Official caption: Field technicians with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory prepare to remove ice from the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN-767) at Ice Camp Whale on the Beaufort Sea, Arctic Ocean, during Operation Ice Camp in March 2024.
USN Photo 240308-N-JO245-1316A Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Yarborough
One of the dwindling 688is left in operation, Hampton was commissioned in 1993 and is part of SubRon 11 out of San Diego.
Besides the Husqvarna seen above, the Navy and Coast Guard have often turned to four-legged huskies for work in the polar regions such as in the Great Alaska Overland Expedition in 1897 and Operation Deep Freeze.
For reference, Task Force 43 in the 1955-56 Deep Freeze expedition had no less than 28 such dogs as part of the crew– which sometimes required some extra fresh meat, harvested from local sources.
Period caption: “Ensign David E. Baker adjusts the sled harness of an Eskimo Husky on the training grounds for Antarctic-bound dogs at Wonalancet, New Hampshire, in addition to comfortable sled harness, the dogs will be rigged with “shoes” to protect their feet from the ice when they begin their trail rescue work in the land of the South Pole. They are part of Operation Deepfreeze and will sail in ships of Task Force 43.” Photograph released October 10, 1955. 330-PS-7528 (USN 681173):