The U.S. Navy officially launched Operation ICE CAMP Boarfish launched, a complex military and scientific mission carried out in the Beaufort Sea, within the Arctic Circle.
The operation began after the construction of a camp on a huge floating ice shelf and the arrival of two US Navy fast attack submarines: USS Delaware (SSN-791) in USS Santa Fe (SSN-763).
The initiative is expected to last three weeks and aims to research, test and evaluate operational capabilities in the extreme Arctic environment, a region increasingly strategic due to climate change and the increase in maritime activities.
Operation brings together military troops and scientists from different countries
In addition to the US Navy, several international military and scientific organizations are participating in the operation. The participants include:
- U.S. Marine Corps
- Air National Guard
- Royal Australian Navy
- Royal Canadian Navy
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- French Navy
- Royal Navy of the United Kingdom
- Norwegian Defence Research Institute
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
The exercise takes place every two years and is carried out in collaboration with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL). In this edition, the training was officially upgraded from an exercise to an operation, reflecting the growing strategic priority of the Arctic for the US Navy.
According to Vice Admiral Richard Seif, commander of the US submarine forces, a military presence in the region is essential.
“The Arctic is a critical region for national security and global stability. ICE CAMP Boarfish allows us to test and enhance our capabilities, strengthen interoperability with allies and ensure our submarine forces can operate in any environment,” he stated.
Military base built on moving ice
It Ice Camp Boarfish serves as the command center for the operation and was built directly on a floating ice shelf in the Arctic Ocean. The location includes:
- shelters for multinational teams
- a command center
- communications infrastructure
- logistics support facilities
The entire base slowly drifts with the ice, which makes the operational challenge even greater.
Captain David Nichols, responsible for the tactical control of the mission, emphasized the complexity of the project.
“Establishing a fully functional base on a moving ice shelf is a huge challenge. The professionalism of everyone involved makes this critical mission possible,” he explained.
The operation’s name honors historic World War II submarine
The camp is named Boarfish in honor of the USS Boarfish (SS-327), a Balao-class submarine commissioned in 1944 during World War II. The ship received a battle star after sinking two Japanese ships in the South China Sea.
In 1947, the Boarfish also led the historic Operation Blue Nose, the first undersea exploration under the Arctic ice sheet, testing new sonar technologies for under-ice navigation.
More than 60 years of submarine operations in the Arctic
Submarine operations under the Arctic ice have a long tradition in the US Navy. Some historical milestones are:
- 1958 – from USS Nautilus (SSN-571) performed the first submarine crossing under the North Pole
- 1959 – from USS Skate (SSN-578) became the first submarine to surface through the ice at the North Pole
Since then, the U.S. Submarine Force has conducted 99 such operations, making ICE CAMP Boarfish the 100th under-ice mission in Navy history.
Arctic region takes on global strategic significance
Due to the gradual melting of the sea ice, the Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for maritime trade and natural resource exploration.
This increases the possibility of new transoceanic shipping routes and energy exploitation, while also increasing military interest from several major powers.
In this scenario, submarines remain the main strategic tool for presence and deterrence in the underwater domain, thanks to their ability to operate stealthily in extreme conditions.
According to the US Navy these forces are “the spearhead in the undersea domain,” capable of ensuring surveillance, deterrence and combat power anywhere in the world — including under the Arctic ice.
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Source and images: Department of War. This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
