WASHINGTON — The United States Coast Guard transitioned its Expeditionary Cutter Squadron (ECS), historically called Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), to operate in the Western Pacific conducting maritime security operations and cooperative maritime activities with allies and partner nations in the region, in response to national security requirements.
The Expeditionary Cutter Squadron will be capable of performing missions as part of the U.S. Joint Force. The squadron is currently operating in the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations to protect the homeland and maritime approaches including Guam and the Pacific Islands.
For more than 20 years, the Coast Guard has provided forward-deployed capabilities to support U.S. Central Command and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command from Bahrain. The unit has successfully executed maritime security, maritime interdiction, and maritime domain awareness missions throughout the Middle East.
“Coast Guard forces have always adapted to meet urgent national needs,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard. “The Expeditionary Cutter Squadron enhances the Coast Guard’s ability to deploy our forces in support of Combatant Commanders and national security objectives. Our expeditionary cutter forces provide Combatant Commands with uniquely capable maritime assets, leveraging the Coast Guard’s military and law enforcement authorities to advance U.S. national security objectives in the Western Pacific and Western Hemisphere.”
Expeditionary Cutter Squadron forces will integrate with U.S. Combatant Commands to conduct exercises and maritime cooperative activities that enhance interoperability, strengthen strategic partnerships and advance shared security objectives throughout the region. The transition of the Expeditionary Cutter Squadron reflects the Coast Guard’s intent to provide agile, capable, and responsive maritime forces. These forces will rapidly support national security objectives across a range of operational theaters while leveraging the Service’s unique authorities.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
IMHO an up-gunned version of the FRC should become a new grey-hulled U.S. Navy Fast Patrol Boat, and I would add a Mother Ship/Tender to the mix that serves other vessels as well. These Mother Ship/Tenders would move to a Pacific atoll and stage operations from there. Damaged vessels and ships requiring some attention would come to the atoll for attention. A movement plan from place to place would be in constant affect. The 2nd Island Chain is perfect for this kind of operation, and it could move to/around the Philippine Archipelago.
The fact the existing force is being reassigned rather than up gunned to help open the strait says to me we need something new. I have preferred having the Bollinger Lockport yard switch to another Damen hull. I would have said the 5009 FCS, but I might prefer a manned version of the Liberty MUSV Stan patrol 6009 hull.
We will have enough “Inshore patrol craft” although I think they should be better armed.
The speed of the FRCs is adequate. 24 knots is probably adequate. What we need are ships with greater endurance and better seakeeping. They also need organic aviation ISR in the form of UAS and possibly a helicopter.
That suggests something of at least 1300 tons and 80 meters in length.
Really would like to see something even larger with more wartime capability, but first we need the numbers, certainly more than 35 large patrol vessels currently planned.
Like the Damen 5009. Do not know how long it would take NAVSEA to turn them into a more heavily armed patrol boat. For a ready solution we could just use the Israeli SAAR designs which were made in the U.S. and designed with armament.
What a complete load of horse shit
The “national security requirement” that has them working out of Singapore is the desire to keep them from getting sunk in the Persian Gulf