The US Coast Guard will commission the Cutter Storis on Sunday in Juneau, marking the service’s first new icebreaker in a quarter-century.
The commissioning ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 am at Peratrovich Plaza, 292 Marine Way, and will be streamed online for remote viewers. Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, will preside over the event and hold a media availability afterward.
The Storis represents a major expansion of the Coast Guard’s icebreaking capability, a critical mission in Alaska and the Arctic where the service maintains year-round maritime safety, security, and environmental protection operations.
Watch a video of the Storis here.
The commissioning comes as the also Coast Guard welcomed nearly $25 billion in funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the largest single commitment of resources in the service’s history. The investment strengthens every facet of Coast Guard operations, from drug interdiction and maritime border security to Arctic operations and search and rescue.
According to Coast Guard estimates, the new funding will allow the service to procure 17 new icebreakers, 21 new cutters, more than 40 helicopters, and six C-130J aircraft, while also modernizing shore infrastructure and maritime surveillance systems. The package also enhances the Coast Guard’s ability to counter drug and human trafficking, improve navigational safety, and enable maritime trade.
Investment highlights from One Big Beautiful Bill include:
- $4.4 billion for shore infrastructure, training facilities, and homeports
- $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters, extending U.S. reach in the Arctic
- $4.3 billion for nine new Offshore Patrol Cutters
- $3.5 billion for three Arctic Security Cutters
- $2.3 billion for more than 40 MH-60 helicopters
- $2.2 billion for depot-level maintenance to sustain readiness
- $1.1 billion for six new HC-130J aircraft and simulators
- $1 billion for Fast Response Cutters
- $816 million for light and medium icebreaking cutters
- $266 million for long-range unmanned aircraft systems
- $170 million for maritime domain awareness, including next-generation sensors
- $162 million for three Waterways Commerce Cutters
The investment supports Force Design 2028, the Department of Homeland Security’s modernization plan to ensure the Coast Guard remains a capable and resilient maritime force for decades to come.
Thank you Senator Lisa Murkowski of the Great State of Alaska.
You had better thank all 3 members of our delegation!!
You misspelled Sullivan there
The silence is deafening. No one else will even whisper a thanks to Lisa here on MRAK.
Thank you President of the United States – Donald Trump and Dan Sullivan of the Great State of Alaska.
‘Storis’ has broken-up and melted all the ice pack in Juneau already! Where to next?
You win the internet today, Rob. – sd