FY2025 Budget Request and the FY2024 Coast Guard Authorization

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US Capital West Side, by Martin Falbisoner

Ran across a couple of documents you might be interested in.

The Authorization is just a bill right now and even if enacted, it does not really provide any funds. I have a hard time understanding why Congress works this way, both and authorization and a budget. I think the authorization is supposed to come first as a sort of way to work toward consensus, establishing an upper limit on the budget, but for FY2024, the budget has already passed (long after the FY began) but the Authorization has only cleared the House and is in the Senate now. I don’t think it will take long in the Senate, but the FY is already two thirds over.

Even so, the Authorization has some interesting stuff regarding the out years. Historically the enacted budget has been larger than the Administrations budget request so this may happen. Just remember, while this suggests intention, it can not be taken for granted.

SEC. 103. AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS FOR ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT.

(a) Fiscal Year 2025.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United States Code, for fiscal year 2025—

(1) $138,500,000 is authorized for the acquisition or procurement of 1 missionized HC–130J Super Hercules aircraft;

(2) $36,000,000 is authorized for the service life extension program and any necessary upgrades of the 47-foot Motor Life Boat; and

(3) $216,000,000 is authorized for the acquisition of 2 Fast Response Cutters.

(b) Fiscal Year 2026.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 4902(2)(A) of title 14, United States Code, for fiscal year 2026—

(1) $1,200,000,000 is authorized for the acquisition of a Polar Security Cutter;

(2) $1,100,000,000 is authorized for the acquisition of 2 Offshore Patrol Cutters;

(3) $138,500,000 is authorized for the acquisition or procurement of 1 missionized HC–130J Super Hercules aircraft; and

(4) $153,500,000 is authorized to outfit and assemble 5 MH–60T Jayhawk aircrafts.

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

(a) Fiscal Year 2025.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 4902(1)(A) of title 14, United States Code, for fiscal year 2025—

(1) $11,978,000 is authorized to fund additional recruiting personnel and offices for the Coast Guard Recruiting Command;

(2) $9,000,000 is authorized to enhance Coast Guard recruiting capabilities; and

(3) $25,000,000 is authorized for the implementation of each directed action outlined in enclosure 1 of the memorandum of the Commandant titled “Commandant’s Directed Actions-Accountability and Transparency”, dated November 27, 2023.

(b) Fiscal Year 2026.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 4902(1)(A) of title 14, United States Code, $35,000,000 is authorized for the implementation of each directed action outlined in enclosure 1 of the memorandum of the Commandant titled “Commandant’s Directed Actions-Accountability and Transparency”, dated November 27, 2023.

If you are curious as I was about what “Commandant’s Directed Actions-Accountability and Transparency”, dated November 27, 2023 referred to, you can read it here.

“Coast Guard response to Key bridge collapse reveals a strained service” –DefenseNews

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NTSB drone image of Francis Scott Key Bridge and Cargo Ship Dali, 26 March 2024

Defense News reports on the Coast Guard response to the allision that brought down the Key bridge in Baltimore and how it strained the service’s resources.

“…four Coast Guard cutters, at least 10 boats…27 Coast Guard civilians, 23 volunteers, 275 active duty service members and 82 reservists…These employees have been drawn from their home stations all over the country, including some as far as Alaska and California. That also means these stations are donating staff to the recovery effort in Maryland, and the Coast Guard’s operations lead said the service doesn’t have much to spare as it is.”

It is a story of an organization that, while under stress, responded successfully. It is also a cautionary tale that if we had two such emergency operations simultaneously, full response might not be possible.

It should also be seen as a testament to the Coast Guard’s agility, responsiveness, and resilience in spite of current personnel shortages.

There is also some encouraging news about steps being taken to close the Coast Guard’s current personnel shortages.

Congress has shown its intent to take action. The House cleared a bill on May 14 to authorize $12 million to fund recruiters and offices for the Coast Guard Recruiting Command and an additional $9 million for recruiting capability in fiscal 2025. That passed in a 376-16 vote.

The bill also aims to improve quality of life for Coast Guard service members, a factor that, like pay competitiveness and work-life balance, may give the private sector an edge.

With a particularly bad Hurricane season predicted, it’s good to remind the Administration and Congress that we have to be ready to do more than normal day to day operations. The Coast Guard is more than a first responder. The Coast Guard moves resources in anticipation of disaster.

Incidentally the bill linked in the quote above is H.R.7659 – Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. It is very interesting as evidence of Congress’s intentions. Take a look but be aware the Authorization is separate from the budget and even if signed into law, the authorization does not mean projects are actually funded.

Force Protection Unit “Coast Guard cutters Sea Dog, Sea Dragon decommissioned in St. Marys, Georgia” –News Release

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Coast Guard members salute during the playing of the national anthem during a decommissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard Cutters Sea Dog and Sea Dragon in St. Marys, Georgia, May 29, 2024. Rear Adm. Douglas M. Schofield, Coast Guard District Seven Commander, presided over the ceremony honoring the years of service the Sea Dog and Sea Dragon and their crews provided to the nation. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Dickinson)

Below is a press release. The two 87 foot patrol boats were assigned to a Force Protection unit for the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) based at Kings Bay, GA.

“The Coast Guard cutters Sea Devil (WPB 87368) and Sea Fox (WPB 87374) have relocated from Bangor, Washington, to replace the Sea Dog and Sea Dragon.”

Sea Devil and Sea Fox were assigned to the Force Protection Unit that escorts SSBNs from Bangor, WA. Is that unit being decommissioned, or are they being reequipped? The two WPBs at each unit were not the only boats used by these units.

As I recall these WPBs and their operating costs were paid for by the Navy Department. In any case these decommissionings do not affect normal Coast Guard operations.

These four WPBs were equipped a bit differently from standard Marine Protector class 87 footers, including having a .50 cal. mounted in a remote weapon station on a band stand on the bow.

KEYPORT, Wash. (Aug. 18, 2009) U. S. Coast Guardsmen man the rails as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Fox (WPB 87374) is brought to life at Naval Base Kitsap. (U.S. Navy photo Ray Narimatsu/Released)

Thanks to Paul for bringing this to my attention.

May 29, 2024

PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard cutters Sea Dog, Sea Dragon decommissioned in St. Marys, Georgia

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Coast Guard decommissioned the U.S. Coast Guard cutters Sea Dog (WPB 87373) and Sea Dragon (WPB 87367), Wednesday, during a ceremony in St. Marys, Georgia.

Rear Adm. Douglas M. Schofield, Coast Guard District Seven commander, presided over the ceremony honoring the years of service the Sea Dog and Sea Dragon provided to the nation.

The Sea Dog and Sea Dragon were 87-foot marine protector-class cutters assigned to Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District.

Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay is designed to support the Navy’s efforts to provide anti-terrorism and force protection for its Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and to assist in meeting its Presidential mandates for ballistic weapon security.

The Sea Dragon was commissioned in January 2008 and the Sea Dog was commissioned in July 2009.

“The men and women of the cutters Sea Dog and Sea Dragon, past and present, have exemplified unwavering professionalism and dedication, safeguarding our nation’s waters and supporting critical defense missions,” said Capt. David Vicks, commanding officer of Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay. “I extend my profound gratitude to these courageous crews as we honor their steadfast service.”

Following the decommissioning ceremony, the cutters will be transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

The Coast Guard cutters Sea Devil (WPB 87368) and Sea Fox (WPB 87374) have relocated from Bangor, Washington, to replace the Sea Dog and Sea Dragon.

For breaking news, follow us on X (formerly Twitter). For additional information, find us on Facebook and Instagram.

On Memorial Day

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“Waters Deep” by Eileen Mahoney

“In Ocean waves no poppies blow
No crosses stand in ordered row
Their young hearts sleep beneath the wave
The spirited, the good, and the brave,
But stars a …constant vigil keep,
For them who lie beneath the deep,
‘Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer,
On a certain spot and think he’s there
But you can to the ocean go
See whitecaps marching row on row;
Know one for him will always ride,
In and out with every tide,
And when your span of life is passed
He’ll meet you at the ‘Captain’s Mast’
And they who mourn on distant shore,
For sailors who will come home no more,
Can dry their tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath the heaving seas,
For stars that shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps marching row on row
And they can never lonely be,

For when they lived They choose the sea.”

“Brazil and the United States partner to combat illegal fishing as US Coast Guard Cutter arrives in Rio de Janeiro” –News Release

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The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) moors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2024. The James arrived in Rio de Janeiro for a scheduled port visit during Operation Southern Cross 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek)

Below is a news release. This may seem a bit unusual, but it isn’t the first time a National Security Cutter has sailed the South Atlantic coast of Latin America. USCGC STONE was in Rio in March 2023. STONE also made a patrol of South Atlantic waters of Latin America in 2021 before she was even commissioned.

Cutters have also frequently participated in UNITAS exercises.

May 23, 2024

Brazil and the United States partner to combat illegal fishing as US Coast Guard Cutter arrives in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO — U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WMSL 754) arrived in the port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a scheduled visit, Monday.

This visit marks James’ third stop as the cutter continues its multi-mission deployment in the South Atlantic Ocean, exhibiting the U.S. Coast Guard’s partnership with Brazil and strengthening the interoperability of the two nations’ maritime forces to counter illicit maritime activity and promote maritime sovereignty throughout the region.

“Working with the Brazilian navy has been a successful demonstration of how our countries can work together,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Donald Terkanian, James’ commanding officer. “James has had the opportunity to enhance relations between the U.S. and Brazil while also addressing the threats posed by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, port security, and in facilitating safe and lawful maritime commerce and travel.”

James embarked Brazilian navy Lt. Cmdr. Fernando Schild in April of 2024. Brazil and the United States’ naval services both use unmanned aerial systems to provide increased maritime domain awareness across a variety of mission sets.  The embarked Brazilian officer is part of Brazil’s first ship-based unmanned aerial systems squadron, and the embarkation of this officer aboard James highlights the robust partnership between the two nations and their shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order at sea.

In recent years, the United States and Brazil have partnered to share and exchange maritime tactics, techniques, and procedures. Since 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard has provided 34 mobile training team deployments and three resident training courses to Brazil in the areas of crisis management, mobile command systems, port security, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and disaster response. Both countries are dedicated to the responsible management of marine resources, demonstrating their shared commitment through the continued integration of their naval forces.

James, staffed by 150 men and women and is one of the largest and most technologically advanced ships in the Coast Guard’s fleet. The crew is dedicated to missions including combatting drug trafficking and monitoring for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities in the Atlantic. Their work not only supports U.S. interests but also contributes to regional stability and security.

James is the fifth Legend-class national security cutter in the Coast Guard fleet and is currently homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. The national security cutters can execute the most challenging national security missions, including support to U.S. combatant commanders.

James is under the command of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. In addition to surge operations, they also allocate ships to work with partner commands and deploy to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to combat transnational organized crime and illicit maritime activity.

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.

“Combating Transnational Drug Flows,” A Conversation with the Deputy Director of Joint Interagency Task Force –South

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The US Naval Institute brings us this video from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The accompanying article provides a brief overview, but I really recommend watching the entire interview. It is excellent. It even touches on Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported fishing.

There is an acknowledgement that resources made available for interdiction have declined even while seizures are up (as is the traffic in illegal drugs), but there is also good news in the successes of partner nations.

Again, there is no substitute for watching the interview.

RIMPAC–Coast Guard Participation?

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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2022) U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Humberto Alba, a naval aircrewman tactical-helicopter, attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, deployed on U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757), looks down at a USCGC crewmember after taking off during flight operations during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon)

Below is a Third Fleet news release regarding the upcoming RIMPAC exercise. I am hoping we will see at least one story from each participating Coast Guard unit. There are likely to be several.

A National Security Cutter is almost certain to participate. I am particularly interested to see what the NSC will do. As I noted earlier, during the last two RIMPACs National Security Cutters did some interesting stuff. In 2020 Munro hosted a U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 MH-60S Helicopter. In 2022 Midget commanded a task force and hosted Navy MH-60R ASW helicopter.

Would be nice if they got to shoot their 57mm as part of the SINKEX. It’s not like they are going to prematurely sink the target. Maybe a dozen ALAMO rounds at 10,000 yards.

I would hope that, sometime in the future, we would conduct a Coast Guard SINKEX using one of our decommissioned ships. Would be good to get a practical demonstration of the effectiveness of our 57mm Mk110s.

May 21, 2024

U.S. Pacific Fleet Announces 29th RIMPAC Exercise

By Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO  –  Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.

The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class maritime training environment. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners.

This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.

During RIMPAC, integrated and prepared partners train and operate together in order to strengthen our collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

Details of RIMPAC activities and imagery are available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac and https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/RIMPAC2024. Media coverage of RIMPAC 2024 is authorized and encouraged, but in all cases will be coordinated through the Combined Joint Information Bureau (CJIB). Media interested in covering the exercise should fill out the following form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSTgxjVU15yNS-2OB_BKyzTxJQSjbVzecnbj5XU9vUke6QRQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Any additional questions/queries should be sent to rimpac.media@gmail.com, or the C3F PA team (619-767-4383). Contact information for the RIMPAC CJIB will be made available prior to the beginning of the exercise.

“What The Navy’s Ship-Launched Missiles Actually Cost” –The War Zone

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The War Zone has published a video (above) with transcript here. In addition to price, they provide a brief overview of capabilities of each system. I’ll cut to the chase and provide a “Reader’s Digest” version.

Sounds like a lot of money, but we don’t fire missiles every day. It is expensive just to keep a ship underway. As I discussed in my previous post, the cost of an operating day for a National Security Cutter is probably more than $250,000/day and I have seen much higher figures.

Just consider what courts award as compensation for wrongful death. You may not be able to put a cost on human life, but they do, and it looks like it’s well over $1M. Defending a ship and its crew is worth doing.

Back in 2020 I did a post based on a similar and perhaps more comprehensive look at the cost of missiles. That post also linked three previous posts that looked at how much it might cost to up-arm Coast Guard vessels here, here, and here.

If you compare the cost figures in the two reports, you might be surprised to find that the costs have not changed much in almost four years and in some cases have actually gone down.

There is another list of costs here, based on 2021 purchases.

It is worth noting that, upgrading cutters, should there be a decision to do so, looks like a real bargain compared to adding another ship to the Navy, arming, manning, and maintaining it. Of course, the Coast Guard would have to pay for the additional personnel to maintain and operate additional equipment, but the Navy does pay for the Coast Guard’s weapon systems.

USCGC Blackfin (WPB-87317) and USCGC Forrest Rednour (WPC-1129) in Costa Rica

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Pulled this off the U. S. Coast Guard Pacific Southwest Facebook page after seeing a post by Bill James.

“The Costa Rican Coast Guard hosted crews from the @USCGC Forrest Rednour- WPC 1129 and Blackfin – WPB 87317 during a subject matter exchange in Golfito, Costa Rica May 15 and 16. The Coast Guard’s IUUF Center of Excellence facilitated a valuable exchange of best practices and raised the awareness of participating agencies concerning Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. The exchange was attended by Costa Rican Coast Guard (SNG), Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (INCOPESCA), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) on Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and the Inter-American Tropical Tunas Commission. These efforts greatly amplify diplomatic progress towards broader bilateral ties with Costa Rica to counter the challenges of IUUF and other forms of illicit maritime activity.”

Surprised they sent an 87 footer to Costa Rica. Could be because we will be transferring one or more to the Costa Rican Coast Guard? Costa Rica already has two former USCG Island class cutters.

BALTIMORE, MD, UNITED STATES, 02.13.2018, Costa Rican Coast Guard 1st Agent Davis Herrera stands watch over the newly acquired 110-foot patrol boat given to the Costa Rican Coast Guard by the U.S. Coast Guard at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, Feb. 13, 2018. Two of the former U.S. Coast Guard cutters are now Costa Rican Coast Guard Libertador class patrol boats. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Hodges)

The USCG has had a long-term relationship with Costa Rica that goes back more than 50 years with a liaison officer having been stationed there. The relationship may go back as far as the founding of the Costa Rican Coast Guard in 1949.

While historically US Navy ships have not been welcomed in Costa Rica, Coast Guard cutters have been welcomed.

Blackfin is homeported in Santa Barbara and Forrest Readnour in San Pedro, CA.

This is from 1989, but good background. Looks like a lot has changed.

NSC and FRC Participate in Navy COMTUEX

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USCGC Stone completes an Underway Replenishment.

The Navy League’s online magazine, Seapower, has a report on a recent Navy/Marine Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), “WASP ARG AND 24TH MEU COMPLETE JOINT FORCE’S MOST COMPLEX TRAINING,” that included an interesting note,

“U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) East, USCGC Stone (WMSL 758), and USCGC Angela McShan (WPC 1135) participated in numerous events alongside the Navy and Marine Corps team to train and increase proficiency.”

I think this is a bit unusual, so it raised some questions in my mind. Training for doing LE boardings is normal and using a Coast Guard patrol craft to play an opposing force would not be that unusual, but the presence of USCGC Stone, a national security cutter (NSC), seems out of the ordinary. Is this just a one off or is there significance for Coast Guard Defense Readiness planning? Was this an experiment?

This particular COMTUEX was also otherwise unusual because an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) does not normally have a destroyer attached.

So why would an NSC be involved? There are several possibilities, some mundane, some perhaps groundbreaking.

The post reports the training included, “events such as live-fire exercises, strait transits, maritime security exercises, amphibious landings, maritime interdiction, non-combatant evacuation operations, foreign humanitarian assistance, and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) engagements.”

  • We know Stone did an Underway Replenishment.
  • There was an opportunity for formation steaming.
  • It may have been an opportunity to do some cross deck helicopter operations.
  • If Stone is to be included in the upcoming RIMPAC exercise (June and July), this would have been a good tune-up.

Now I will offer a couple of more imaginative, some will say imaginary, possibilities.

If an amphibious operation is conducted, Coast Guard units might provide SAR in case any of the landing craft are sunk. An NSC with Helicopter(s) would make a good SAR commander, while FRCs could follow the landing craft close into the beach, just as cutters did during the Normandy invasion.

Until recently, ARGs have generally operated without escort vessels. While operating off the hostile shore of a near peer adversary would probably require more than one AAW escort, there may have been a recognition that even during long transits from the West Coast, there may be a submarine threat.

The destroyer in this case, USS Cole (DDG 67), was a Burke class Flight I. When they were designed, they were expected to accompany aircraft carriers that had both fixed and rotary wing ASW aircraft in their air wing, so their design did not include helicopter hangars. The carrier based fixed wing aircraft are no longer active, and an ARG does not normally include ASW helicopters. Having seen National Security Cutters hosting Navy H-60s during the last two RIMPAC exercises, perhaps pairing an NSC with a Flight I Burke class DDG could provide a roost for ASW helicopters near the center of the formation while allowing the DDG greater flexibility in its positioning. The cutter could also function as plane guard, following the big deck amphib the way an escort is normally assigned to follow a carrier in case an aircraft goes into the water.

(During the Second Gulf War a WHEC assigned to a Carrier Strike Group functioned as plane guard and also provided a TACAN beacon because the one on the carrier was inoperative. All the other escorts had departed the scene to be in position to launch a Tomahawk missile strike.)