Arctic was built by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California.

Since decommissioning on 14 June 2002, Arctic has been operated by the Military Sealift Command, homeported in Earle, New Jersey.

Like other fast combat support ships, she is part of MSC's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force.

On October 22, 2009 a United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment crashed into the ship during a joint training exercise involving fast roping about 20 miles (32 km) off Fort Story, Virginia.

The crash killed a soldier, Staff Sergeant James R. Stright, 29, and injured eight other service members.