U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757) sailing alongside the Coast Guard Administration patrol frigate Taipei (CG 5005). The location and date of the joint activity was not identified by U.S. or Taiwanese officials when released July 28, 2026. American Institute in Taiwan photo

US Naval Institute provides an interesting insight into USCGC Midgett’s last patrol into the Western Pacific.

Certainly, one of the largest ships in the US Coast Guard exercising with Taiwan is unusual, despite the existence of a prior agreement,

“In 2021, the USCG and CGA signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Coast Guard Working Group. According to a release at the time, the document created ‘a platform to institutionalize a dialogue mechanism to develop training curriculums, build cooperation plans and share information between Taiwan and the US.’”

The last paragraph may be a bit controversial,

“The [People’s Liberation Army] exercises around Taiwan in the last two years have demonstrated that maritime law enforcement will play a central role in the enforcement of a blockade,” said Lewis. “The capacity for the USCG and Taiwan CGA to cooperate under those conditions could be useful for coordinating a response.”