On August 5, a C-130J Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak identified the Ji Di and Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di transiting northeast in the Bering Sea. The following day, the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) intercepted the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di in the Chukchi Sea, north of the Arctic Circle, shortly after it passed the Bering Strait.
The Coast Guard confirmed the monitoring is part of Operation Frontier Sentinel, a program aimed at addressing foreign vessel activity in Alaskan and Arctic waters. Officials say the mission seeks to deter potentially hostile actions, safeguard U.S. sovereign interests, and uphold maritime norms consistent with international law.
In a related operation last month, Coast Guard Arctic District personnel deployed another C-130J aircraft to observe the Xue Long 2 roughly 290 nautical miles north of Utqiaġvik, Alaska. The vessel’s appearance and the current patrols reflect a broader trend: over the past three years, Chinese research vessels have increasingly operated north of the Bering Strait. In 2024 alone, three such vessels conducted operations in the region.
The Arctic District works in partnership with U.S. Northern Command, Alaskan Command, and international allies to track foreign vessels near U.S. waters and the extended continental shelf. The Coast Guard remains the sole U.S. surface presence in the Arctic — a region officials describe as a growing focal point for global strategic competition.
To bolster operational capability, the Coast Guard will commission the icebreaker Storis this Sunday in Juneau, expanding its capacity to maintain year-round Arctic access and security.
The Arctic is no longer a quiet frontier—it’s becoming a focal point of strategic rivalry. The growing presence of Chinese research ships, along with Russia’s and America’s increased activity, shows how important these icy waters have become. With more icebreakers on the way, expect to see the U.S. Coast Guard even more active up north.
ReplyDelete