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Coast Guard Arctic Mission Promotes Partnerships, Climate Research

Oct. 5, 2021 | By DoD News
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The Coast Guard cutter Healy and its crew are on a multipurpose mission taking them through the Arctic as they circumnavigate North America via the Northwest Passage and the Panama Canal. Coast Guard officials say the deployment aims to strengthen regional partnerships and support scientific exploration to increase understanding of the changing Arctic environment.

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The Healy's crew supported a team of international scientists conducting research aboard the cutter by deploying equipment in Baffin Bay and off the coast of Greenland. 

Icebergs poke out of dark blue water.
Icebergs poke out of dark blue water.
Icebergs Ahead
Icebergs loom ahead of the Coast Guard cutter Healy as the crew navigates near Umanak Fjord, Greenland, Sept. 24, 2021.
Download: Full Size (5.87 MB)
Credit: Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi
VIRIN: 210924-G-DX668-1019
Two people are silhouetted against a window looking out on the ocean and clouds.
Two people are silhouetted against a window looking out on the ocean and clouds.
Bridge View
Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard cutter Healy observe Baffin Island from the bridge while conducting scientific operations in Baffin Bay, Sept. 16, 2021.
Download: Full Size (1.57 MB)
Credit: Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi
VIRIN: 210916-G-DX668-3011

Two Coast Guardsmen hold a large device above the ocean.
Two Coast Guardsmen hold a large device above the ocean.
Instrument Deployment
Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard cutter Healy prepare to deploy a Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth instrument near Umanak Fjord, Greenland, Sept. 24, 2021.
Download: Full Size (3.43 MB)
Credit: Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi
VIRIN: 210924-G-DX668-1094

A navigational tool lies across a large map.
A navigational tool lies across a large map.
Cutter Course
A plot line shows the Coast Guard cutter Healy’s course as the crew navigates the cutter near Umanak Fjord, Greenland, Sept. 24. 2021.
Download: Full Size (3.29 MB)
Credit: Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi
VIRIN: 210924-G-DX668-1013
Coast Guardsmen stand in a small boat above the ocean.
Coast Guardsmen stand in a small boat above the ocean.
Antenna Repair
Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard cutter Healy repair a damaged radio antenna on one of Healy’s three cutter small boats while operating in the vicinity of Umanak Fjord, Greenland, Sept. 24, 2021.
Download: Full Size (4.17 MB)
Credit: Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi
VIRIN: 210924-G-DX668-1128

The Healy has 85 permanent crewmembers who maintain and operate the 420-foot medium icebreaker. 

A Coast Guard cutter navigates through the water.
A Coast Guard cutter navigates through the water.
Science Mission
The Coast Guard cutter Healy navigates near Baffin Island, Canada, while supporting an international team of scientists aboard who are conducting scientific research missions throughout area, Sept. 16, 2021.
Download: Full Size (962.56 KB)
Credit: Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi
VIRIN: 210916-G-DX668-3051A

Science climate change Coast Guard partnerships

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