U.S. Coast Guard begins arctic patrols.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: MILITARY - Brief article

AU.S. Coast Guard (USCG) C130 filled with media flew along the Arctic Coast on Aug. 7 to Barrow to experience USCG's Arctic Awareness program. Responding to the increasingly ice-free Northwest Passage and recent moves by several circumpolar countries to establish claims to Arctic resources, the USCG has begun aerial patrols along the coast. It is assessing the future need of a base for operations in the area, possibly in Barrow. The USCG also is on the lookout for foreign fishing vessels that trespass into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, as it performs other duties that include ensuring fishing vessels, domestic and foreign, follow regulations. Richard Glenn, vice president of Arctic Slope Regional Corp., said of the increased ocean traffic, "The number of ships coming through here of every flag...