US Coast Guard Cutter Juniper deploys to far Arctic region for joint operations.
The Newport, R.I., based Coast Guard Cutter Juniper is deploying to the Arctic to conduct maritime safety and security exchanges with the Canadian navy and coast guard along with elements of the Danish navy.
During the deployment, Juniper will participate in various elements of Operation Nanook. The operation is in the northernmost region of the high Arctic in the vicinity of Baffin Island and areas off Greenland’s west coast, approximately 2,300 miles northeast of Juniper’s homeport.
Under the direction of Canada’s Joint Task Force North, the cutter is participating in this operation to enhance the Coast Guard’s interoperability with international forces and to provide the experience of working and responding to incidents in the harsh Arctic environment.
The Coast Guard’s key mission during this patrol is to enhance defense readiness, conduct ice operations and other law enforcement missions. The Coast Guard will conduct arctic operations to include cutter deployment to enhance interoperability, build proficiency, experience and demonstrate our leadership in the Arctic. This deployment will include participation in four distinct international exercises and operations.
“This joint operation with Canadian and Danish forces is the third opportunity, in as many years, for the U.S. Coast Guard to participate in similar exercises in this area of the Arctic,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Caudle, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Juniper. “There is a heightened level of interest in this remote region; this is an ideal opportunity to reinforce our existing relationships with these key partners.”
The Juniper is the lead ship of the Coast Guard’s seagoing buoy tenders and has a crew of 44 including eight officers and 36 enlisted personnel.