Storm Warnings Raised over Readiness Concerns
By Capt. Gordon I. This June's two-year anniversary of the Coast Guard's award of contract for the Integrated Deepwater System reflects steady progress in efforts to modernize the nation's maritime guardians, but heightened concerns over falling readiness have led some congressional lawmakers to renew calls to accelerate the comprehensive 20-plus-year recapitalization program. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas H. Collins described his concern over current readiness trends in early March during congressional testimony on the Bush administration's proposed fiscal year 2005 budget. "Our greatest threat to mission performance continues to be that our aircraft…
USCG Deepwater: Centerpiece of Coast Guard Transformation
By Gordon I. Throughout the Cold War, the need to maintain strong military forces to deter war with the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact was a mainstay of U.S. national security policy. During today's global war on terrorism, similar linkages exist between a more capable U.S. Coast Guard, improved homeland security, and the deterrence or defeat of a terrorist attack in the maritime domain. The 9/11 Commission Report clearly describes this nexus. "Our report shows that the terrorists analyze defenses," the Commission wrote. "They plan accordingly. Defenses cannot achieve perfect safety. They make targets harder to attack successfully, and they deter attacks by making capture more likely.
Deepwater Topic of Congressional Hearing
Implementation of the U.S. Coast Guard’s program to replace and modernize over 90 ships and 200 aircraft used in its offshore missions - including drug and migrant interdiction, homeland security and fisheries law enforcement - will be the topic of a Congressional oversight hearing on Wednesday. The hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20th in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. - Admiral Thomas A. Accompanied by Rear Admiral Patrick M. The Coast Guard began planning a recapitalization program to replace existing deepwater-capable assets in 1996.
USCG Commandant Testifies on Deepwater Plan
WASHINGTON - The Commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thomas H. Collins, testified on July 21, 2005, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security regarding the Coast Guard's revised plan to replace its aging fleet of deepwater assets. Collins's written statement follows. "Good morning, Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for taking the time to meet again to discuss the Integrated Deepwater System’s revised implementation plan. It is the number one Coast Guard priority and the cornerstone of our maritime capabilities now and in the future. As such, I appreciate very much the continued time and deliberation you have been willing to spend to examine all aspects of the acquisition.
