gcaptain | March 21, 2016
by Mike Schuler
Some new video filmed and released by the U.S. Navy shows the awesome moment when a nuclear-powered fast attack sub surfaces from below ice in the Arctic circle.
The USS Hartford, which appears in the video, is one of two Los Angeles-class subs that arrived at U.S. Navy’s temporary ice base “Camp Sargo” last week for ICEX 2016, an exercise designed to assess the operational readiness of America’s submarine force in the arctic while also supporting scientific research.
Over the next five weeks, the Connecticut-based Hartford along with the San-Diego-based USS Hampton will remain in the region to conduct multiple arctic transits, a North Pole surfacing, scientific data collection, and other training exercises for the Navy.
Navy submarines have conducted under-ice operations in the Arctic region for more than 50 years, beginning with first transit by the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) in 1958. In March of 1959, USS Skate (SSN 578) became the first U.S. submarine to surface through the ice at the North Pole. USS Sargo (SSN 583), which the temporary ice camp is named after, was the first submarine to make a winter Bering Strait transit in 1960. The U.S. Navy says that since those events, the U.S. Submarine Force has completed more than 26 Arctic exercises in total.
Here are some more photos of the USS Hampton from during in the exercise:
USS Hampton (SSN 757) surfaces through the Arctic ice during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2016. U.S. Navy Photo
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160311-N-QA919-061 Arctic Circle (March 13, 2016) – Ice Camp Sargo, located in the Arctic Circle, serves as the main stage for Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2016 and will house more than 200 participants from four nations over the course of the exercise. ICEX 2016 is a five-week exercise designed to research, test, and evaluate operational capabilities in the region. ICEX 2016 allows the U.S. Navy to assess operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and develop partnerships and collaborative efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Thompson)
Ice Camp Sargo, located in the Arctic Circle, serves as the main stage for Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2016 and will house more than 200 participants from four nations over the course of the exercise. U.S. Navy Photo
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