Category Archives: bases

“The Long Blue Line: Charleston—over 230 years of Coast Guard service and growth in South Carolina!” –MyCG

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Coast Guard Base Charleston. The Base is moving from this location to the former Charleston Navy Base

MyCG has another in the Long Blue Line series, The Long Blue Line: Charleston—over 230 years of Coast Guard service and growth in South Carolina!

I have added it to my Heritage Page, but there was an interesting note in the next to last paragraph discussing the recent past and future of Base Charleston,

“In October 2015, the North Charleston cutter base was officially commissioned as Coast Guard Base Charleston with new National Security Cutters Hamilton and James replacing the old Gallatin and Dallas. The recently commissioned National Security Cutter Stone has joined its two sister cutters and future plans see the facility becoming a “super base” supporting two more NSCs, as well as units of the new medium-endurance class of Offshore Patrol Cutters and, possibly, one or two new Polar Security Cutters.” (Emphasis applied–Chuck)

We have begun to see indications of an intent to base icebreakers on the Atlantic side, but I had assumed these would be the Medium Icebreakers (Arctic Security Cutters). This may reflect an anticipation the Coast Guard will have more than three Polar Security Cutters.

When you realize that, in relationship to the Eastern Pacific Drug Transit Zone, Charleston is about 1,000 nautical miles closer than San Diego and about 1,400 nautical miles closer than Alameda, you can understand why the Coast Guard decided to base five Bertholf class NSCs there. Its why 4th Fleet, which is responsible for all of South America is an Atlantic Fleet Command.  Add to that the lower cost of living and it makes a lot of sense.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James arrives at its new homeport of Charleston, S.C. Aug. 28, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Melissa Leake)

“U.S. Coast Guard Continues to Expand Presence in the Western Pacific” –USNI

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August 26, JS OUMI conducted joint training with USCGC Munro in the East China Sea.

The US Naval Institute’s News Service reports on recent Coast Guard activity in the Western Pacific, apparently based primarily on a conversation with Vice Admiral Michael McAllister, Commander Pacific Area and Commander, Coast Guard Defense Force West.

They talk primarily about USCGC Munro’s operations with Japanese and Philippine forces. These included first time underway logistics support provided by the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, but there was more. They also discussed cooperation with the China Coast, but the Pacific Area Commander made one particular statement that may portend a new base in the Western Pacific,

“McAllister also provided an update on Coast Guard operations in the Pacific Islands since the July commissioning in Guam of Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) and Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143), and the re-designation of Coast Guard Sector Guam to Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam.” (emphasis applied–Chuck)

There would not seem to be a reason to apply the designation “Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam” unless there were Coast Guard forces in Micronesia somewhere beside Guam. Right now there are none that I am aware of.

I hope to publish something soon to discuss there those forces might be based.