Just Security has an examination of the various authorities at work in the application of blockades as used in conjunction with the conflict with Iran.
Since boardings are Coast Guard’s bread and butter, you may find it interesting.
They also have a look at the Coast Guard’s peacetime authorities here, “Maritime Law Enforcement on the High Seas: Authority, Jurisdiction, and the Seizure of The Skipper.“
U.S. Coast Guard Diver 2nd Class Connor Madsen, Regional Dive Locker West, cuts line, freeing a bundled chain to hook it onto a sunken buoy during a training exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy Underwater Construction Team divers off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, July 18, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel participated in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 was the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathleen Gorby)
Below is a Coast Guard headquarters news release. It is not clear if this portends any relocation or consolidation of the various special teams which have previously worked for the Area Commanders.
WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard is standing up the Special Missions Command to oversee its deployable specialized forces. The command will enhance the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard in responding to a wide range of national emergencies and events as the demand for deployable specialized forces capabilities increase.
The Coast Guard selected the existing Coast Guard C5I Service Center facility in Kearneysville, West Virginia, as the future site of the Coast Guard’s Special Missions Command (SMC). The SMC will be commissioned on or around October 1, 2026, fully integrating the Service’s Deployable Special Forces under a single operational commander to provide oversight and advocacy, improve readiness, mission effectiveness, and interoperability to meet Service, Department, and joint military requirements.
“The creation of the Special Missions Command is a vital evolution for our service,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard. “We are forging our most elite operators into a single, razor-sharp instrument of national power. The Special Missions Command is not an administrative change; it is an investment ensuring these elite teams are the best trained, equipped, and organized force possible, ready to protect the Homeland and support the Joint Force.”
The Special Missions will include the following units:
“The geo-political landscape is evolving and the demand for Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces is at an all-time high,” said Capt. Robert Berry, Special Missions Command pre-commissioning team lead. “These forces are instrumental to the Coast Guard’s readiness and its role as a global leader in maritime contingency response. The Service has always turned to its specialized forces to respond to national threats and disasters, and establishing this command is the natural next step to enabling our forces to lead the way at the tip of the spear.”
Additional units, capabilities and functions may be incorporated into the Special Missions Command in the future. Currently, the administrative and operational control of specialized forces units is shared between the Coast Guard’s two Area commanders. The Coast Guard is evolving to become a stronger, more capable and responsive fighting force in responding to threats presented by emerging technologies, intensified border security activities, large-scale contingencies and national special security events.
For media inquiries contact mediarelations@uscg.mil.
181206-N-N0101-028
MARINETTE, Wis. (Dec. 6, 2018) The future littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) conducts acceptance trials on Lake Michigan, Dec. 6, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Marinette Marine/Released)
Below is a District SE news release. Nice to see the Navy helping the Coast Guard with drug enforcement again.
After the last FFG-7 class frigates were decommissioned in 2015 it seemed logical that LCS would be used for drug enforcement. All the Freedom class LCS (those with odd hull numbers) are based in Mayport, FL, relatively near the drug transit zones, even those in the Eastern Pacific. Essentially it did not happen.
It appears the Navy has decided to retain 11 Freedom class LCS to provide “presence.” Given the new National Strategy’s emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, that presence might best be in the drug transit zones working for the Forth Fleet through the Joint Interagency Task Force. They should be able to keep three on patrol.
Haitian National Police members inspect interdicted drugs following a drug interdiction off Haiti, May 3, 2026. At the behest of the Haitian government, a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment deployed on the USS Billings stopped a suspected drug vessel carrying approximately 3,200 pounds of marijuana. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Southeast Public Affairs – 206-815-6903
MIAMI – A Coast Guard law enforcement detachment deployed on the USS Billings stopped a suspected drug smuggling vessel, Thursday, approximately 8 miles off Mole Saint-Nicolas, Haiti.
With the permission of the Haitian government, the boarding team’s investigation resulted in approximately 3,200 pounds of marijuana being found, worth approximately $3.8 million, and one person was detained. The contraband and suspected smuggler were transferred to Haitian authorities, Sunday.
“In close coordination with the Haitian government, the U.S. Coast Guard remains steadfast in our shared mission to safeguard the maritime approaches of the Caribbean,” said Lt. Cmdr. Cory Arsenault, the Coast Guard liaison officer for Haiti. “Together, we are strengthening joint operations to disrupt the illegal flow of narcotics, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold the security and stability of the region. Our partnership reflects a continued commitment to collaboration, vigilance, and the rule of law.”
The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:
80% of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea. This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting American communities from this deadly threat. Detecting and interdicting illicit drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. Joint Interagency Task Force South, in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once an interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard for the interdiction and apprehension phases. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard Southeast District, headquartered in Miami.
I have long felt like the emergence of unmanned surface vessels as warships might lead to weapons and sensors that would also fit nicely on Coast Guard cutters including containerized systems.
TSUNAMI USV fitted with STAKE (Invariant Technologies picture) The launcher is probably only a little longer than the APKWS guided rocket which is 73.8 in (1.87 m) in length so I would estimate this boat is about 24 feet in length. Textron TSUNAMI® USVs range in length from 21 to 38 feet in length.
The need to have a counter to unmanned air and surface systems has been getting a lot of attention lately. Even the Coast Guard has been questioned about this.
The Coast Guard says they are working on it.
So far the counters I have heard the Coast Guard is deploying seem to be primarily intended to interrupt the control link of small commercial drones. Other than machine guns, I haven’t seen any hard kill systems that can deal with larger UASs and USVs including those that might be autonomous.
Potential targets range from consumer drones with a few ounces of explosives to modified personal watercraft or even general aviation aircraft carrying hundreds of pounds.
Using something like a .50 caliber machine gun in a US port is problematic both in terms of accuracy and in the danger of potential collateral damage.
Below are two press releases from Invariant discussing their APKWS based cUAS system, similar to the Vampire system.
From the moment I first saw APKWS, in 2017, I considered it an almost perfect weapon for the Coast Guard because it is cheap enough for wide distribution; it is accurate enough to minimize the likelihood of collateral damage, it has adequate range so that cutters don’t have to be so close improvised armaments can pick off our weapons operators, it is light enough to fit on even the smallest cutters, training requirements appear minimal, and the warhead is large enough to do serious damage to larger targets particularly if multiple hits are made.
Feb 18, 2026
(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) Invariant Corporation’s Surface-to-Air Kinetic Engagement (STAKE) system has once again demonstrated a significant advancement in autonomous maritime Counter Unmanned Systems (C-UxS) capabilities. Earlier this month, STAKE was integrated onto a Textron Systems’ TSUNAMIR Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) and performed early integration testing at Lake Guntersville.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the application of APKWS in the maritime domain. The success of the demonstration highlights the STAKE system’s versatility and performance in a highly dynamic, complex environment as well as Invariant’s C-UxS team’s commitment to advancing autonomous weapons development. STAKE, a modular system, can be integrated onto a variety of vehicles with minimal engineering.
STAKE’s maritime payloads consist of two core subsystems: the Hunter, which houses the sensor and laser designation package responsible for acquiring and tracking targets, and the Killer, the precision engagement platform. Together, as previously shown, the Hunter and Killer subsystems operate seamlessly in the maritime setting, confirming the system’s readiness for shipboard C-UxS mission, no matter the size.
“This successful demonstration represents a significant development and reflects Invariant’s position at the forefront of C-UxS innovation as well as kinetic maritime autonomy,” says President Danny Levis. “We are committed to advancing adaptable, high-performance systems that align with the Department of War’s objective to enhance lethality, especially in the maritime domain”.
For more information about Invariant Corporation, visit www.invariant-corp.com.
Aug 26, 2025
With a career spanning in explosives, missile defense, and tactical ground systems, James made the deliberate choice to go deep, not wide. “I wanted to zero in on a single domain and become the expert,” he says. That domain? Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UxS).
Agility Over Legacy
For James, the most dangerous assumption in modern defense planning is that yesterday’s acquisition timelines still apply. “We used to develop a system over five years and support it for 20. But when the fight changes daily, our tech has to change daily too.”
“We’re not just building a product,” James says. “We’re building a process that evolves with the fight.”
C-UxS as a Forever Fight
What’s Next for STAKE
U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USC Midgett (WMSL 757), right, Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701), left, and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) steam in formation during the group sail exercise for Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the South China Sea, April 24, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Manuel
“Exercise Balikatan is the largest annual bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the United States, and this year will include Australia, Japan, France, Canada, and New Zealand. The Tagalog phrase “Balikatan” means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” which captures the spirit of the exercise and the close friendship between the United States and the Philippines. Taking place April 20 to May 8, 2026, across the Philippine archipelago, Balikatan 2026 (BK26) marks the 41st iteration of the exercise that covers a range of scenarios – from conventional warfare to foreign disaster response – ensuring all participants remain prepared for a range of contingencies. The execution of BK26 enhances planning, command and control systems, logistics, and communication through realistic simulations and war-gaming. The exercise directly supports ongoing efforts to operationalize the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) by ensuring tactical proficiency, interoperability, capability development, and improved military-to-military coordination between our forces. The exercise also demonstrates our long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” —https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Balikatan
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WSML 751) crew members reunite with family, friends and loved ones after returning to their Base Alameda, California, home port, Aug. 11, 2024, following a 120-day Indo-Pacific patrol. The Waesche participated in various engagements, exercises, and events throughout their deployment. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Matthew Masaschi.
President Donald Trump signed a bill Thursday to fund the Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard, after a 76-day partial government shutdown.
The signing came hours after the House passed Senate-approved legislation to fund the department. The bill funds DHS agencies that are not involved in Trump’s immigration crackdown through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
This could have happened months ago if Coast Guard funding had not been tied to non-Coast Guard programs.
The Coast Guard has broad bi-partisan support. The Coast Guard should be an independent agency since no single department covers all eleven Coast Guard missions. Department heads and members of Congress should not be allowed to leverage support for the Coast Guard to support non-Coast Guard programs.
SAFE Boats International delivered its Response Boat-Small demonstration to the U.S. Coast guard. Photo credit: SAFE Boats International
The Navy League magazine, Seapower, reports,
SAFE Boats International, a U.S. manufacturer of high-performance aluminum vessels, announced the successful delivery of its Response Boat–Small (RB-S) demonstrator unit to the U.S. Coast Guard in Charleston, South Carolina.
Dimensions/Speed:
The article goes on to describe the features of the boat. Very impressive.
Below is a CG HQ news release:
The Tampa story linked here and at the bottom of the news release is well done and quite extensive.
Previous Tampa related posts:
April 29, 2026
WASHINGTON – The wreckage of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa has been located and confirmed by the British technical-diving team Gasperados. The site lies approximately 50 miles off Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom, at a depth exceeding 300 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean.
Tampa was lost in 1918 during World War I after being torpedoed by a German submarine in the Bristol Channel. The vessel sank in less than three minutes, resulting in the death of all 131 people aboard—111 Coast Guardsmen, four U.S. Navy personnel, and 16 British Navy personnel and civilians. This remains the largest single American naval combat loss of life in World War I.
“Since 1790, the Coast Guard has defended our nation during every armed conflict in American history, a legacy reflected in the courage and sacrifice of the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Tampa,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. “When the Tampa was lost with all hands in 1918, it left an enduring grief in our service. Locating the wreck connects us to their sacrifice and reminds us that devotion to duty endures. We will always remember them. We are proud to carry their spirit forward in defense of the United States.”
In 2023, the Coast Guard Historians Office was contacted by the Gasperados Dive Team regarding the Tampa. Over the past three years, the all-volunteer team conducted an extensive search for the wreckage.
“We provided the dive team with historical records and technical data to assist in confirming the wreck site,” said Dr. William Thiesen, Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian. “This included the archival images of the deck fittings, ship’s wheel, bell , weaponry, and archival images of the Tampa.”
The Coast Guard is now developing plans for underwater research and exploration in coordination with its offices of specialized capabilities, historians, cutter forces, robotics and autonomous systems, and dive locker.
Additional information about the Tampa’s legacy can be found here.
We talked about this project with a post May 31, 2023. As you can see reading the flyer above, these ships are still a long way from being finished, but I think Canada may be recognizing a need to speed things up. They have more than adequate shipbuilding capacity.
I think they are interesting ships with a design that might be useful as a Coast Guard cutter capable of operating in ice with a WMEC sized crew.
190729-N-AD499-1166 SEATTLE (July 29, 2019) The Royal Canadian Navy Kingston-class coastal defence vessel HMCS Edmonton (MM 703) participates in a parade of ships in Elliott Bay during the 70th annual Seattle Fleet Week. Seattle Fleet Week 2019 is a time-honored celebration of the sea services and provides an opportunity for the citizens of Washington to meet Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Foley/Released)
Canadian Coast Guard cutters are not armed and they do not have large patrol ships. The Canadian Navy fills this role. These ships are to replace the 12 Kingston class Coastal Defence Vessels (Brits and Canadians spell defense with a c). We routinely saw Kingston class doing drug enforcement in the Caribbean. Eight of the class have already been decommissioned. To some extent these were replaced by the five ships of the Harry DeWolf class.
HMCS Margaret Brooke is finishing warm weather trials on the ships cooling systems. HMCS Harry DeWolf is finishing a Op Caribbe with the USCG.
The Kingston class are smaller and less capable than the WMEC 210. The Vigilance class began as a replacement but have grown into something that promises Halifax class like capabilities.
Manning Requirements:
The Canadian Navy is much smaller than the US Coast Guard and is having a much more serious recruitment problem.
Officially, the RCN consisted of 7,700 Regular Force and 4,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians.
The “effective strength” of the RCN is somewhat lower than official numbers would suggest due to serious personnel shortages. In late 2023, the commander of the RCN, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, reported that only 6,226 naval personnel could be considered part of the “effective strength” of the RCN, making numerous ships in the RCN inactive due to both crew shortages and broader operational readiness issues. In late 2025, Vice-Admiral Topshee stated that the Navy’s personnel problem had not been solved and remained dire, while the Auditor General of Canada reported deeper systemic problems with Canadian military recruitment. In early 2026, Rear Admiral David Patchell, the commander of Canadian naval forces in the Pacific, reported that the navy was short about 2,000 personnel, or about one-quarter of its authorized strength in early 2024 it was reported that 54 percent of the navy’s frigates, submarines, arctic and offshore patrol ships, and maritime coastal defence vessels were considered “unserviceable”
Canada probably does not want to build ships it may not be able to man.
Canada’s most numerous surface combatants are the 12 ships of the Halifax class each of which has a crew of 225 or 2700 total equalling 35% of the “Regular Force.” These ships are now 30 to 34 years old so they must be replaced.
A guide to the future Canadian Surface Combatant – the River-class destroyers https://www.navylookout.com/a-guide-to-the-future-canadian-surface-combatant-the-river-class-destroyers/
Canada plans to replace the Halifax class and the four already decommissioned Iroquois Class Destroyers (which had a crew of 280 each) with up to 15 River class but that would require a total complement of 3,150. The River Class are about twice the size of the Halifax class. Three were ordered 3 March 2025, but none are expected to be completed until 2030.
The River Class is the Canadian version of the Royal Navy’s type 26 frigate, a design also being used by Australia and most recently Norway. The Royal Navy had originally intended to build 13 but that has been cut to eight.
Australia had planned to build nine but that has been cut to six. They now planned to build a class of “tier 2” frigates, improved Japanese designed Mogami class.
I would not be surprised to see Canada cut the number as well, in fact I would be surprised if the did in fact build 15 since that would require a total complement for the totaling 3150 billets.
A Fleet with the Same Manpower:
Canada is replacing a fleet that in 2000 included 28 patrol or escort ships, four Iroquois class, twelve Halifax class, and twelve Kingston class. That required manning to 4264 billets:
As of now the Canadian Navy includes 21 patrol or escort ships, twelve Halifax class, five Harry DeWolf arctic offshore patrol ships, and four Kingston class. That fleet requires 3173 billets:
How could they provide 28 ships with no essentially no more billets than they have right now? The new fleet could include:
This would provide a total of 23 combatants with up to 408 VLS. Of course this will stretch over many years and if recruitment improves and the Royal Canadian Navy increases in size, it would be possible to replace some of the Vigilance class with additional River class.
Alternatives:
I was surprised that the Canadians would build a combatant with a potential ASW mission that could not hangar a helicopter. Maybe they should look at the Finnish Pohjanmaa class, which has an even smaller complement.
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