Navy Cancels Ice-Based Sub Exercise Off Alaska 1 Week Early After High Winds Break Up Pack

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(Reuters) - The U.S. Navy said on Monday it was dismantling a temporary ice camp used to support submarine exercises off the coast of Alaska a week early after cracks appeared in the ice and made it too risky to use airfields to ferry people and supplies.

"The rapidly changing conditions of the ice, along with extremely low temperatures and poor visibility have hampered helicopter operations and made sustaining the runway and camp too risky," the Navy division in charge of submarine forces said in a statement. It said all personnel at the camp were safe.

Navy officials said the instability of the ice underscored growing concern about the changing Arctic environment.

A breakdown of Camp Nautilus began on Sunday, the Navy said in the statement. The camp was due to continue supporting submarine exercises below the surface through March 30.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/24/usa-navy-arctic-idUSL1N0ML15G20140324

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