USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) escorts motor vessel Stena Polaris through the ice-covered Ross Sea to McMurdo Station during Operation Deep Freeze 2026 [Image 2 of 18]

ANTARCTICA

01.21.2026

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Bokum 

U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Luc Bay, a student engineering officer aboard USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), views the frozen Ross Sea while the cutter escorts a fuel tanker to McMurdo Station, Jan. 21, 2026. Every year, a joint and total force team works together to ensure successful Operation Deep Freeze operations. Active, Guard, and Reserve service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy work together to forge a strong JTF-SFA that continues the proud tradition of U.S. military support to the United States Antarctic Program. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Bokum)

• Date Taken: 01.21.2026
• Date Posted: 01.29.2026 13:50
• Photo ID: 9498507
• VIRIN: 260121-G-FN033-1003
• Resolution: 8256x5504
• Size: 5.12 MB
• Location: AQ