Coast Guard Tracks Chinese Research Vessels Across Arctic Waters

U.S. Coast Guard crews have been monitoring Chinese research vessels operating in and around U.S. Arctic waters as border security remains a priority for the Trump administration. During a nearly four-month deployment with the Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) in the Coast Guard Arctic District, the cutter focused on controlling and defending the northernmost maritime approaches. Under Operation Frontier Sentinel, Munro monitored three Chinese-flagged research vessels to ensure compliance with international maritime law; by July, two were under observation. The patrol also included combined exercises with the Royal Canadian Navy and participation in Operation Tundra Merlin with U.S. and Canadian forces to test homeland defense architecture along northern corridors. Munro later returned after a 112-day Alaska patrol, covering more than 23,000 nautical miles.