Rushing Navy Ships into the Arctic for a FONOP is Dangerous
Proceedings Magazine - January 2019 Vol.
145/1/1,391
By Dr. Rebecca
While the warming Arctic promises to open dramatic new possibilities for shipping and commerce, plans for Arctic operations recently discussed by U.S. Navy leaders are premature and potentially dangerous.
Speaking at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) on 8 January, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer stated that he had discussed Navy ship operations in the Arctic with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). Secretary Spencer was quoted as saying:
“As an example, this summer, the [CNO] and I have talked about having some ships make the transit in the Arctic. It’s going to be a multiservice task—I think you’ll see the Coast Guard involved. We’re just fleshing it out right now. But what is the purpose of that? We have to learn what it’s like to operate in that environment. . . . freedom of navigation should be plied up there. We’re going to try to do it.â€
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2019-01/rushing-navy-ships-arctic-fonop-dangerous
