USCG opens Barrow operating location

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it is opening its seasonal forward operating location in Barrow, probably on Aug. 21. The Barrow location will support the agency’s Arctic Shield 2014 program, the annual program of Coast Guard activities in the Arctic region.

The Coast Guard says that, in advance of the official opening of the Barrow location, it has deployed two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews, and support crews, to the Arctic from its Kodiak air station. A Kodiak-based HC-130 Hercules airplane will provide logistical support, the Coast Guard says.

The forward operating location in Barrow will minimize the time taken to respond to search and rescue emergencies in the Arctic Ocean.

“With an increased number of vessels operating in the region during the summer months, being deployed in Barrow will allow us to rapidly respond to mariners in need of assistance,” said Lt. Matt Carlton, pilot, Air Station Kodiak. “This also gives us an opportunity to build interagency partnerships and increase our Arctic maritime domain awareness.”

- Alan Bailey