Below is a press release. I have also added a copy of Vice Admiral Fagan’s official bio below the press release.

News Release U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Contact: Headquarters Public Affairs Office: (202) 372-4630 mediarelations@uscg.mil Headquarters online newsroom WASHINGTON – Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the White House to be the next Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. She currently serves as the commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, overseeing all Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains to the waters off the East Coast of Africa. Fagan concurrently serves as commander, Defense Force West and provides Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders. Fagan is a 1985 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and is the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident, the officer with the longest service record in the Marine Safety field. “Vice Adm. Fagan is an outstanding leader with 36 years of Coast Guard operations, policy-making, joint service, and interagency experience,” said Adm. Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “Throughout her distinguished career, she has been a top performer and a trailblazer. As the Coast Guard’s first female four-star admiral, and President Biden’s nominee to serve as the Coast Guard’s 32nd Vice Commandant, Adm. Fagan will be instrumental in moving the Service forward at a critical juncture in our history.”  Pending confirmation, Fagan is expected to relieve current Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Charles W. Ray on June 18. Click here to access Vice Adm. Fagan’s bio.

Vice Admiral Fagan assumed command of the Coast Guard Pacific Area in June 2018 where she serves as the operational commander for all U.S. Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains to the waters off the East Coast of Africa. She concurrently serves as Commander, Defense Force West and provides Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders.

Vice Admiral Fagan is the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident, as the officer with the longest service record in the Marine Safety Field. As such, she advocates for and advises the Prevention workforce.

Vice Admiral Fagan reports to the Pacific Area from her tour as the Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, & Capabilities, responsible for establishing operational strategy, policy, capability, and resources to meet national priorities. Prior flag officer assignments were Commander, First Coast Guard District where she oversaw multi-mission operations across New England, and Deputy Director of Operations for Headquarters, United States Northern Command, advising the Commander on mission operations.

Admiral Fagan has served on all seven continents, from the snows of Ross Island, Antarctica to the heart of Africa, from Tokyo to Geneva, and in many ports along the way. She commanded Sector New York, with responsibility for all Coast Guard missions in the greater New York metropolitan area and as far north as Albany. Additional operational assignments include sea duty on board the USCGC Polar Star, and more than 15 years as a Marine Inspector. Vice Admiral Fagan’s staff tours include Executive Assistant to the Commandant and Vice Commandant, and Division Chief of the Foreign and Offshore Compliance Office.

Vice Admiral Fagan has extensive interagency as well as intergovernmental experience. She has worked with both the International Maritime Organization and International Labor Organization on flag state and port state issues, including the development of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS), and the Consolidated Maritime Labor Convention.

Vice Admiral Fagan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master’s Degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, and a Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She has earned numerous personal and team awards during her 38 years of Coast Guard service.

Illegal Fentanyl pills are manufactured and often appear very “unclean and unevenly colored with unprofessional lettering appearances” unlike pharmaceutical opioids where the pills’ colors, letters, and numbers are even and clearly defined. Note the uneven blue color and the barely legible markings on these illegal Fentanyl pills.   (Photo: Fentanyl Pro) 

Drug interdiction has not gotten any easier as the dollar value per cubic volume of product has increased as smugglers moved from Marijuana to Cocaine and now to easily hidden fentanyl. Guest author Peter Ong, gets some answers about the Coast Guard current interdiction efforts. I did not find the answers encouraging–Chuck                                           

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In April 2021, a United States Coast Guard (USCG) spokesperson in Media Relations at the USCG Headquarters, Washington D.C., responded to my questions via email about America’s “War on Drugs,” particularly against opioids and the ever-popular and dangerous illegal opioid, Fentanyl, that appears to arrive smuggled in commercial shipping containers and aboard International aircraft.

In perspective, the USCG’s “War on Drugs” covers vast oceanic geography using the Coast Guard’s white-painted Cutters and aircraft to patrol and pursue from the Gulf of Mexico to the coasts of Central and South America to the INDO-PACOM region.

I asked the U.S. Coast Guard what actions are being taken to curb the smuggling of Fentanyl from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and China, and if the Coast Guard has any statistics on Fentanyl seizures.  The Coast Guard Headquarters spokesperson replied, “The Coast Guard is the only federal maritime law enforcement agency with both the authority and capability to enforce national and international law, including drug interdiction, on the high seas. The Coast Guard shares the lead for interdiction and enforcement responsibilities with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in U.S. territorial waters.

“While the Coast Guard has conducted little to no maritime enforcement activity involving synthetic opioids (to include Fentanyl), we continue to leverage international and interagency partnerships to maintain a forward-leaning interdiction posture to counter all illicit maritime drug trafficking.

“The Coast Guard removed over 2.2 million pounds of cocaine and apprehended nearly 3,000 suspected smugglers for U.S. and foreign prosecution over the last five years. The massive profits from cocaine trafficking allow transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) to diversify and fund other nefarious activities, including manufacture and trafficking of illicit opioids, synthetics, and methamphetamines.

“Additionally, Coast Guard, working with the U.S. State Department, has been supporting the Mexican Navy’s (SEMAR) maritime authority skill-development process. These efforts will assist SEMAR in their mission to monitor and inspect all cargo, increase the security/safety, and reduce illegal trafficking through Mexican ports.

“The Coast Guard has one case on record involving Fentanyl. In August 2020, Coast Guard Sector San Diego assisted a Customs and Border Protection boat in seizing 9.8 kilograms (21 pounds) of Fentanyl from a smuggling vessel in the waters off southern California.”

Bales of cocaine lie stacked under the deck of a suspected smuggling vessel in October interdicted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Approximately 2,000 pounds of cocaine were seized and three suspected smugglers were detained.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo, United States, 10.02.2019, Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexander Gray)

U.S. Coast Guard, Washington D.C. Headquarters spokesperson also replied to questions on if inspecting for Fentanyl is more difficult to conduct in the open seas because Fentanyl comes in smaller shipments (compared to huge bales of marijuana and cocaine), and if the USCG Cutters have any trained drug-sniffing dogs aboard for detecting Fentanyl.  “TCOs [transnational criminal organizations] employ ever-changing tactics, using a variety of vessels and methods to smuggle illicit drugs in the maritime environment. These include go-fast vessels, fishing vessels, low-profile vessels, self-propelled semi-submersibles, and commercial cargo ships. Smugglers often conceal illicit drugs in elaborate hidden compartments, challenging law enforcement search efforts in often difficult sea conditions. Upon detection by law enforcement personnel, maritime smugglers often jettison illicit drugs along with other evidence in an attempt to evade enforcement action. Illicit drugs smuggled via commercial maritime means (e.g.: commercial cargo ships) are often well-concealed among legitimate cargo, severely challenging detection by law enforcement agencies.

“Drugs other than cocaine and marijuana comprise less than one percent of Coast Guard annual drug removals. These “other drugs” are primarily methamphetamine, amphetamine, and heroin.

“The Coast Guard does not routinely employ drug-sniffing dogs aboard its cutters, but employs a variety [of] actions and devices to detect the presence of contraband.”

Who also assists the U.S. Coast Guard in helping stem the tide of illegal drugs from overseas?

“The Coast Guard leverages our vast network of international and interagency partners to reduce the availability of illicit drugs in the United States. We conduct counter narcotics efforts at sea with partners, to include the DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] and FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation].”

“The Coast Guard defers to our partners in the Drug Enforcement Administration regarding Fentanyl smuggling via aircraft.

A boarding team aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton apprehends four suspected drug smugglers in international waters in the drug transit zone of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, February 23, 2017. After gaining control of the suspect’s go-fast vessel, the boarding team discovered and seized 700 kilograms of cocaine. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Barney)

I asked about the protection that USCG’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) boat teams, or Cutter personnel use when searching for drugs, and if any USCG personnel have been injured from Fentanyl exposure.  The USCG spokesperson replied, “The Coast Guard employs appropriate safety precautions and procedures against potential exposure to Fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Coast Guard personnel don personal protective equipment when handling or potentially encountering all illicit drugs. This includes gloves, masks, and appropriate coverings of the arms and legs. Additionally, the appropriate Coast Guard assets are equipped with naloxone [naloxone, also known by the name brands Narcan® and Evizo®, can treat a narcotic opioid overdose from, for example, Fentanyl, morphine, and heroin, in an emergency situation], and personnel are trained on its administration following a potential exposure to Fentanyl or other opioids.

“No Coast Guard personnel have been injured due to Fentanyl exposure.”

An interesting bit of trivia. What US Coast Guard cutter became the first flagship of the Israeli Navy? Found the story in three Wikipedia entries: USCGC Northland (WPG-49) – Wikipedia, about the ship, Aliyah Bet – Wikipedia, about the attempts to land Jewish refugees on the shores of Palestine, and Israeli Navy – Wikipedia which provides the history of the Israeli Navy.

“Although sold for scrap 3 January 1947, Northland was renamed Jewish State (Medinat HaYehudim), and transported Jewish refugees to Palestine.“

“On 2 October 1947, the Medinat HaYehudim (2,664 passengers) was intercepted by the Royal Navy.‘ (It was then impounded in Haifa.)

(That they managed to get 2,664 passengers on a 217 foot long, 2,150 ton ship shows how desperate they must have been.)

“In 1948 she was renamed Eilat and became the flagship of the infant Israeli Navy. Later, the ship she became a training ship. In 1955, the ship was renamed Matzpen, serving as a barracks or depot hulk. The ship was scrapped in 1961.”

A nice description of one of the US Coast Guard’s partner agencies in the Caribbean. If the patrol boat in the picture above looks familiar, it is because these Damen Stan 4100 patrol vessels lead to the very popular Damen Stan 4207 patrol vessels, which lead to the Damen Stan 4708 which was the basis for the Webber class Fast Response Cutters.

Back in 2015 there was a bit of a dust-up when Venezuela accused the US Coast Guard of violating their air space. Whether the plane actually violated Venezuelan airspace, the plane was almost certainly a Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard DASH-8 like the one pictured below.

Thanks to Lee for bringing this to my attention.

I got a request today, from someone looking into the possibility that the Coast Guard may have flown “Hurricane Hunter” missions in the Western Pacific in the ’60s. Maybe a reader can help solve a mystery?

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Hi Chuck

Hope you can help me.

I am an aviation writer, author & historian looking for US Coast Guard historical information, to confirm other historical information associated with the “USCG Western Pacific Logistic Support Air Group” at Barbers Point and specifically their detachment in Guam between 1960-66.

I made my original request to the Command PAO at 14^th District (Hawaii) in January 2021. I rec’d a response directing me to the Pacific area Historian (Dr. Rosen) in early February 2021. I sent a immediate request to this historian with no Joy (and no response to date). I went back to the 14^th Dist. PAO in March asking to be connected to someone else or other help with my request – with no response to date.

I‘m very frustrated that I can’t get anybody from the USCG Hawaii to respond to me. They all can be that busy (?)

Background to Request

I am writing a comprehensive book on the history of aircraft that have flown into tropical cyclones (hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones) for reconnaissance, surveillance and research purposes since before WWII to today.

I am currently drafting a sub-sub-section on typhoon reconnaissance in the 1960s, and then specifically about the period 1960-66 during the establishment and initial operations of the “Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC” based in Guam at the time.

Not generally known is that that the JTWC was hit with a number of serious issues that hampered their typhoon forecasting mission right from the start. One of the major issues was the unavailability of dedicated typhoon reconnaissance aircraft. Given the lack of available TR aircraft, the JTWC sought and received approval to task (any) “other” US Gov Military aircraft within the Western Pacific to provide augmentation typhoon tracking support towards their typhoon forecasts and warnings. Thus, according to Navy, Air Force and JTWC typhoon tracking records, there were additional “other” aircraft occasionally utilized for the typhoon tracking mission.

It’s in this area where I suspect that US Coast Guard aircraft participated in tracking of typhoons for the JTWC.

Example: according to JTWC records; in 1965 a C-123 aircraft provided a typhoon radar tracking report to the JTWC during Typhoon Della (13-19 October 1965) on the 13th half way between Kwajalein and Wake Islands. The only C-123B in the Western Pacific were with the US Coast Guard. 

Specifically the “USCG Western Pacific Logistic Support Air Group” detachment in Guam. 

The USCG C-123Bs in Guam supported Western Pacific LORAN stations with logistical resupply. Their main area of LORAN resupply was within the area of the Trust Territories of Pacific Islands (TTPI) or what is now known as Micronesia.

With regards to the 1965 typhoon radar tracking report to the JTWC, this report’s position was right in the middle of the USCG C-123B’s operating area supporting LORAN stations.

Additionally; according to the USCG Western Pacific Logistic Support Air Group’s (online) mission statement;

 “….the unit flew a variety of missions and carried a wider variety of cargo. In regard to the former, they engaged in search and rescue and law enforcement missions. After seismic events they flew earthquake assessment and tsunami warning patrols in addition to bringing supplies to stations that may have been disabled by such events. They also flew typhoon patrols and helped in the evacuation of those in the storms’ paths ….”

I’m particularly interested in the highlighted phrase “….They also flew typhoon patrols ….” 

“typhoon patrols” is a WWII term for conducting “hunting” missions or flying synoptic weather patrols looking for low pressure fronts and areas of disturbed weather – that would develop into typhoons….. that would subsequently generate additional reconnaissance flights to track the storms, providing forecaster data to support storm forecasts and warnings.

The issue at hand here is that the US Coast Guard, historically, is not known for having “ever” conducted aerial typhoon reconnaissance or typhoon tracking missions.

SO – my request to the 14^th District and the area Historian is; Did the USCG Western Pacific Logistic Support Air Group fly into Western Pacific typhoons 

(1960s-70s) ?

If the WESTPAC USCG Air Group did, this is new historical information and needs reporting.

Do you have any direct contact  with anybody that can help me ?

Do you know any members or organizations that encompass members of the USCG Western Pacific Logistic Support Air Group that served in the 1960s that can advise me ?

Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

David Reade

P-3 Publications, Nova Scotia, Canada

david.reade@eastlink.ca

Naval News reports the delivery of, ARA Piedrabuena (P-52), the first of three new Offshore Patrol Vessels to the Argentine Navy.

“This delivery is part of the contract signed by Naval Group with Argentina in 2018 for the delivery of four multi-mission patrol vessels. A.R.A. Bouchard (former L’Adroit) was delivered last December, two months ahead of schedule.”

The video above discusses the progress of the program. These new ships are somewhat different from the former French ship L’Adroit, before its transfer to Argentina, in that they are ice-strengthened and somewhat better armed with a 30mm auto-cannon. A.R.A. Bouchard the former L’Adroit now carries the same weapon.

You might recall, that L’Adroit was used as an example of what we might achieve with a notional “Cutter X,” in that it is not much more complex than the Webber class Fast Response Cutters, but offers better seakeeping, longer range, two RHIBs, and a helicopter flight deck and hangar.

Below is a Coast Guard Academy news release. Almost titled this “Not your daddy’s Coast Guard.”

News Release U.S. Coast Guard Academy Contact: USCGA Public Affairs Office: (860) 444-8270 After Hours: (860) 857-5544 Academy online newsroom Coast Guard Academy participates in 2021 NSA Cyber Exercise NEW LONDON, Conn.– A team from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy participated in the National Security Agency’s 20th annual National Cyber Exercise (NCX), a cyber competition that tests offensive and defensive cybersecurity skills, held virtually April 8-10. More than 200 women and men participated from U.S. Service Academies and Senior Military Colleges as well as civilian interns from NSA’s cyber-focused development programs in the three-day competition designed to develop and test cybersecurity skills. During this year’s exercise, Coast Guard Academy cadets engaged with NSA personnel to execute and evaluate cyber mission strategies and complete cyber operation scenarios in real-time. Exercise scenarios included challenges that tested skills in forensics, cyber policy, cryptography, reverse engineering as well as attack-and-defend cyber exercise .“The competition is an opportunity to build upon skills taught in academic classes such as cryptography, software reverse engineering, and digital forensics,” said Lt. Ryan Quarry, Cyber Systems instructor at the Coast Guard Academy. “Participating in NCX allows future cyber leaders of our service to stop malicious activity designed to disrupt, degrade, or destroy the nation’s critical maritime infrastructure. ”NCX demands that cadets exercise their training to operate effectively in teams as well as communicate and make decisions while evaluating complex technical data points. Cyberattacks are invisible hazards that are capable of inflicting real physical damage. These threats target the infrastructure, information systems, networks, and personal devices we rely on every day. The U.S. Coast Guard has a long-standing mission of protecting America’s maritime transportation system and critical infrastructure, as well as those who work on and live near the water. Cyberspace is an operational domain that integrates information and intelligence in support of Coast Guard operations. The Coast Guard Academy recently instituted a Cyber Systems major to meet the needs of the service’s cybersecurity strategy of defending cyberspace, enabling operations, and protecting infrastructure. The major provides graduates with the computing skills and technical ability to meet the needs of the Coast Guard cyber mission. Since 2001, the NSA has hosted the team-against-team competition that develops and tests teamwork, planning, communication and decision-making skills of the next generation of cyber talent. More information about Coast Guard Cyber operations and missions can be found here.

The following is from CG-9’s web site. 

Below is an announcement from the Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9) web site.

Coast Guard awards contract for up to 20 OTH-IV boats and equipment

April 12, 2021 —

The Coast Guard today awarded a contract to Safe Boats International L.L.C. of Bremerton, Washington, for up to 20 over the horizon-IV (OTH-IV) cutter boats with supporting equipment. The fixed price contract has a total potential value of $8.8 million and includes an initial order for one OTH-IV and supporting equipment. This contract will enable the Coast Guard to meet equipment requirements for new cutters as the service prepares to transition to the OTH-V cutter boat platform.

OTH-IVs acquired through this contract will outfit new national security cutters (NSC), fast response cutters (FRC) and offshore patrol cutters (OPC) through April 2024. The new contract incorporates revisions to the navigation and communication systems to mitigate obsolescence concerns.  

The Coast Guard has used OTH-IVs since 2013; it is the service’s standard cutter boat for missions that may extend 70 nautical miles from its parent craft. Two OTH-IVs are assigned to each NSC, one OTH-IV to each FRC, with OPCs capable of operating one to three OTH-IVs. OTH-IVs are 26 feet long and have a top speed of 40 knots. Compared to earlier generations, the OTH-IVs feature increased cargo space and seating, higher speeds and compatibility with both stern and side-davit launch and recovery systems.

Cutter boats deployed aboard cutters facilitate mission accomplishment in almost all mission areas, with emphasis in search and rescue, drug interdiction, alien migrant interdiction operations, living marine resources, defense readiness, and ports, waterway and coastal security.

For more information: Boat Acquisition program page

C4IRSNET reports a new cooperative research agreement between the US, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and New Zealand. 

“In November, the Pentagon signed a new memorandum of understanding for the International Cooperative Engagement Program for Polar Research effort. The ICE-PPR involves a group of seven nations that formalized efforts to cooperate on basic research projects and solve the “biggest challenges of safely operating in the extreme polar environment,” John Woods, deputy director of the International Engagement Office with the Office of Naval Research Global, told C4ISRNET.”