WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, announced today that he will travel to the Arctic with Admiral Frank Caldwell, Director of the Naval Reactors, where he will board a Connecticut-made Los Angeles Class Submarine and learn firsthand about the important role the U.S. Navy plays in protecting the future of the Arctic and the security of the United States and our allies. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), U.S. Congressman Steve Womack (R-Ark.), and U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) will join Murphy on the trip. 

On Saturday, March 19th, Murphy will travel to Deadhorse, Alaska, before continuing on to U.S. Navy Ice Camp SARGO – a temporary station on top of a floating ice sheet in the Arctic. After landing at Ice Camp SARGO, Murphy, Admiral Caldwell, and the other members of Congress will board a Connecticut-made Los Angeles Class Submarine surfaced in the ice flow that is currently operating as part of Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2016, the Navy’s five-week exercise designed to assess the operational readiness of the submarine force while also continuing to advance scientific research in the arctic region. The officials will stay overnight on the submerged submarine and return to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, March 20th. 

“I can’t wait to spend two days on board a Connecticut-made, Connecticut-based submarine this weekend, getting to know the boat and the crew from Groton. Connecticut-made submarines are crucial to our undersea dominance, and working on board will put me in a much better position to advocate on their behalf,” said Murphy. “The bottom line is that the Arctic has become more and more important to our national security and to the security of our allies. As foreign governments continue to claim territory throughout the Arctic, and as global warming threatens to create new navigable pathways throughout the region, our submarines are the best and primary way by which we can protect our national security.”

“I’m always impressed with the skills and professionalism of our sailors. But if the Navy really wants to impress me, they’ll find a way to allow me to stream the UConn game hundreds of feet below the ocean surface,” Murphy quipped. 

Murphy will hold a press call on Monday, March 21st at 11:30am to discuss his trip. Call-in information will be distributed to press in the next few days.