continual, joint-service U.S. military mission that provides life-sustaining supplies, critical logistics, transportation, and infrastructure support to the National Science Foundation and its U.S. Antarctic Program. First started in 1955, this annual operation exemplifies one of the military's most challenging peacetime missions, involving the Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and Air National Guard to resupply research stations like McMurdo Station in extreme weather conditions.
The Coast Guard’s primary responsibility is breaking paths in the ice so ships can safely sail into and out of the Antarctic region. The Coast Guard presently has three icebreakers capable of this duty:
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Since its commissioning on 17 January 1976, POLAR STAR has made 28 deployments in support of Operation Deep Freeze through 2025. This number is second only to USCGC GLACIER (WAGB-4), which successfully completed 29 Operation Deep Freeze missions.
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
With less than three weeks’ notice, HEALY deployed to Antarctica from January 2003 to April 2003 in support of Operation Deep Freeze’s annual supply mission to McMurdo Station. HEALY and USCGC POLAR SEA (WAGB-11) successfully worked together to replenish the ice station. HEALY also skillfully escorted the tanker Richard G. Matthieson and the freighter American Tern safely through the ice, while facilitating delivery of vital resources to McMurdo Station. For its exemplary performance, HEALY was awarded the Coast Guard Unit Commendation in May 2003.
USCGC STORIS (WAGB-21)
360’ Medium Icebreaker
The Coast Guard’s newest icebreaker was originally built as the icebreaking Anchor Handling Tug
Supply (AHTS) vessel Aiviq. The Coast Guard acquired the ship in December 2024, and after several months of extensive renovations, she was commissioned on 10 August 2025 as the medium icebreaker
USCGC STORIS (WAGB-21). Her namesake is USCGC STORIS (WAGL-38/WAG-38/WAGB-38/WMEC-38), which served from 30 September 1942 - 12 February 2007. STORIS is temporarily homeported in Seattle, WA, alongside the other Coast Guard icebreakers, until the shoreside facilities in Juneau, AK, have been upgraded. Once completed, STORIS will call Juneau home.
———————————————————————
Operation Deep Freeze
Antarctica - The Final Frontier
(2-1/2” diameter)
Operation Deep Freeze
1955 - 1999
Old Antarctic Explorers Association
Operation Deep Freeze
60th Anniversary
2015 - 2016
(2-1/2” W x 2” H)
Operation Deep Freeze
2025
(2-1/2” W x 2-1/8” H)
United States Antarctic Program
ASC (Antarctic Support Contract)
McMurdo Area Manager
(2-1/2” W x 2” H)
Dedicated To All USCGC Icebreaker Sailors
”We Sail To The Ends Of The Earth”
(2-1/4” diameter)
USCGC SOUTHWIND (WAG-280/WAGB-280)
269’ Wind-class Icebreaker
Coast Guard Service: 1944-1945; 1966-1974
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
First Class Petty Officer Mess
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
First Class Petty Officer Mess
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
(2-1/2” diameter)
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
(3-1/2” diameter)
USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 17 January 1976
Current Status: Active
(Heavy 3” diameter x 1/4” thick)
USCGC POLAR SEA (WAGB-11)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 23 February 1978
Current Status: “Out of Service” since 2010
”Parts donor” for USCGC POLAR STAR
USCGC POLAR SEA (WAGB-11)
399’ Polar-class Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 23 February 1978
Current Status: “Out of Service” since 2010
”Parts donor” for USCGC POLAR STAR
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
First Class Petty Officers Mess
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
Canada/U.S. Joint Expedition Arctic Ocean
Summer 2008, 2009
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
Arctic Sea Service
Since 1999
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
10 Years of Arctic Service
1999 - 2009
USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
420’ Medium Icebreaker
Seattle, WA
Commissioned: 10 November 1999
Coast Guard’s Largest Cutter
(2-1/4” H x 2” W)
USCGC STORIS (WAGB-21)
360’ Medium Icebreaker
Juneau, AK
Commissioned: 10 August 2025
USCGC STORIS (WAGB-21)
360’ Medium Icebreaker
Juneau, AK
Commissioned: 10 August 2025
USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30)
240’ Multi-purpose Great Lakes Cutter
Cheboygan, MI
Commissioned: 10 June 2006
Presented by Commanding Officer
USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30)
240’ Multi-purpose Great Lakes Cutter
Cheboygan, MI
Commissioned: 10 June 2006
USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30)
240’ Multi-purpose Great Lakes Cutter
Cheboygan, MI
Commissioned: 10 June 2006
USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30)
240’ Multi-purpose Great Lakes Cutter
Cheboygan, MI
Commissioned: 10 June 2006
“Continuing the Legacy”
USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83)
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
Commissioned: 20 December 1944
Decommissioned: 10 June 2006
Presently a Museum Ship at the
Icebreaker MACKINAW Martime Museum in
Mackinaw City, MI
USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30)
Commissioned: 10 June 2006
Project Resident Office
USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83)
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
Commissioned: 20 December 1944
Decommissioned: 10 June 2006
Presently a Museum Ship at the
Icebreaker MACKINAW Martime Museum in
Mackinaw City, MI
USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30)
Commissioned: 10 June 2006
USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83)
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
Commissioned: 20 December 1944
Decommissioned: 10 June 2006
Presently a Museum Ship at the Icebreaker MACKINAW Martime Museum
in Mackinaw City, MI
(White Hull: 1944 - 1998 / Red Hull: 1998 - 2006)
(4-1/2” W x 2” H)
USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83)
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
Commissioned: 20 December 1944
Decommissioned: 10 June 2006
Icebreaker MACKINAW Maritime Museum
Mackinaw City, MI
(Obverse - White Hull / Reverse - Red Hull)
USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83)
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
Commissioned: 20 December 1944
Decommissioned: 10 June 2006
Icebreaker MACKINAW Maritime Museum
Mackinaw, MI
(Red Hull)
USCGC MACKINAW (WAGB-83)
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
290’ Great Lakes Icebreaker
Commissioned: 20 December 1944
Decommissioned: 10 June 2006
Presently a Museum Ship at the Icebreaker MACKINAW Martime Museum
in Mackinaw City, MI
