Two New Coast Guard Cutters Commissioned in Alaska

The Coast Guard commissioned two new cutters in Alaska this month, one in Juneau and one in Kodiak. The Coast Guard Foundation marked the events by giving each crew $5,000 for their morale funds.

“It is an honor to be here in Alaska to honor these crews and the proud traditions they carry forward,” said Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation president. “Alaska’s waters are some of the most challenging in the world, and these cutters and their crews are essential to saving lives, protecting resources and serving communities across the region.”

Cutter Storis
In Juneau, the Cutter Storis was commissioned on August 10 in Juneau. It is the first new polar icebreaker the Coast Guard has added in more than 25 years. The Storis will work in the Arctic, supporting icebreaking and other missions until the new polar security cutter class is ready.

The ship was first built as the motor vessel Aiviq. The Coast Guard purchased it last year and upgraded its communication and defense systems before renaming it. It will be homeported in Seattle until a new pier is finished in Juneau. This is the second ship to carry the Storis name. The first served 64 years and earned the nickname “Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast.”

Cutter Earl Cunningham
The Coast Guard commissioned the Cutter Earl Cunningham on August 11 in its homeport of Kodiak. It is the second of three fast response cutters that will be based there. The ship will operate in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and North Pacific Ocean.

“Commissioning the Cutter Earl Cunningham strengthens our ability to control, secure, and defend Alaska's U.S. border and maritime approaches, protect resources vital to our economic prosperity, and respond to crises throughout the Aleutian Islands,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “This crew will honor the heroic legacy and selfless devotion to duty exemplified by Petty Officer Cunningham in the years ahead."

The cutter is named for Petty Officer 2nd Class Earl Cunningham. In 1936, Cunningham died while trying to save two ice fishermen on Lake Michigan. He reached the men and pulled them from the water, but rough weather kept them from shore. Days later, one fisherman survived the trip over the ice. Cunningham and the other man did not. Cunningham was found still holding the oars of his rescue boat. He was awarded the Gold Life Saving Medal after his death.