Coast Guard, multiple agencies conduct exercise north of Barrow as commandant testifies on Arctic capabilities

BARROW, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircrew searches for various shaped and weighted buoys from the airplane over the Arctic Ocean July 27, 2011.

The buoys were used to simulate people in the water during a joint rescue exercise comprised of Air Force, Alaska Air National Guard and North Slope Borough personnel all searching for 10 simulated people in the water after a sailboat accident in the Arctic Ocean.

The two-day joint exercise, designed to better understand each agencies capabilities and concerns during a maritime mass causality event, started the same day Coast Guard commandant, Adm. Bob Papp, testified before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee about the challenges the service faces operating in the region

“Rapid change is occurring; Arctic ice is diminishing and in summer months an entire new ocean is emerging,” said Papp during his testimony. “These new waters are spurring an increase in human activities such as natural resource exploration, shipping, and ecotourism.”

U.S. Coast Guard Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charly Hengen

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