Aviationweek.com has a quick overview of the proposed FY2014 budget. I’ll have more on this later, but I’m otherwise occupied right now.
Fiercehomelandsecurity.com has more on the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security as well.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
How many FRCs are already in service, 4? And, how many are already funded/under construction? With only 2 more funded, it looks like the 110s will continue soldiering on for longer than anticipated, so more maintenance, upgrades, etc. on assets which are getting replaced anyway… Not sure that’s wise money spent, but the CG has had to make-do many times before. (Just annoying when the entire CG budget is just a drop in the bucket compared to DOD/Navy budgets…) Seems like the extra 9 planned FRCs were going to fill some of the gap of 4 fewer OPCs (vs. the 29 WMECs).
For the most part, the rest of the budget seems good. Eagle, 140s, and 225s getting maintained, 7th NSC, aviation upgrades, icebreaker program, OPC program proceeding. Lot’s of cuts by decomming the 378s quicker and some other cuts, but overall, not seemingly bad. Ops seem to not be hit, although, this article is an “overview” and I jump to that conclusion based on the author not mentioning ops cuts. Hope that’s a safe assumption.
The full cut is a bit over 8%. The shipbuilding budget is up, the aviation acquisitions budget is down. There are several more FRCs in the pipeline. Last FY there were only 2 in the budget but four more were added by Congress, so it might happen again. (6/year is full rate)