Should the US be concerned over it's lack of icebreakers?

2015-06-16T09:01:07-04:00

The US only has one functional heavy icebreaker, owned by the Coast Guard. The Navy relies upon it as they have none of their own. Russia has over 20, with the importance of accessing natural resources in the Arctic, shouldn't this be a priority?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-06-16T09:11:03-04:00

No global warming

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-06-16T09:30:14-04:00

Absolutely we should have more icebreakers. The polar regions are going to be areas of strategic interest for trade and minerals for the next decades. The powers-that-be in Washington are selling us short, and this capability has been allowed to dwindle for many years.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jun 16 at 2015 9:34 AM

2015-06-16T09:34:48-04:00

The U.S. Should have a couple of ice breakers on each coast. Especially along Sewerds Ice Box. If the Russians ever decide to invade, Alaska would probably be a logical entry point. Invade early in the spring to set up a base then spread out from there. With some ice breakers we would have the means to, 1: head them off at the pass if detected early enough. 2: come in behind them. 3: deploy battle ships in areas with lots of ice.
Or we could modify the battle ships to include ice breaking capabilities. All in all, a win, win situation.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 10:37 AM

2015-06-16T10:37:47-04:00

Sgt Nick Marshall, Just to clarify, I know for a fact that the USCGC has at least TWO heavy icebreakers, the Polar Star (WAGB-10), and the Polar Sea (WAGB-11). I've ridden both of them during my time in Antarctica (Operation DEEP FREEZE).

The two vessels swap which circles they operate in each year (e.g., the Polar Star would operate in the Antarctic one year, then in the Arctic the next).

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 16 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-06-16T10:53:54-04:00

Sounds like a job for the Military Sealift Command.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jun 16 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-06-16T12:16:21-04:00

This is a huge issue, especially given the likelihood of the Northern route opening. We had to rely on Russia to bail out an Alaska city (Nome?) - that should never happen...

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jun 16 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-06-16T15:25:02-04:00

The Soviets had/have several nuclear-powered ice-breakers (Arktika Class, for one). We need some of THOSE... I volunteer to help run it!

In the meantime, would napalm work? Probably a double-whammy on the "climate change" meter... melting ice AND greenhouse gases...

Response by PO2 Christopher Taggart made Jun 17 at 2015 3:37 PM

2015-06-17T15:37:45-04:00

Very good point ? USA should have at least 2 of them on the ready especially around Alaska.... on call?

Response by PO1 Russell Henson made Jun 21 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-06-21T10:10:53-04:00

Yes, future planning hopefully will include budgeting for at least 4 ice breakers before it become an imminent need