District 17 is the home of Operation Arctic Guardian, which takes place in the Arctic Circle. The main purpose is to monitor the increasing amount maritime traffic on the open water ways due to the ice melting.

Some of the duties include patrols for illegal fishing, hunting of seals, and vessels in distress. This also affords our pilots an opportunity to train in some of the harshest conditions on the planet.

This operation is coordinated by the District 17 Commander and open to all vUSCG pilots with prior approval from their respective District Commanders.