U.S. Navy Bolsters Arctic Presence with ‘Operation Ice Camp Boarfish’
BARENTS SEA – The U.S. Navy launched “Operation Ice Camp Boarfish” in the Arctic Ocean on March 7, 2026, signaling a heightened focus on maintaining operational readiness in a region of growing strategic importance. The three-week operation, involving submarines USS Delaware (SSN-791) and USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), aims to research, test, and evaluate capabilities for operating under the Arctic ice.
The operation centers around Ice Camp Boarfish, a temporary base constructed on a drifting Arctic ice floe. This unique facility serves as a command center for submarine operations, research, and collaboration with international partners.
“The Arctic is a critical region for national security and global stability,” stated Vice Adm. Richard Seif, Commander of Submarine Forces. “Our commitment to a sustained presence and operational readiness here is unwavering.”
The Navy emphasizes the increasing maritime activity in the Arctic, driven by factors like decreasing sea ice and growing interest in shipping and resource exploration. This shift elevates the region’s strategic value for the United States and its allies.
Operation Ice Camp Boarfish isn’t solely a U.S. endeavor. Personnel from the U.S. Marine Corps and Air National Guard are participating, alongside forces from Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Representatives from the Norwegian Defence Research Institute and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology are also involved, highlighting the multinational scope of the operation.
Navigating and operating under the ice presents significant challenges. Submariners must utilize specialized sonar techniques and ice-avoidance procedures, and possess the ability to surface through thick ice layers. The operation provides a crucial training environment to hone these skills and assess equipment performance in extreme cold.
Capt. David Nichols, the officer in tactical control of this year’s operation, underscored the logistical complexity of establishing the camp. “The complexity of establishing a fully functional base on a moving sheet of ice cannot be overstated,” he said.
This year’s operation has been elevated from an exercise to an official operation, reflecting the Navy’s increased strategic focus on Arctic readiness. Ice Camp Boarfish is conducted every two years, and the Arctic Submarine Laboratory, a detachment of the Navy’s Undersea Warfighting Development Center, leads the planning and execution. The laboratory serves as the Submarine Force’s primary center for Arctic expertise and research.
