Commandant of U.S. Coast Guard to discuss national security issues, Dec. 6

Adm. Karl L. Schultz, the 26th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, will speak about stepping up America's presence in the Arctic as a measure of national security at a National Press Club Headliners Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 12:30 p.m. in the Holeman Lounge.

Tickets cost $25 for Club members, who may purchase two at this rate, $39 for all other non-member and can be purchased online.

For years the U.S. Coast Guard has sought funding for a new heavy polar ship and expand America's polar icebreaker fleet to further access the Northwest Passage and expand opportunities in scientific exploration and trade. The U.S. currently has only two aging icebreaker vessels, compared with Russia's fleet of 41 ships.

Schultz, who assumed the top role on June 1, will speak to this issue and others during the luncheon. The Coast Guard is the principal federal agency responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and waterways. In this capacity the Coast Guard protects and defends more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways, and safeguards an Exclusive Economic Zone encompassing 4.5 million square miles stretching from North of the Arctic Circle to South of the equator, from Puerto Rico to Guam, encompassing nine time zones – the largest EEZ in the world.