231024-A-LS473-1027 ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 24, 2023) U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) sails in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 24. Glen Harris operates in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Hunter)

Below is a NAVCENT/5th Fleet News release.

The accompanying photo of USCGC Glen Harris is particularly good. The additional equipment mounted only on PATFORSWA FRCs is clearly visible on the mast, as are the Long-Range Audio Devices. On the aft starboard corner of the O-1 (bridge) deck, a Mk19 Mod3 grenade launcher Machine Gun is visible. The Mk19 Mod3 has an airburst round so may be effective against UAS (drones) at short range. I have heard that the 25×137mm M242 gun in their Mk38 Mod2 or 3 mounts has been replaced by a 30×173mm Mk44 which also has an air burst round, but I have seen no additional evidence this is the case.

231024-A-LS473-1027 (cropped) ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 24, 2023) USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) sails in the Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Hunter)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS —

The boarding team discovered and seized 5,316.1 kilograms of hashish, 181.4 kilograms of heroin and 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine and, after documenting and weighing the illicit haul, properly disposed of it. Total estimated market value of the narcotics is $4.6 million.

Glen Harris was supporting a Task Force (TF) 51/5 mission at the time of the seizure.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Lightfoot, commanding general of TF 51/5, said operations such as these help maintain freedom of the seas and is part of a larger effort with partner nations in the region.

“The collaboration between our Coast Guardsmen, Marines and Sailors is outstanding,” Lightfoot said. “I’m proud of our interoperability. We are disrupting criminal acts at sea and keeping over five tons of narcotics from hurting more people.”

“Glen Harris is one of six U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters performing maritime security operations throughout the region,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Patrick Murphy, commodore of TF 55, also known as Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50, which has tactical control of Glen Harris. “The U.S. Coast Guard brings expertise and flexibility to the wide range of missions we execute.”

Glen Harris is forward deployed to Bahrain as part of a Patrol Forces Southwest Asia under tactical control of TF 55, consisting of surface forces, including U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats and independently deployed ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Task Force 51/5 executes operations, responds to contingencies and crises, and conducts theater security cooperation at sea, from the sea and ashore in support of U.S. Central Command, 5th Fleet and Marine Forces, Central Command theater objectives.