Armed forces stand aboard the Turkish oil tanker El Hiblu 1 in Malta on Thursday.Rene’ Rossignaud / AP

NBC is reporting that Maltese Special Forces have retaken a Turkish tanker that had been hijacked by migrants among 120 rescued by the tanker.

Probably some meaningful lessons to be learned from this operation.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Junior Grade Shane Gunderson and Investigative Service agent Bobby Brisby deliver relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

DefenseNews is reporting that a $13.45B disaster relief aid package would include $2B for the military with $526M going to the Coast Guard.

“For the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, there is $526 million to repair and upgrade facilities damaged by recent disasters, and provide for response and recovery operations costs.”

Since the recent string of disasters has inflicted a double whammy on the Coast Guard, both raising operating costs and damaging infrastructure, passage of the bill would be most welcomed. Something to watch.

Below you will find the contents of ALCOAST 095/19. Hopefully there are some opinions among this blogs readership.

R 271231 MAR 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05700//
ALCOAST 095/19
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE’S 2019 COAST GUARD ESSAY CONTEST
A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5700.13 (series)

1. This ALCOAST announces the U.S. Naval Institute’s annual Coast Guard Essay Contest.

2. Overview. Located at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI), a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization, has provided an open forum for honest debate, informed discussion, and professional development for members of the Naval Services since 1873. The vision and mission of USNI is to give a voice to those who seek the finest Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard by providing an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak and write to advance the professional, literary and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. USNI is noted for its flagship magazine Proceedings, and a variety of historical and professional books.

3. Coast Guard Essay Contest. This year’s annual Coast Guard Essay Contest challenges authors to advance new thinking about the U.S. Coast Guard’s critical role in the 21st century. Authors are encouraged to discuss the most compelling issues, ideas, and solutions. There is no restriction on topic. Those authors who choose to write about the Coast Guard are encouraged to constructively analyze and challenge conventional wisdom and current practices. In fact, USNI encourages authors to push the “dare” factor, and Coast Guard senior leaders encourage diversity of thought and respectful deliberation of difficult issues facing our Service.
a. Eligibility: Open to all contributors – active duty military, reservists, veterans, and
civilians – who are eligible for USNI membership. The essay must be original and not published or under consideration for publication elsewhere.
b. Length: 2,500 words maximum, excluding notes and sources.
c. Prizes: First prize – $5,000. Second prize – $2,500. Third prize – $1,500. The winning essays will be published in the August 2019 issue of Proceedings. Essays not awarded a prize may be selected for publication in one of the Naval Institute’s print or online properties.
d. Submission Deadline: 31 May 2019. Note: Essays are submitted directly to USNI and the Coast Guard plays no role in selecting the winning essays. Applicants shall ensure entries conform to Chapter 6, sections (A) through (C) of REF (A).
e. Additional details: https://www.usni.org/cgessay.

4. Other Essay Contests and Writing Opportunities.
a. Essay Contests. In addition to the Coast Guard Essay Contest, the Naval Institute sponsors other essay contests throughout the year including the General Prize, Cyber, Emerging and Disruptive Technology, Enlisted, Leadership, Marine Corps, Naval History, Naval Intelligence, Naval Mine Warfare, and Midshipman and Cadet essay contests. For details see: https://www.usni.org/essay-contests/.
b. Other Writing Opportunities. Authors can also submit articles year round for publication in Proceedings or Naval History magazines, Proceedings Today (online), and the Naval Institute Blog (online). For details see: https://www.usni.org/magazines/submissions.

5. POCs:
a. For additional information on USNI, contact RDML Jack Vogt (Anthony.J.Vogt@uscg.mil), the Coast Guard’s representative to the U.S. Naval Institute.
b. For additional information on professional writing for USNI, including essay contests, contact CAPT Greg Stump (Gregory.G.Stump@uscg.mil), CAPT Holly Harrison (Holly.Harrison@uscg.mil), CDR Brian Smicklas (Brian.A.Smicklas@uscg.mil), or CDR Grant Thomas (Joseph.G.Thomas@uscg.mil) who currently serve or have served as elected members of the Naval Institute’s editorial board.

6. ADM Charles W. Ray, Vice Commandant, sends.

7. Internet release is authorized.

I have been a bit disappointed that there has not been more activity on the National Cuttermen Chapter Surface Navy Association Website. They have not had a new post since 3 Feb, 2018. There was no mention of the National Surface Navy Conference, and I know some of the local chapters have had activities.

In the future, if there is a need to spread word of a future event, or to talk about a past event, I would be happy to host a post here.

Reuters is reporting that the Bertholf transited the Taiwan Strait in company with the destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur. This really should not be worth a mention. I am sure they were in international waters, but China has been getting their panties in a twist every time an American Warship passes through the Taiwan Strait. Don’t sweat it. If we were coming to do harm to China, we would bring more than a destroyer and cutter.

Norway is apparently in the middle of a potentially huge SAR case. Aljazeera reports,

The maritime rescue service on Saturday said the Viking Sky, which suffered an engine failure and has roughly 1,300 passengers and crew on board, had sent a mayday signal as it had been drifting towards land..

The ship has managed to restart one engine and is at anchor two kilometers off shore. Passengers are being hoisted by helicopter. Fishing vessels are assisting. More from the BBC here.

Below you will find a CCGD11 news release regarding the Commandant’s State of the Coast Guard speech delivered today quoted in full. It also includes a link to the text of the speech. I will make some additional observations at the end. 

Editors’ Note: Click on above image to download full-resolution photos and view the videos.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard delivered his first State of the Coast Guard address Thursday at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach in San Pedro.

Speaking from the largest port in the nation, Adm. Karl Schultz highlighted Coast Guard security and marine safety operations, which facilitate $4.6 trillion in annual economic activity.

Schultz also recognized the service and sacrifice of Coast Guard men and women deployed around the world ensuring global peace and prosperity, including servicemembers supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. He also honored servicemembers in San Pedro, who help ensure the safety and timely movement of vessels operating in the Ports of Los Angeles-Long Beach.

“We must make a difference today, for the Coast Guard of tomorrow,” said Schultz. “Our Coast Guard men and women are united by a shared commitment and eagerness to serve, to demonstrate skill and courage, so that America’s Coast Guard will remain Semper Paratus—Always Ready.”

Schultz also made multiple policy and acquisition announcements including:

• Increased presence in Southern California, including construction of a new air station at Ventura County Naval Station; the homeporting of the service’s first two new Offshore Patrol Cutters at Base Los Angeles-Long Beach in 2021; and four new Fast Response Cutters in Los Angeles.
• Confirmed the service was poised to release an update to its Arctic Strategic Outlook in the coming weeks.
• $675 million to fully fund the Polar Security Cutter and award the first construction contract for the cutter in the spring.
• Provided an update on Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf’s deployment to the Western Pacific in support of United States Indo-Pacific Command combating North Korea’s maritime sanctions evasion activity.
• Confirmed the service will accelerate delivery of unmanned aerial systems for National Security Cutters to enable operations that reduce violence and economic/political instability in the Western Hemisphere.

“As Congress makes tough fiscal decisions and looks at the best ways to spend the nation’s precious resources, there’s not a better return on investment in government than the United States Coast Guard,” said Schultz.

Download his full remarks at www.uscg.mil/AlwaysReady.

My Comments: 

The statement that the first two OPCs will go to Long Angeles/Long Beach is the first time I have heard this. Still don’t think I have heard where NSCs #9-11 are going.

The Commandant wants to double the rate at which we procure Scan Eagle for the  National Security Cutters and he wants to put them on OPCs as well.

He talked a lot about Port Security cyber. This is going to continue to grow.

He talked about making the service more inclusive, and a safe workplace. In this regard he referred to the Women’s retention taskforce. which is expected to report next week. He also indicated there will be an underrepresented minorities retention task force.

He reported that he was putting Coast Guard Reservists directly under vice Commandant for Operations.

These are inevitably feel good events, and watching it you could feel pride in the Coast Guard and in its people and accomplishments. I know I did. It is not good form to  complain too much about the administration or the Department or how Congress has treated the Coast Guard, but the Commandant did talk about how the Coast Guard had a backlog of deferred maintenance and a $1.7B shore infrastructure backlog, and that the operating accounts have been flatlined for the last eight years resulting in a 10% loss of purchasing power. He included a reminder in the third and forth paragraph from the end that we really need a steady budget increase. He did not say it, but that is not the case with the FY2020 budget, in fact it is smaller than the FY2019 budget. Congress could still fix that.

“To be the Coast Guard that America needs takes more than just recapitalization. It requires sufficient operating and support funding to maintain our platforms, to train and equip our crews, and to support our Coast Guardsmen and their families. We’re appreciative of the fiscal year 2019 enacted budget, which provided over $2.2 billion dollars for capital investments and ensured continued frontline operations. I am also thankful for the President’s fiscal year 2020 budget request, which will sustain our Service.

“However, to be an absolutely Ready, Relevant, and Responsive Coast Guard requires a 5% annual increase in operating and support funding. As Congress makes tough fiscal decisions and looks at the best ways to spend the Nation’s precious resources, there’s not a better return on investment in government than the United States Coast Guard.”

RFA Mounts Bay

Just wanted to highlight the fact that Drug Interdiction is an international effort with assistance from Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Netherlands, France, (probably some I have missed), and in this case the UK using a large ship with a crew smaller than that of 210 and an embarked Coast Guard Helo and boarding team.

Designated as T-ATS(X) by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the new class of vessels will be based on existing commercial towing offshore vessel designs . Gulf Island Shipyards rendering

Workboat reports on the Navy’s new towing and salvage ship. It is a brute capable of towing a nuclear powered carrier. The price is certainly right, $63.5M for a 263 foot vessel. It is on the slow side, but it might find some use in support of Coast Guard Law Enforcement operations.

“The 262.8’x59.06’x24.61′ vessel designated T-ATS, to be built at Gulf Island Shipyards, Houma, La., under a $63.5 million contract, will be based on an existing commercial offshore towing design, to replace the Navy’s current T-ATF and T-ARS 50 ships serving under the U.S. Military Sealift Command.

“The design by Gulf Island and Wärtsilä will have its main propulsion come from twin Wartsila 8L32 diesel engines, each producing 6,217 hp at 750 rpm. A pair of Wärtsilä 3700 mm (145″), controllable pitch, 4-bladed props and Wärtsilä marine gears will give the vessel a running speed of 13 knots.”

One of these might make a decent support vessel for Webber Class WPCs and Cyclone Class PCs operating in the drug transit zones.

Below you will find a CCGD11 news release quoted in its entirety. I find it significant that the address will take place in a Pacific port rather than in DC. Also note the bullet point, “Coast Guard deployments to the western Pacific Ocean in support of U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.” It seems the Coast Guard is also “Pivoting” to the Pacific. Even the Arctic strategy and new icebreakers are PACAREA issues. Nice to see the Coast Guard recognizing the growing importance of the Pacific. As noted below, you can see the address live. (Presumably all times are Pacific Coast.) Once it shows up on YouTube I will post it here as well.

Top Coast Guard officer to outline future of service in San Pedro

Editors’ Note: Click on above image to download full-resolution version.

WHO: Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the United States Coast Guard

WHAT: The service chief is scheduled to give his first annual State of the Coast Guard address

WHEN: Thursday at 8:00 a.m.

WHERE: Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach at 1001 S. Seaside Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731

HOW: Media may RSVP at (310) 781-0619 no later than Wednesday at 5 p.m. A government-issued identification and media credentials are required for access to Base Los Angeles-Long Beach. Media can access the event Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard will deliver his first State of the Coast Guard address Thursday at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles-Long Beach in San Pedro.

Speaking from the largest port in the nation, Adm. Karl Schultz will highlight Coast Guard security and marine safety operations, which facilitate $4.6 trillion in annual economic activity.

Adm. Schultz will also recognize the service and sacrifice of Coast Guard men and women deployed around the world ensuring global peace and prosperity, including servicemembers supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. He will also honor servicemembers in San Pedro, who help ensure the safety and timely movement of vessels operating in the Ports of Los Angeles-Long Beach.

Adm. Schultz is scheduled to make multiple policy and acquisition announcements:

• The expansion of the Coast Guard’s presence in the Los Angeles area with a new base, vessels and support personnel.
• An update to the Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy and future Arctic operations.
• Full funding and plans to award the contract for the construction of the Coast Guard’s first Polar Security Cutter.
• Coast Guard deployments to the western Pacific Ocean in support of U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.
• New acquisitions to enhance maritime operations combatting dangerous criminal organizations off of Central and South America. These operations reduce violence and economic/political instability driving illegal immigration toward the U.S. Southern Border.

Detailed Schedule of Events:

• 8:15 – 8:30 a.m.: Adm. Schultz will be available for media interviews
• 8:30 – 9:40 a.m.: Displays and tours of Coast Guard assets will be available. Local Coast Guard members will be available for interviews
• 9:50 – 10:45 a.m.: State of the Coast Guard address
• 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Demonstrations of search and rescue and non-compliant vessel/use-of-force capabilities
• 12:45 – 2:00 p.m.: Adm. Karl Schultz invites the media to get underway on a Coast Guard cutter. Adm. Schultz will be available for additional interviews aboard the vessel.

The event will also be live streamed at https://www.uscg.mil/alwaysready/ and www.dvidshub.net/webcast/19022.