Homeland security cutter-light concept rendering.

Below is a news release from the Assistant Commandant for Acquisirtions (CG-9).

July 1, 2026 —The Coast Guard released a request for proposal (RFP) June 30 for design, production, testing and delivery of homeland security cutter-light (HSC-L) vessels. The Coast Guard plans to acquire seven HSC-Ls through an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.

The RFP is available here. Proposals are due by July 14, 2026.

The Coast Guard’s aging fleet of 65-foot light icebreaking tugs was commissioned into service between 1961-1967 and is well beyond its planned end of service life. The HSC-Ls will replace these critical assets with a dual-capability platform, maintaining year-round access to smaller ports and harbors. The HSC-Ls will be designed to operate efficiently in a variety of ice conditions and will be equipped with aids to navigation capabilities, providing safe passage and navigation for vessels of all sizes.

The Coast Guard plans to use a two-phase process for evaluation of industry proposals received through this RFP. Following receipt of Phase 1 proposals, the service intends to issue advisory down-select notices to select offerors. Phase 2 proposal due dates will be included in a subsequent solicitation amendment.

For more information: Homeland Security Cutter-Icebreaker page

Below is a 7th Fleet news release.

Pictured immediately below is the Japan Coast Guard cutter USCGC Midgett exercised with.

JCG Yumihari (PLH-44), JCG Shunko-class patrol vessel

A second report of the exercise here from Helis.com. (Also source of the photo at the head of the post.)

Japan Coast Guard Airbus H225 Super Puma helicopter,

U.S., Japanese forces conduct Pacific Atlas 26-1

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

Sea Waves reports,

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Coast Guard conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, June 27-28, 2026. This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

As the eighth MCA of 2026, this exercise was designed to expand capabilities at sea by incorporating and refining shared Coast Guard law enforcement tactics, specialized procedures, and maritime doctrines. The two-day exercise included series of interoperability activities including a search and rescue exercise, maritime domain awareness activity, and division tactics.

WarshipCam -Official
March 29 at 4:49 PM
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All six Bahrain-based USCG Sentinel-class cutters eastbound in the Singapore Straits – USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141),USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC-1142), USCGC Glen Harris (WPC-1144), USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145), USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC-1146) & USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC-1147) – March 2026 SRC: X-@StraitsSights

Participating units included U.S. Coast Guard PATFORSWA fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), normally home-ported in Bahrain,

Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG 15) sails during part of the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, June 27, 2026. US Coast Guard photo.

South Korean built Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG 15),

USCGC Waesche accompanies the PCG’s Melchora Aquino during a search-and-rescue exercise in the South China Sea in July 2024. (USCG)

and Japanese built Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua-class BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702),

BRP Capones in Davao Gulf. Photo credit Philippine Information Agency

and the 44 meter BRP Capones (MRRV 4404).

This does at least tell us what some of the PATFORSWA cutters are doing since they left Bahrain as a result of the war with Iran.

Service members assigned to the Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor pose for a photo with Royal Marines, assigned to the 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, on the waters of the Puget Sound, Wash., Nov. 4, 2025.

Department of War posted a story about Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor, which provides protection for Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines, during their surface transits to and from their base.

Two Coast Guard special purpose craft-screening vessels, assigned to the Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor, transit the waters off Port Angeles, Wash., March 18, 2025. 

Note the .50 caliber machine guns in remote weapon station mounts which provide augmented vision as well as a stabilized weapon with the operator out of sight.

We have talked about these units before (see below), but it has been quite a while. The post includes photos of a Coast Guard WPCs and a helicopter apparently escorting an SSBN. These are not part of the full time single mission Force Protection Unit but were apparently operating in cooperation with them.

USCGC Florence Finch sails alongside the ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine as it transits the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the Washington CoastCoast, March 18, 2025.

There was one statement that particularly caught my attention, “…the MFPU mission has given Cifelli the chance to experience a wide variety of weapons systems within his rating, from small arms to the .50-caliber machine gun and even new systems designed to counter emerging threats.” I am guessing this refers to counter UAS systems.

Previous posts on the subject

• Force Protection Unit “Coast Guard cutters Sea Dog, Sea Dragon decommissioned in St. Marys, Georgia” –News Release, May, 2024
• Navy buying boats for the Coast Guard, February, 2021
• CG Maritime Force Protection Units, October, 2012

Thanks to Paul for bringing this to my attention. 

It has been almost three years since I posted, “Why Russia Should be Worried, ARCTIC PRC’s 13th Arctic expedition creating concerns for Russia” –The Watch.” Now the we have another clear explanation of why China may attempt to recover territory handed over to Russia under the “unequal treaties” in 1858/1860, “If China recovers Russian Far East coast, it will suddenly outflank island chain,” which appeared in “The Strategist” an on-line magazine of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

This new post primarily suggests this development would make it more difficult to track Chinese submarines. (China has overtaken Russia and the US to become the largest builder of submarines in the world.) In addition, it provides additional reasons why China would want to do this.

MyCG has an interesting report on a relatively new organizational component charged with rapidly bringing proven technology to operational units, the Rapid Response Prototype Team, CG-RAPTOR.

I like the fact that they seem to be frequently taking a bottom up approach, implementing ideas from the field.

Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean is moored at U.S. Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Florida, June 26, 2026. Cutter Ocean will serve as the first vessel contracted in a new initiative using commercial vessels to transport supplies, equipment and personnel to Coast Guard cutters operating in the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and other maritime areas in the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Reese Hindmarsh)

gCaptain reports,

“The U.S. Coast Guard is turning to the commercial offshore industry to strengthen logistics support for its cutter fleet, awarding a contract to Louisiana-based Bordelon Marine for the Connor Bordelon, a commercial offshore support vessel that will operate under the designation Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean (HSC-Ocean).

“The vessel will transport supplies, equipment, and personnel to Coast Guard cutters operating throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and other maritime areas across the Western Hemisphere as part of the Coast Guard’s new HSC-Ocean initiative.”

I do feel a bit uncomfortable with calling this a cutter. That implies this is a Coast Guard cutter, but operating with a civilian crew it will have none of the law enforcement authorities of a Coast Guard cutter.

Thanks to Patrick for bringing this to my attention, 

Change is coming to the Canadian Coast Guard since it was “transferred from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada to the National Defence on September 2, 2025. It remains a civilian Special Operating Agency.”

Perhaps most importantly,

On April 1, 2026, the Government of Canada’s civilian aircraft services and assets were transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard, giving the agency operational control of the civilian aerial fleet, meaning greater capacity to support its growing role in maritime security.

But of course there is more. Check it out.

Below is a news release.

June 22, 2026

UPDATE: Coast Guard responds to Coast Guard helicopter crash in Sitka, Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska — The four Coast Guard crew members involved in a helicopter crash in Sitka, Alaska, Monday, are reported safe with non-serious injuries.

Watch standers at the Arctic District command center received the initial report of the crash through the activation of the aircrew’s personal locator beacon at approximately 10:07 a.m.

Sitka Fire and Rescue arrived on scene at approximately 11:00 a.m. and transported the crew members to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.

“We are incredibly relieved our crew members survived with only minor injuries,” said Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard’s Arctic District. “We are grateful for the swift response by the Sitka Fire and Rescue who assisted us during this critical time.”

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak is repositioning a helicopter and crews to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka to augment and maintain operational readiness in the Southeast Alaska region.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

A computer-generated image shows Coast Guard housing units delivered through the Nemetz Park housing project at Base Kodiak, Alaska. In May 2026, the Coast Guard ordered construction of 30 additional housing units and a child development center to support families assigned to base units. (U.S. Coast Guard image)

The Navy Leagues on line magazine, Seapower, reports,

“The Coast Guard awarded two task orders in May 2026 to the Tutor Perini Corporation to construct 30 additional housing units, a child development center and other infrastructure improvements at Base Kodiak.

“Both task orders were issued under the National Multiple Award Construction Contract III. The first task order, valued at $81.8 million, constructs 15 family housing duplexes, featuring 20 three-bedroom and 10 four-bedroom units. The second task order, valued at $61.6 million, supports construction of a 22,000-square-foot child development center and an 11,000-square-foot outdoor play area. Construction of both task order projects is expected to finish in 2028.”