The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the ice Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, about 715 miles north of Utqiaġvik, Alaska, in the Arctic.

Why is the US so far behind in the Arctic? Clues emerge at congressional hearing.

Retired Adm. Thad Allen, a former Coast Guard commandant, says the country needs to wake up to the strategic importance of the Arctic Ocean and commit more resources to the region.

KTOO