The February issue of the US Naval Institute Proceedings has three articles of particular interest to the Coast Guard. Two are available to non-members
- “Shift the Coast Guard to the DOD,” by Jim Dolbow and Captain Jim Howe, USCG (ret.)
- “America’s Arctic Imperative,” by former Commandant, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. (ret.)
The third is behind the membership firewall.
“The Coast Guard Needs More Than Another Icebreaker,” by LCdr. Shawn Lansing, USCG
Recently Proceedings has added a new feature, “World’s Coast Guard” again by Jim Dolbow. The February issue looks at the revival of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. This is also behind the membership firewall.
(Jim Dolbow is a Coast Guard reservist and was editor of the Coast Guardsman’s Manual, 10th edition, published by the Naval Institute Press. On a personal note, he also encouraged me to get into blogging.)
What is the thrust of LCdr. Shawn Lansing, USCG’s article? Thetis class like ships (that ice-strengthened cutters)? More aircraft? More unmanned platforms?
He is saying we need more infrastructure in the Arctic. He seemed to be advocating a base/airstation at Nome.
The National Guard is DoD, but under state control during peace time. Why can’t the coast guard.
The DoD would/Should control the Coast Guards Budget, but they would still be under DHS during peace time. And the Commadant would take his rightful place among the joint chiefs. more so than the head of the National Guard.
Realistically the National Guard should be DHS, but nobody has ever brought that up.
You would almost have to do it so that no matter how much the navy’s budget is the USCG would legally get a certain percentage. Which would still be way more than what we are getting now. USCG = Small surface combatants, maritime security/Enforcement
Navy = Power Projection.
and there will be overlaps in capabilities which is a good thing not a bad.
The Coast Guard has become the low end in the US’s naval high/low mix.
Low end doesn’t mean low capability, or quality. It’s the right tool for the right job, in the right quantity.
FFG-7’s were the low end
F-16’s were the low end.
SC-130J would be the low end compared to the P-8 ASW/Spy plane.
I think that is what people need to realize.
The Navy has only 13 Patrol Craft and they are going away. We 22 Webber class and will have 58 in six to nine years..
Thanks for the blogging about the February issue of Proceedings! I am so glad you are a blogger!!!