U.S. Sen. Murphy Spends Weekend On Submarine In The Arctic

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined the Groton-based crew of a Connecticut-built submarine for a trek to the Arctic this past weekend.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy poses with a UConn Husky while on a trip to the Arctic.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy with the Chief of the Boat Josh Williams, from Plainfield.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's sleeping arrangements were less than spacious, aboard the USS Hartford.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

Rachel Martin

03/23/2016 2:00 p.m.

During the trip, Murphy learned firsthand from the crew 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.

Other passengers included Adm. Frank Caldwell, director of the naval reactors; U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.); and U.S. Reps. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.).

On Saturday, March 19, Murphy traveled 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 that landing, Murphy, Caldwell, and the other members of Congress boarded the USS Hartford.

The officials stayed overnight on the submerged submarine and returned to Washington, D.C., on Sunday, March 20.

The submarine is currently operating as part of Ice Exercise 2016, the Navy's five-week exercise designed to assess the operational readiness of the submarine force and advance scientific research in the Arctic region.

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