ARCTIC OCEAN (Mar. 21, 2009) Members of the Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station clear ice from the hatch of the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) after the sub broke through the ice while participating in Ice Exercise 2009 in the Arctic Ocean. Annapolis and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) are participating in ICEX to operate and train in the challenging and unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 21, 2009) A lookout aboard the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) stands watch from the bridge after breaking through three feet of ice while participating in Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2009. Annapolis, along with USS Helena (SSN 725), is participating in ICEX 2009 to operate and train in the challenging and unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 21, 2009) Helmsmen Sonar Technician 3rd Class Zach Howe watches a depth gage aboard the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) during a stationary ascent through approximately three feet of ice in the Arctic Ocean. Annapolis and the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) are participating in ICEX 2009 to operate and train in the challenging and unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 22, 2009) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead speaks with Capt. Greg Ott, officer in tactical command of the Applied Physics Lab Ice Station while touring the camp in the Arctic Ocean during Ice Exercise 2009. ICEX is a two-week training exercise about 200 miles from the north coast of Alaska, near Prudhoe Bay. Two Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Helena (SSN 725) and USS Annapolis (SSN 760), will participate in the exercise with researchers from the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory and personnel from the Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 21, 2009) Crewmembers of the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) man the bridge watch after breaking through the ice during Ice Exercise (ICEX 2009) in the Arctic Ocean. Annapolis and the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) are participating in ICEX 2009 to operate and train in the challenging and unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 21, 2009) The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) breaks through three feet of ice while participating in Ice Exercise (ICEX 2009) in the Arctic Ocean. Annapolis and the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) are participating in ICEX 2009 to operate and train in the challenging and unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 20, 2009) Paul Aguilar of the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory works with Pete Pehl, a member of the Applied Physics Laboratory dive team, to recover a torpedo from under the ice while participating in Ice Exercise 2009. ICEX is a two-week training exercise about 200 miles from the north coast of Alaska, near Prudhoe Bay. Two Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Helena (SSN 725) and USS Annapolis (SSN 760), will participate in the exercise with researchers from the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory and personnel from the Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 21, 2009) The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) is on the surface of the Arctic Ocean after breaking through three feet of ice during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2009. Annapolis and the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) are participating in ICEX 2009. With the support from the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, ICEX 2009 enables the Submarine Force to operate and train in the challenging and unique environment that characterizes the Arctic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones.)

Focus on Defense:

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2009 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) visited Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2009 off of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on March 21-22.

Adm. Gary Roughead visited Sailors aboard USS Annapolis (SSN 760) and USS Helena (SSN 725), along with Navy civilians at the Applied Physics Lab Ice Station (APLIS), to get a firsthand look at the Navy's ICEX program. CNO spoke with Sailors and Navy civilians throughout his visit and said that the region is vital to the maritime strategy.

"The Arctic is important to the nation and the Navy because it really is a maritime domain. We have some very fundamental interests - security interests - in the Arctic region," Roughead said. "We've been here operating in this part of the world for a long time."

CNO said that the Arctic Ocean is a critical waterway for the Navy and training under the ice is necessary to maintain a working knowledge of a constantly evolving environment. Roughead stayed a night aboard USS Annapolis (SSN 760) and talked about the tough Arctic environment and its comprehensive effects on Navy operations.

"It gives us the opportunity to test our combat systems, our navigation systems, our communication systems and just what it's like to operate in this very challenging environment. By coming up here, being part of not just a Navy initiative but a scientific initiative, it really helps out not just the Navy but other communities as well," CNO said.

Roughead thanked the Sailors and Navy civilians and reminded them that what they do every day supports the U.S. Navy's mission around the globe.

"It's been an unbelievable experience being on Annapolis in the Arctic, under the ice with such a tremendous group of professionals. You make everyone in the Navy proud; you make everyone in our country proud, and I thank you for what you do," Roughead said.

ICEX 2009 gives the Navy's submarine force the opportunity to develop and hone their Arctic operational and warfighting skills in order to meet the challenges of the Arctic's unique operational environment. USS Annapolis and USS Helena are supported by contractors from the Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington (APL/UW) to conduct classified testing of submarine systems and Navy operational use in an Arctic environment.

(Report by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Rebekah Blowers, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs.)

Used with permission from Steve Moyer
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