5 Fall 2025 Proceedings and territorial integrity in Alaska and the Arctic. There is an ever-increasing demand on the U.S. Coast Guard in this dynamic environment. Operating in the Arctic and across Alaska necessitates a unique skillset and robust infrastructure. The tyranny of distance, lim- ited communications, and extreme weather require our personnel to be highly trained, resourceful, and adapt- able. Every incident is a multi-agency event, especially those involving the thousands of annual transits of major ocean-going vessels along the Great Circle route. Our Coast Guard distinguishes itself in Alaska through inte- gration with the communities and through close coordi- nation among agencies with common interests. We unify to capitalize on the scarce resources we all share, and strong relationships across industry facilitate the Marine Transportation System, commerce, economy, and safety. The strategic importance of the Arctic demands strong international and interagency cooperation. Arctic operations benefit from ongoing joint response planning a sense of pride, as you helped lay the groundwork for what we continue to build upon across this vast area. For others, this is a venture into the unknown, like so many of us who took that initial, exciting chance to explore, expand horizons, and challenge ourselves. Either way, please find a cultivated collection of stories, perspec- tives, thoughtful insights, and ideas in the pages ahead. They present a combination of immersive introduction to the region, critical mission support, and impressive accomplishment told in first responders’ and operators’ own voices. They highlight industry involvement and cooperation with strategic vision for the coming years as securing our borders and protecting our territorial integrity is paramount. These stories also highlight amazing personnel who serve and live selflessly, who embody the core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty throughout Alaska—our auxiliarists, reservists, active-duty, civilians, and our families. I owe special thanks to former-district commander, RADM M. Dean, and former-chief of staff, CAPT John Cole, for the autonomy and encouragement to champion this mighty edition. Collectively, we are grateful for the support and engagement from our elected officials, our external partners at all levels, and the Alaskan citizens, the people of this wonderful land. Without the time and effort of our contributors, and their dedication to narrat- ing this exciting story of Coast Guard life in the Arctic District, we would be unable to convey such a clear and collaborative story—thank you, authors! In fact, we had so many contributors we exceeded the allotment for print, meaning readers can enjoy more Arctic articles by navigating to bit.ly/pro-exclusive. Welcome aboard, readers, and please enjoy your Alaskan cruise. and operations with Canada, a key relationship for regional stability. Enhanced partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense are vital to effective force projec- tion and the protection of critical Arctic waterways and resources. The Arctic region will continue to evolve and, while the Arctic environment presents unique challenges and opportunities, the U.S. Coast Guard’s primary objective remains constant—defend the Homeland and assure the safe and free flow of commerce throughout the Marine Transportation System. We must remain vigilant, adapt- able, and committed to our core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. By embracing innovation, foster- ing partnerships, and investing in the readiness of our personnel, we can ensure the U.S. Coast Guard continues to lead the way in safeguarding U.S. interests and pro- moting a safe, secure, and environmentally responsible Arctic. I know you will find the enclosed articles infor- mative and engaging as you discover what it takes to “Coast Guard” in the Arctic District.
