The crew was the first to receive the new medal, which was created last year for missions sailing under Arctic ice.

The creation of the medal comes as the Navy has ramped up operations and exercises in the Arctic in recent years.

Capt. Henry Cho made history as the first U.S. Space Force Guardian to receive the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal by spending 21 freezing cold days in the Arctic aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ...

The Arctic Service Medal is awarded to Navy and Marine personnel who show “excellence and significant contributions to national security and maritime superiority in the Arctic region ...

The Arctic Service Medal’s official criteria states it is awarded to sailors and Marine Corps personnel assigned to a unit that takes part in an “ice-covered strait transit such as the Bering ...

-In addition to the PUC, the submarine earned the Arctic Service Medal, highlighting its role in maritime security and strategic operations.

According to the Navy, the Arctic Medal is awarded to service members assigned to a unit that conducted an ice-covered strait transit or a transit of the North Pole.

The Arctic Service Medal is awarded to members who serve in a Coast Guard mission north of the Arctic Circle. The minimum time requirement is 21 non-consecutive days.

The Virginia-class fast attack submarine Illinois moors to Arctic sea ice during ICEX 2022. (MC1 Alfred Coffield/Navy) The Navy is rolling out a Navy Arctic Service Medal this year, serving as an ...