Why does the Coast Guard operate its ships far from home? Why do they participate in military exercises?
Isn't it time to revamp or better yet, remission the Coast Guard?
They're not the Navy. They have a distinctive mission outside of war. They have limited resources.
Its time for them to give up a warfighting role. Rescue, and law enforcement only. That's how you save the Coast Guard.
SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 12, 2010) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mellon (WHEC 717) pass each other during a surface gunfire exercise. Chung-Hoon, Mellon and other U.S. and Republic of Singapore Navy ships are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore 2010. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim McLendon/Released)
Excellent point about the Coast Guard in foreign waters. A cutter was even deployed to Georgia during the crisis there. Given the issues with the National Security Cutter, it would seem prudent to scale back the capability requirements for foreign deployments and missions to focus more on the law enforcement, rescue and border security.
ReplyDeleteHowever, these does seem to be a need to meet the foreign humanitarian mission requirements. But perhaps that is best left to the US Navy and its support ships.
I have some family who have been or are in the CG, and they tell me that sometimes they get "ordered" into those types of events away from US Shores b/c A: no one else was available (meaning the Navy) and B: the State Dept wants the US Flag flown in an area so they tap the CG.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my cousin tells me that the Asian stuff can make some sense since the Coast Guard regularly makes trips to US outliers like Guam and such. My two cousins in the Navy however point out that should the SHTF, the Navy will be the one in harms way and the CG will run for US coastal waters. :) Being from Charleston, SC, a lot of the family has gone into the Marines, Navy and Coast Guard (my dad settled in Charleston after his navy career as a petty officer) and I hear this same question often "Why does the US Coast Guard operate in foreign waters?". Always makes for a fun thanksgiving
Can this issue be related to an overstretch of the US Navy? I really don't know, i haven't heard of similar moves from other countries, usually coast guard stays home to guard the coast :-).
ReplyDeleteIt's not just about military operations and the Navy can support these exercises. CARAT and other exercises like it also provide a opportunity for the countries to work together and build relationships. Those countries may not sail all the way to the US waters to do this. The benefit of this type of training is that when disaster strikes, whether a security or natural disaster response, countries can work together cohesively and quickly to save lives.
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