Clocking in Jointly on a multi-mission Alaska Arctic patrol
The USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751), one of four frigate-sized Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Alameda, returned home this week from a 105-day Arctic deployment spanning over 21,000 nautical miles.
Besides close surveillance on several interloping Chinese government-owned research ships in the greater Alaskan sea frontier, the 413-foot Waesche got in lots of multi-national and multi-service joint ops with USAF HH-60 Pave Hawks during NORTHCOM’s Exercise Arctic Edge 2025, where the cutter served as a Forward Afloat Staging Base, executing a complex, multi-agency assault of a mock target of interest. The operation showcased seamless integration between Waesche, Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West, U.S. Navy SEALs, and the Alaska Air National Guard to rapidly respond to domestic threats.”
Members of Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West, USCGC Waesche (751), and Special Operations Forces transit on an Over the Horizon cutter boat during Arctic Edge 2025 near Nome, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2025. AE25 is a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance Joint and Allied Force interoperability in the Arctic. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell)
A member of the Navy Seals converges with Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) and Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters during Arctic Edge 2025 near Nome, Alaska, Aug. 10, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo 250810-G-CY518-1003 by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell)
Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) and Special Operations Force crews transit on Over the Horizon cutter boats in the Bering Sea, August 10, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell)
Of note, the mock seizure seems to be on the Alaska-based NOAAS Fairweather (S 220), a 231-foot survey ship, which surely isn’t a message to the Chinese research ships in the region.
An Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crew simulates a hoist above the Fairweather during Arctic Edge 2025 in the Bering Sea, Aug. 10, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell)
The cutter also did steaming and gunnery drills (both 57mm and CIWS) with the Canadian frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) in the Bering Sea during Operation Latitude including “passenger exchange, a mock boarding, cross-deck hoist operations with Regina’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, air support from a U.S. Coast Guard C-130J Hercules fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Kodiak and a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora [P-3 Orion].”
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751) and Royal Canadian Navy His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Regina, sail alongside each other as a USCG Air Station Kodiak HC-130 and Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora fly overhead during Operation Latitude in the Bering Sea, Alaska, Aug. 25, 2025. Canadian-led Operation Latitude, in conjunction with Alaskan Command and U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District, focused on increasing domain awareness in the High North and enhancing interoperability between Canada and the United States. (Courtesy photo 250825-O-EZ530-2080 by Canadian Armed Forces Master Corporal William Gosse)
Besides working with Regina, Waesche also worked separately with the Canadian OPV HMCS Max Bernays and successfully conducted “the Coast Guard’s first-ever fueling at sea in the Alaskan theater with the Royal Canadian Navy replenishment oiler MV Asterix – accomplished in 6-8 foot seas with sustained 30-knot winds.”
United States Coast Guard Cutter Waesche receiving fuel during a Replenishment At Sea with Naval Replenishment Unit Asterix during Operation Latitude on 9 September 2025. Photo: S3 Owen Davis, Canadian Armed Forces.
In all, a very robust patrol it would seem.
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