Coast Guard to homeport four icebreakers in Alaska

The Coast Guard announced Thursday that it will homeport two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and one in Seward once infrastructure is ready, bringing to four the number of icebreakers assigned to Alaska.

The announcement expands federal icebreaking capacity in Alaska waters. The fourth icebreaker joins two Arctic Security Cutters announced in April and the Coast Guard Cutter Storis, commissioned in Juneau in August 2025. First delivery of the new Arctic Security Cutters is expected in 2028.

Alaska's congressional delegation secured $3.5 billion for three Arctic Security Cutters and over $3 billion for shoreside infrastructure through the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The infrastructure funding included $300 million needed for homeporting the Storis in Juneau.

The funding package also allocated $4.3 billion for two Polar Security Cutters and $816 million for more than ten light and medium domestic icebreaking cutters. Beyond icebreakers, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act included $1 billion for approximately 10 Fast Response Cutters, $4.3 billion for approximately nine Offshore Patrol Cutters, $2.2 billion for approximately 40 MH-60 helicopters, and $1.1 billion for approximately six HC-130 aircraft.

Dan Sullivan, who chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, said the announcement continues what he called "the Alaska Comeback."

Lisa Murkowski said the vessels will enable the Coast Guard to support missions across the North Pacific and Arctic while bringing housing investment, construction jobs, and Coast Guard families to Kodiak and Seward. "There is still significant work ahead at every level to build this out," Murkowski said, referring to shoreside infrastructure.

Nick Begich said homeporting the icebreakers in Alaska puts them closest to Arctic waters where they will operate. "This is what happens when Alaska's delegation works as one," Begich said.

Admiral Kevin Lunday testified in January 2026 that the Coast Guard was considering homeporting up to four Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited President Trump's leadership and the Alaska delegation's work securing funding.

Kodiak already hosts Coast Guard Base Kodiak, one of the service's largest operational bases supporting aircraft and cutters across the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Arctic approaches. Seward's deep-water, ice-free port on Resurrection Bay currently accommodates cargo and cruise traffic.