Coast Guard may get new Arctic policy

[JohnP]

Coast Guard may get new Arctic policy

By Amy McCullough - amccullough@militarytimes.com
Posted : Tuesday Dec 30, 2008 10:12:41 EST

The Coast Guard has undergone many changes in the last two years, and 2009 won’t be any different.

One looming question — the service’s Arctic policy — will likely be answered with the release of a comprehensive report outlining not only what the service’s new responsibilities should be, but also what equipment will be necessary to complete the mission.

Commandant Adm. Thad Allen, who took command in 2006 with a goal of transforming the service, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Arctic, saying the melting of the ice caps, an increase in oil exploration and additional shipping and cruise routes in the polar region are taxing the fleet, which now must patrol areas that used to be ice.

However, until that report is released, the Arctic mission remains unclear.

The Coast Guard’s Polar icebreaking fleet consists of the cutters Polar Sea and Polar Star, both commissioned in the 1970s and well past their prime. The cutter Healy also is used in the area, although it was primarily designed for Arctic scientific research. The Polar Sea’s life expectancy was extended to 2014 thanks to a major overhaul in 2006. The oldest icebreaker, the Polar Star, has been laid up since 2006.

The Coast Guard received $30.3 million for the Polar Sea in the fiscal 2009 Homeland Security budget, but it won’t be enough to get the vessel fully operational. The highly anticipated Arctic report may help the service decide if that money should be used to get the aging icebreaker back in service or if a new icebreaker is warranted.

Other likely highlights for 2009:

• The national security cutter Waesche also is expected to begin its sea trials in the new year.

The Waesche, named after the Coast Guard’s first commandant, Adm. Russell R. Waesche, will be the second of eight planned national security cutters. At 418 feet, and designed to be fleet’s flagships, the highly advanced vessels will replace the 378-foot Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters that entered service in the 1960s.

• The Government Accountability Office should reach a decision on the service’s patrol boat replacement program shortly after the start of the new year. The program was put on hold in October after contractor Marinette Marine Corp. protested the service’s decision to award the $88 million contract for the fast response cutter to rival Bollinger Shipyards, which played a role in the failed conversions of the 110-foot cutters into 123-foot cutters.

The protest was filed Oct. 7 and the GAO has up to 100 days to render a decision.

• More Coast Guardsmen will be seeing the new 45-foot response boat-medium in the new year.

Full production of about 30 boats per year is expected to begin in 2009 and continue to about 2015, according to the Coast Guard Web site. The fifth RBM was delivered in December.

The RBM will replace the service’s utility boats and can reach speeds approaching 40 knots, and possess the capability to “walk sideways” allowing it to fit into much tighter spaces despite being nearly 4 feet longer than its predecessor.

• Five special Coasties will find their place in history as the first Coast Guardsmen to go through Navy SEAL training.

Four officers and one enlisted member were selected from 19 applicants to go through the elite program.

If any or all of them make it through the nearly two years of training, they will be assigned to a SEAL team for five to seven years, although officially they will remain part of the Coast Guard.

Those who successfully complete the service commitment are not required to return to the Coast Guard, although that is the goal.

It is not clear when the Coasties will enter training, but it likely won’t be before February.

[JohnP]

I have a few questions about the Coasties in the Seals. If there is anyone out there who can answer them or give an insiders view of it, I would appreciate it.

What is the purpose of having Coast Guard in a Seal Unit? I know that the roles of the Coast Guard have changed since the inception of 9/11 and the War on Drugs. They have done actual combat in all wars defending our coast and in support operation around the world. However, what Special Operations specialties does a Coastie bring to the Seals? As Feelin' Froggie can explain, Seals are not just Seals, just like a Ranger is not just a Ranger. To be qualified to be a Seal, you still have to have a primary military specialty, (example, corpsman, machinist, ect). What specialty do these young men bring to the table that the Navy already doesn't have?

How will that enhance our border security? Froggy, the last time I played in the water was with the UDT teams out of the Caribbean, these men had a mission that enhanced our border security and our national policies, am I missing something?

If it is so important for Seals to be in the Coast Guard, why not transfer then into the Coast Guard? When the Army needs advice on a full time basis about Air tactics they turn the Air Liaison Officer (ALO) or the Tactical Airlift Liaison Officer (TALO) (i.e. Wukong). They don't send their officers to fixed wing flight school to learn to how to use the tactics. The same goes for the Air Force when they need a representative from the Army, they have a Ground Liaison Officer (GLO) assigned a wing level for this representation.

Someone guide me in the right direction.

[FeelinFroggy]

I read this a while back and thought it would be a nice addition to the discussion. http://www.defensetech.org/archives/004369.html

I know in recent years there has been a push for more SEALs, and this may be an attempt at just that. However, if I read correctly the CG is only sending four of it's own to enter BUD/s annually, and the odds are against such a low number to have at least one of them complete the training. Seems as though they want "highly trained individuals to return to leadership positions within the Coast Guard" but aren't willing, or unable to send an adequate number of bodies to strengthen their chances.

Here's my outlook on the matter.

You want to become a SEAL? Join the Navy.

John P,

However, what Special Operations specialties does a Coastie bring to the Seals?

Specialties would be taught after BUD/s during SQT and later training on an individual basis. As for what a Coastie may bring to the table? Rescue swimmers might have some value, others would learn certain specialties during the training.

[soccermark23]

It may just be an attempt to increase the number of special operators. A lot of focus has been pressed on the fact that our special operations community is stretched out between both wars. By allowing members of the Coast Guard to apply for SEAL Training it is opening up another avenue to getting more individuals into the qualification process.

If any or all of them make it through the nearly two years of training, they will be assigned to a SEAL team for five to seven years, although officially they will remain part of the Coast Guard.

I think this quote is an essential part of the argument. It's not like these guys are going to get trained and then go back to their old Coast Guard job. They will become SEALs and even though technically still members of the Coast Guard, they will be performing the duties of a Navy Seal. Ultimately I really think it is just a way to get more people into the pipe-line.