Senator Dan Sullivan convened a hearing titled ‘U.S. Coast Guard Capabilities for Safeguarding National Interests and Promoting Economic Security in the Arctic’ on Tuesday. He expressed his concerns about the security of the nation’s interests in the Arctic, considering the security implications of Chinese and Russian interests in the area.
Recent war games conducted by Russia in the Bering Sea were among the issues to be discussed, with the Coast Guard’s response discussed by Admiral Charles Ray, vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Senator Sullivan: “In recent months, Russian provocation has only increased. Russian Navy conducted its largest war game exercise since the Cold War near Alaska. This exercise extended into the U.S.-exclusive economic zone. Our commercial fishing fleet encountered a frightening situation in close proximity to a number of fishing vessels and directed them to immediately depart their legal fishing runs. These were Russian war ships. Without persistent U.S. presence in the Arctic, we risk leaving an opening for these types of aggressive actions to continue.”
Sullivan pressed Admiral Ray about the concerns of Alaska fisherman who felt threatened. Ray responded by saying that communication should have been clearer with the fishermen, and that they plan to take steps to prevent future concerns from arising.
Admrial Ray: “We’re learning forward to address the safety and security to our Arctic residents and the mariners who make their living there homeporting, by homeporting new offshore patrol cutters, fast-response cutters, investing in Alaska real estate, infrastructure, and prioritizing our operations in the region. The Coast Guard is also deeply concerned by the rising strategic risk to our nation, as China and Russia compete for diplomatic, economic, and strategic advantage in the Arctic.”
The committee also heard from a second panel of witnesses that included two Alaskans: Stephanie Madsen, executive director of the At-Sea Processors Association, and retired Air Force Major General Randy Kee, executive director of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center and a recent appointee to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.