Coast Guard to homeport three icebreakers in Kodiak, Seward

The Coast Guard will homeport two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and one in Seward once infrastructure is complete, the service announced Wednesday. The first cutter is expected to arrive by the end of 2028.

The decision follows years of advocacy by Alaska's congressional delegation. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said communities must prepare now. "We can't. It's hard to get the people unless they know they're going to be able to have decent housing," Murkowski said.

The vessels will support Arctic security missions and bring economic benefits to Kodiak and Seward, including construction jobs, housing investment, and Coast Guard families moving to the communities. Both cities will need to develop shoreside infrastructure and community integration plans to support the cutters and their crews.

The Alaska congressional delegation secured $3.5 billion for the procurement of three Arctic Security Cutters through the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The legislation also provided $4.3 billion for two new Polar Security Cutters and over $3 billion for shoreside infrastructure to support the new icebreaking fleet.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, said the announcement marks a turnaround for America's Arctic security. "For decades, America languished behind our main adversaries in the Arctic, with just two icebreakers, one of which is broken," Sullivan said. "Now, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, not only are we building brand-new icebreakers, but we're homeporting four where the ice is: Alaska."

Rep. Nick Begich said homeporting the icebreakers in Alaska puts them "exactly where they belong, closest to the mission and ready to project American strength across the Arctic at a time when our adversaries are racing to expand their own presence."

In a statement, officials thanked President Donald Trump "for his bold leadership and vision in directing this critical investment and Alaska's congressional delegation for championing the funding that made these icebreakers possible."

Kodiak already hosts a major Coast Guard base supporting cutters, aircraft, and personnel in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea.