Zukunft: Western Hemisphere a Top USCG Priority
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft addressed transnational threats and maritime challenges at the Center for Strategic and International Studies as part of the Maritime Security Dialogue, Friday, emphasizing major goals within the Western Hemisphere.
The Maritime Security Dialogue, which highlights challenges facing the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, from national-level maritime policy to naval concept development and program design, provided Zukunft an opportunity to speak about the Coast Guard’s evolving role in the 21st century and strategic goals for his term as the USCG’s 25th commandant.
One major goal, Zukunft noted, is the Coast Guard’s responsibility and commitment to the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. faces significant emerging threats on our southern borders and transit zones specifically due to the rapid growth of transnational criminal organizations that fuel violence and instability throughout the region, Zukunft said. The Coast Guard’s Western Hemisphere Strategy, released in September 2014, addresses these challenges in the Western Hemisphere and outlines a long-term guide for operational success. The strategy has three priorities: combating networks, securing borders and safeguarding commerce.
Zukunft highlighted the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell’s recent success as part of the Western Hemisphere Strategy. The crew of the San Diego-based cutter interdicted more than half a billion dollars of contraband from 13 interdictions during a recent patrol off of Central and South America.
He stressed that the Western Hemisphere Strategy will help to ensure the Coast Guard will continue to be the leader in maritime security.
uscgnews.com
