ARCTIC OCEAN — March 9, 2026 : The United States Navy has launched Operation ICE CAMP Boarfish, a major Arctic under-ice mission involving nuclear-powered attack submarines and a temporary command facility established directly on drifting sea ice. The operation began on March 7, 2026, and is scheduled to run for approximately three weeks.
The mission brings together U.S. naval forces, allied personnel, and specialized Arctic research organizations to conduct under-ice submarine operations and collect operational data in one of the most challenging maritime environments in the world. The exercise is coordinated by the U.S. Navy’s Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL) and supported by U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Submarines Deployed for Under-Ice Operations
Two nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines are participating in the operation: USS Delaware (SSN-791) and USS Santa Fe (SSN-763).
USS Delaware is a Virginia-class submarine, representing the newer generation of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarine fleet. The class is designed for multi-mission operations including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, strike operations, and surveillance. During ICE CAMP Boarfish, the submarine is conducting evaluations of its performance beneath Arctic sea ice, including stealth characteristics, endurance, acoustic awareness, and navigational precision in shifting ice conditions.
USS Santa Fe belongs to the Los Angeles-class, an earlier generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines that remains widely deployed in the fleet. Its participation provides a comparison between legacy and modern submarine platforms. By operating both classes simultaneously, the Navy can assess differences in crew procedures, mission adaptability, and operational effectiveness during under-ice deployments.
Naval planners say this approach allows readiness assessments across a broader portion of the submarine force rather than focusing on a single submarine class.
Temporary Ice Camp Serves as Command Center
A temporary base known as ICE CAMP Boarfish has been constructed on a drifting Arctic ice floe to support the operation. The camp functions as a forward command and logistics hub, housing personnel, communication systems, shelters, and support infrastructure required for sustained Arctic operations.
Establishing a command facility directly on sea ice requires complex logistical planning. The camp provides coordination for submarine operations beneath the ice while enabling personnel to conduct monitoring, communications, and operational support activities.
According to Capt. David Nichols, the officer responsible for tactical control during the mission, building a functioning base on moving sea ice presents unique operational challenges but provides valuable experience for Arctic deployments.
Multinational Participation
The operation includes personnel and technical participation from several allied and partner nations. In addition to the United States Navy, participants include representatives from:
- Royal Australian Navy
- Royal Canadian Navy
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- French Navy
- Royal Navy of the United Kingdom
Scientific and research organizations are also involved, including the Norwegian Defence Research Institute and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.
Within the United States, the operation includes participation from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Air National Guard, supporting logistics and Arctic operations alongside the Navy.
Transition From Exercise to Operational Status
Originally categorized as a training exercise, ICE CAMP Boarfish was recently designated an official military operation. U.S. naval officials said the change reflects the growing strategic importance of Arctic capabilities and the need for sustained operational readiness in the region.
The shift aligns with the U.S. Department of Defense Arctic Strategy released in 2024, which emphasizes maintaining access to the Arctic as sea ice diminishes and maritime activity increases.
The strategy identifies expanding military and economic activity by Russia and China as factors shaping the evolving security environment in the High North.
Milestone for the U.S. Submarine Force
Operation ICE CAMP Boarfish also marks the 100th Arctic under-ice evolution conducted by the U.S. Submarine Force.
The operation’s name honors the USS Boarfish (SS-327), a Balao-class submarine that played a role in early Arctic submarine exploration after World War II. In 1947, Boarfish served as the flagship vessel during Operation Blue Nose, which conducted one of the first submarine explorations beneath the polar ice cap. That mission demonstrated the feasibility of extended navigation under Arctic ice using new sonar technologies.
Objectives of the Mission
During the three-week deployment, the submarines and supporting teams are conducting operational testing focused on real-world Arctic conditions. The activities include navigation beneath moving ice cover, evaluation of acoustic environments unique to the Arctic Ocean, and sustained submarine operations in extremely cold and remote conditions.
The mission is designed to generate operational data on submarine performance and support the development of procedures for future Arctic deployments.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command has not released detailed information about specific tactical activities conducted during the mission. However, officials say the operation is intended to improve submarine readiness and maintain operational access to the Arctic region.
USS Delaware and USS Santa Fe remain deployed beneath the Arctic ice as the mission continues through the remainder of the planned three-week operational period.
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