Buoy Tender, FRC, C-130 Used for International Fisheries Enforcement–Operation Southern Shield

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PERU, 10.06.2023, Courtesy Photo, USCG District 11
San Francisco based USCGC Alder (WLB-216) raises the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) flag while patrolling the Eastern Pacific Ocean during Operation Southern Shield in October 2023. The Coast Guard recently completed the first high-seas boardings and inspections off the coast of Peru under a newly adopted multi-lateral agreement to monitor fishing and transshipment operations within the SPRFMO Convention Area, a region which encompasses nearly a quarter of the Earth’s high seas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Honore)

Below is a District 11 news release. It came with 24 photos. I have included a few here. The captions are informative. I have edited some of the captions to include homeports and minimize duplication. I have also added a few links and the schematic below.

SPRFMO CONVENTION AREA
This schematic is available only to illustrate the Area of application of the SPRFMO Convention, which is described in legal terms in Article 5. The schematic is not part of the Convention text and has no legal status; it is not intended to reflect exactly the maritime spaces of adjoining coastal states.

PERU, 10.07.2023, Courtesy Photo, USCG District 11
The Coast Guard Cutter Alder approaches a squid fishing vessel while CG-2007, a C-130 from Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii, flies over (upper left) during Operation Southern Shield 2023, October 2023. The Coast Guard recently completed the first high-seas boardings and inspections off the coast of Peru under a newly adopted multi-lateral agreement to monitor fishing
and transshipment operations within the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO)Convention Area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

LIMA, PERU, 10.06.2023, Courtesy Photo, USCG District 11
The aircrew of the Coast Guard 2007, an HC-130 based out of U.S. Coast Guard
Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, poses for a picture with observers from the Peruvian Navy and Air Force, in Lima Peru, October 2023. During the course of two weeks, Peruvian observers accompanied the USCG aircrew as they conducted overflights of the fishing fleet on the high seas during Operation Southern Shield 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by pilot-in-charge, Lt. Zachary Hunter)

There was a Webber Class WPC involved as well. This follows the pattern of pairing a WLB with an FRC for distant operations that we have also seen in the Western Pacific.

PERU, 10.06.2023, Courtesy Photo, USCG District 11
The crew of San Pedro based USCGC Terrell Horne (WPC-1131) conducts a patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Southern Shield 2023, October 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

These operations followed an international exercise, GALAPEX 2023.

09.23.2023, Courtesy Photo, USCG District 11
Participants in GALAPEX 2023 pose for a group picture following a law enforcement boarding exercise during GALAPEX 2023, Sept. 23, 2023. Coast Guard Cutters Alder and Terrell Horne conducted a boarding of Ecuador Bae Isla Floreana as the first major exercise and introduction to GALAPEX, a recurring multi-national maritime exercise led by Ecuador and included participation with delegates from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the European Union, France, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. j.g. Kimberly Byron)

09.25.2023, Courtesy Photo, USCG District 11
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder (background) transits in formation alongside Peru BAP (Buque Armada Peruana) Bolognesi (FM-57) as it prepares for the next exercise during GALAPEX 2023, Sept.25, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

 Oct. 16, 2023

Coast Guard Cutter crews conduct first high-seas boardings off the coast of Peru, under new SPRFMO measure

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Alder, Terrell Horne and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft recently completed the first high-seas boardings and inspections, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, under a newly adopted conservation and management measure to monitor and inspect fishing and transshipment operations at-sea in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) Convention Area.

As part of Operation Southern Shield, the Coast Guard conducted boardings and overflights within the SPRFMO Convention Area on the high seas off the coast of Peru. For years, the Coast Guard has executed counter-illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing operations and participated in high seas boarding inspections (HSBI) around the globe. This operation was significant as it was timed to implement newly adopted rules in the SPRFMO Convention Area, which comprises nearly a quarter of the Earth’s high seas. The SPRFMO Commission consists of 17 members from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, as well as two cooperating non-contracting parties. The primary species targeted in the Convention area are jack mackerel and jumbo flying squid.

Just prior to Operation Southern Shield, the Coast Guard participated in GALAPEX 2023, a recurring joint and multinational exercise hosted by Ecuador and executed in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands. The Coast Guard conducted communications exercises, practiced counter-narcotics boarding scenarios, and hosted observers from Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. GALAPEX culminated with full-scale exercises focused on a coordinated multinational response to counter IUU fishing. At the conclusion of the exercise, the Coast Guard patrolled south to focus on high seas boarding inspections off the coast of Peru.

“The U.S. Coast Guard remains committed to conducting combined maritime operations and exercises throughout the Eastern Pacific and will continue to capitalize on every opportunity to work with, learn from, and coordinate through our partners,” said Capt. James O’Mara, Chief of Enforcement for Coast Guard 11th District.  “The relationships our services build while planning and executing these operations are essential. The logistics required to enable these operations are significant, and it only happens with the tremendous support of partners like Ecuador and Peru.”

IUU fishing has replaced piracy as the leading global maritime security threat. Areas out on the high seas, beyond any country’s exclusive economic zone, can be exploited by fishermen engaged in IUU fishing, as they fish beyond the reach of most law enforcement entities. The Coast Guard’s actions provide inspection presence on the high seas among a distant water fishing fleet made up of more than 400 fishing and transshipment vessels. Much of the fishing in the Eastern Pacific is accomplished by these distant water fishing vessels, some which remain at sea for years at a time, and many of which are supported by transshipment vessels. The Coast Guard’s recent operation directly supported Central and South American partners and their desire to monitor and expand maritime domain awareness of fishing activity near their exclusive economic zones.

Each day during the operation a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft flew sorties over the fishing fleet on the high seas with observers from the Peruvian Navy and Air Force. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Terrell Horne also diverted to assist the Peruvian Navy in a search and rescue operation. The Terrell Horne located the vessel, then transported an injured fisherman back to shore to receive further medical care from local Peruvian officials.

“The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to working with our allies and partners to strengthen the international fisheries enforcement regime and stop the pervasive IUU fishing threat,” said Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, commander, Coast Guard 11th District. “Operation Southern Shield is just the latest example of that commitment, and we will continue to model and support rules-based order. We applaud the SPRFMO Commission for adopting these latest inspection guidelines and hope to see additional management measures adopted in the future to ensure the sustainability of our ocean resources. Last year we operated off the Galapagos, this year off the coast of Peru, and we will continue to deploy aircraft, cutters, and personnel to support our partners and monitor these distant water fleets wherever they roam. These operations help bring like-minded countries closer together to protect vulnerable fish stocks, support the economic stability of coastal nations, the livelihoods of small-scale and artisanal fishermen, and safeguard ocean resources that fuel global populations and economies.”

Israeli Sa’ar 6 Corvette Conducts Shore Bombardment

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The C-Dome air defense system mounted on Sa’ar 6 corvette includes a 40-round canister located at the front deck and loaded with vertically-launched Tamir surface-to-air missiles for 360-degree coverage. (Picture source NavalAnalyses.com)

Naval Technology reports that Israel had employed at least one newly commissioned Sa’ar 6 corvette to conduct shore bombardment with its 76mm gun.  We discussed this class earlier here, “Perhaps the Most Well Armed Cutter Sized Corvette in the World.”

Also found this video, which looks more like it was done by a 25mm (except the last 22 seconds), with some secondary explosions.

“Israel Navy takes out Hamas terrorists with grenades and machine guns after sinking boat” –Video

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Felt I had to pass along this video, taken from what looks a lot like a Response Boat, Small. The accompanying narrative,

“An Israeli Navy patrol eliminates Hamas terrorists whose boat has been destroyed in this footage from the October 7 attacks. Soldiers from the Snapir harbour security unit throw grenades and open fire at Hamas fighters as they swim towards Zikim beach. Dvora class patrol boats had destroyed the terrorists’ inflatable boats. Several Hamas fighters made it to shore at Zikim and attacked a military training base and a Kibbutz. More than 1,000 Israelis died in the attacks.”

I would point out that following the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943, when US Army Air Corps and Allied aircraft sank eight loaded Japanese transports and four of their escorting destroyers, US Navy PT boats had a similar unpleasant task, killing the survivors in the water, rafts, and lifeboats so that they could not make it to Lae, a nearby island and their original intended destination, and continue the fight.

During the Vietnam War concussion grenades were also commonly used against combat swimmers.

There was also this video, apparently taken through the sighting system of a Remote Weapon Station, probably very similar to the Mk38 Mod2/3. This seems to be related to the incident in the video above.

The accompanying Narrative,

“On July 8, five Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel from the sea near Zikim in order to carry out an attack. The IDF neutralized the terrorists through a combined effort of the ground, air and naval forces. This footage shows the Israel Navy targeting one of the terrorists on the beach.”

Greek Island Class Cutters to be Armed With Lionfish 20mm Remote Weapon Station

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LIONFISH 20 RWS (Leonardo image)

Two separate reports from Naval News (here and here) that four Island class cutters being transferred to the Greek Navy will be equipped with the Leonardo Lionfish 20mm Remote Weapon Station.

The weapon has a reported rate of fire of up to 1000 rounds per minute with 250 rounds on the mount, and an effective range of at least 2000 meters.

Unlike the Mk38 Mod2/3/4 mounts, traversing the electro-optics also requires training the gun.

NSC #10 Delivered

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Former Master Chief of the Coast Guard, Vince Patton, reported his attendance at the delivery ceremony for the tenth National Security Cutter on the Coast Guard Retired Veterans Facebook page,

“An enjoyable day with the crew of the USCGC CALHOUN as it has officially been signed over to the USCG today. The CALHOUN will be officially commissioned on April 20, 2024 in Baltimore, MD.”

The ship is expected to be homeported in Charleston, SC.

“Ukraine hits Russian Buyan cruise missile carrier and Pavel Derzhavin vessel with drones” –Ukrainska Pravda

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©Sea Baby dron. screenshot.
© Ukrainska Pravda

Ukrainska Pravda reports,

The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Ukrainian Navy, has attacked the Buyan cruise missile carrier and the ship Pavel Derzhavin using experimental weapons on uncrewed surface vessels…both vessels were hit by Sea Baby drones with experimental weapons.

The Buyan cruise missile carrier or Buyan-M (that is the name of the class, not a specific ship) is a small, 949 ton full load, 75 meter (246′) corvette armed with up to eight cruise missiles similar in capability to the American Tomahawk.

Buyan-M class corvette, Volgodonsk in Astrakhan. Author Anton Blinov, via Wikipedia.

Pavel Derzhavin is a Project 22160 class patrol ship, a bit bigger than the Buyan-M at 94 meters (308 ft) in length, but not as heavily armed.

Russian Project 22160 Patrol Ship Dmitriy Rogachyov in Sevastopol, 12 April 2019. Photo from Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.

I found the reference to “Sea Baby drones with experimental weapons” interesting, not that the Sea Baby drone was experimental, so I presume the warhead was experimental. Various reports seem to indicate the explosion was extremely loud and created a great deal of smoke. This could have been the result of secondary explosions.

It is not clear if the two ships were sunk.

Information about the source here.

“CTF 150, U.S. Coast Guard Seize $25 Million in Illegal Drugs” –NAVCENT

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A U.S. Navy L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 drone boat and the U.S. Coast Guard cutters USCGC John Scheuerman and USCGC Charles Moulthrope transit the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Information Systems Technician 1st Class Vincent Aguirre/U.S. Coast Guard)

Below is a news release by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs, October 11, 2023.

MANAMA, Bahrain —

The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) seized about $25 million worth of illegal drugs from a stateless vessel while operating in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 3.

The cutter, working under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized 360 kilograms of methamphetamines, 107 kilograms of heroin and 1,961 kilograms of hashish from the vessel during an interdiction operation.

This event marks the second time in a month that CTF 150 has interdicted illicit narcotics at sea. Last month, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster (F229) seized more than 450 kilograms, or approximately $9.5 million, of illegal drugs including heroin and hashish during a CTF 150 operation in the Arabian Sea.

“This new seizure, the second since the French Navy took command of CTF 150 last July, again shows the commitment of Combined Maritime Forces working together to enhance maritime security in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean,” said French Navy Capt. Yannick Bossu, commander of CTF 150.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. CTF 150 focuses on maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf.

Since 2021, Combined Maritime Forces has seized more than $1 billion in illegal drugs while patrolling waters across the Middle East.

The 38-nation naval partnership upholds the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

The Photo is Wrong but “US Naval Ship Fires Warning Shots at Iranian Boats: A Dangerous Encounter in the Strait of Hormuz” –BNN

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US Naval Ship Fires Warning Shots at Iranian Boats: A Dangerous Encounter in the Strait of Hormuz

BNN reports,

“On Monday…According to reports, the Iranian boats approached the U.S. ship at a high speed, coming within 300 yards before the warning shots were fired. This incident was described by the former commander of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet as ‘startling’ and ‘incredibly dangerous.’”

MSN passed the story along, but while I suspect the US ship may have been a Coast Guard cutter, since it is described as a “US naval ship” rather than a US Navy ship, the photo accompanying the story (above) is from an April 2, 2021, incident. The cutter in the photo is USCGC Monomoy (WPB-1326), decommissioned in March 2022. I looked for a news release from 5th Fleet but found none.

Similar incidents are not that unusual:

“USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 10, 2023” –USNI

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A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) crew member looks at Tromsø, Norway as the cutter departs Tromsø, Oct. 5, 2023. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

The US Naval Institute’s Fleet and Marine Tracker for 10 October again reports only two Navy ships operating with 4th Fleet.

I find their statistical information interesting. For instance, 23.1% of the Navy’s ships are underway and 33.1% are deployed. The fleet includes both regular Navy (USS) and Military Sealift Command (USNS) ships. 27.7% of regular Navy ships are deployed, while 54.2% of MSC ships are deployed. 33% of the fleet deployed are MSC even though MSC is only 20.3% of the total fleet. There is no USS/USNS breakdown for ships underway, but I would bet the MSC ships are disproportionately more likely to be underway than the regular Navy ships so probably less than 23% of regular Navy commissioned ships are underway. These numbers are pretty typical.

I would really like to see some comparable figures for US Coast Guard ships. I think we would look pretty good.

We frequently hear that the US Navy ships are overworked, and I would not say that they are not, but I don’t think it is because they are underway too much. Other things must be the problem.

USCGC Munro is wrapping up her 7th Fleet deployment, stopping in Honolulu before returning to homeport, Alameda, CA. Icebreaker USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is in Copenhagen, a long way from her Seattle homeport.

Why Russia Should be Worried, “ARCTIC PRC’s 13th Arctic expedition creating concerns for Russia” –The Watch

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Xue Long 2 on sea trials. Photo by PRIC.

NORTHCOM’s online magazine, “The Watch,” gives us a balanced, non-alarmist, look at Chinese Arctic activity, but also tells us why maybe Russia should be worried.

I have contended for a long time that sometime in the future, China will turn on Russia and recover those parts of China ceded to Russia as a result of unequal treaties (and here) in the 19th Century, during what China calls the Century of Humiliation, and while they are at it, maybe a bit more. They have neither forgotten nor forgiven.  

Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA
DIGITAL ID g7822m ct002999 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g7822m.ct002999

China and Russia have a long history of conflict (here, here, here and here), There was a border conflict between China and Russia (then the Soviet Union) in 1969, when China was clearly the weaker of the two, that lead to China opening to the West and Nixon’s trip to China.

Russia and China’s current partnership has mostly benefited China. China benefited from technology transfers and reverse engineered Soviet and Russian weapon systems.

Now China is clearly stronger than Russia in just about everything except nuclear weapons, and they are now rapidly growing their nuclear capability.

If China should decide retaking Taiwan, which has 215,000 active military and 2,310,000 reservists, a tech savvy population of about 24 million, and is protected by the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait and has potential help from powerful allies, may be too risky, they may decide recovery of Outer Manchuria is a good consolation prize.

Population of the Russian Far East, 1990-2015 Data source: Fedstat. Author: Underlying lk. (About four million of these live in former Chinese territory.)

The Russian population in the Far East is small and declining. Russian infrastructure connecting industrialized European Russia with the FarEast is weak. Most of the Russian military is in Europe, and their weakness has been exposed in Ukraine.

If China attempted to retake land formerly part of China, they would want to cut Russia’s East/West logistics links. Taking out the few railroad links using airpower would be relatively easy. Air links can’t carry much in the way of heavy equipment. Most Russian supplies and material reinforcements would have to come by sea. Even if the Chinese did not interdict Russian traffic on the Norther Sea Route as suggested in the linked post, China’s Navy and Air Force could dominate Russian access to the Sea of Japan, including the primary Russian Pacific Fleet base in Vladivostok. Chinese submarines and their rapidly expanding force of aircraft carriers could probably cut off access to the Sea of Okhotsk and Petropavlovsk.

From a Chinese point of view recovery would be justified and perhaps far less costly than an amphibious invasion of Taiwan.

If the Russians can be made to see the righting on the wall, they might even be willing to sell the territory back to their friend at wholesale.