OS-507 -- US Coast Guard
LESSON OBJECTIVES
507.1 Comprehend the capabilities and limitations of US military forces [I.1(a)].
HISTORY:
Functional successor to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service (RCS) established in 1790 as a federal agency responsible for customs laws.
Established by Congress as the Coast Guard on 4 August 1915 by combining the RCS and the Lifesaving Service.
Transferred from the Treasury to the Department of Transportation in 1967.
During war, or when directed by the President, the Coast Guard becomes part of the Navy.
Derives many of its functions from Title 14, USC.
507.11 Describe the roles and missions of the US Coast Guard.
The 4 primary mission areas of the US Coast Guard are:
Many operational roles:
Besides the well-known operation of search and rescue (SAR), the Coast Guard also performs (but is not limited to) the following roles:
Aids to Navigation - The USCG promotes safe and efficient passage of marine
traffic by providing accurate and continuous all-weather position-fixing capability. The
USCG maintains short- and long-range aids to navigation such as lighthouses, buoys,
daymarks, and long-range radio navigation transmitters LORAN and OMEGA.
Alien Migration Interdiction - The Coast Guard patrols the maritime approaches to the United States to deter and interdict aliens attempting to enter illegally.
Boating Safety - The USCG promotes uniform federal and state boating regulations and improved boat design and construction. The volunteer civilian arm of the service, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, assists the USCG by teaching safe boating courses, performing courtesy boat evaluations, and patrolling.
National Security - USCG members maintain constant readiness to ensure the security of US ports and waterways in wartime. Coast Guard flag officers command maritime defense zones. Maritime defense zone assets include US Navy and Coast Guard people, ships, aircraft, and facilities. In addition, members of the USCG have participated in every US war fought since 1790, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
Drug Interdiction - The Coast Guard is the primary federal agency charged with drug interdiction at sea. All Coast Guard officers, warrant officers, and petty officers are federal law enforcement officers. USCG Law Enforcement Detachments also serve on US Navy ships in the war against drugs.
Environmental Response - The Coast Guard responds to environmental problems to minimize damage caused by pollutants released in the coastal zone. The USCG is responsible for overcoming or reducing the threat to the marine environment from spills of oil or hazardous substances, and for assisting in national and international pollution response planning efforts. Several USCG "strike teams" are located around the country and are ready to respond at a moment's notice.
Marine Inspection - The USCG develops and enforces standards and policies to guarantee the safe design, construction, maintenance, and operation of commercial vessels and offshore facilities.
Marine Licensing - The Coast Guard licenses all Merchant Marine officers and seamen on US-flag vessels, and regulates the manning of commercial vessels.
Port Safety and Security - The USCG safeguards the nation's ports, waterways, waterfront facilities and vessels, and people from accidental or intentional damage or injury. The USCG ensures that strategic ports are available for use in deployment of US forces.
Waterways Management - The Coast Guard develops and operates active and passive traffic management techniques and safety procedures. The USCG uses a systems approach to waterway management that encompasses ships, docks, bridges, and port facilities.
507.12 Describe the organization of the US Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard has a lengthy list of statutory authorities that oblige the service to
conduct diverse duties. It derives many of its functions from Title 14, U.S.C. Under this
title, the Coast Guard is a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the
United States at all times, not just in wartime or when the President directs.
Title 14 USC 2 states in part that the Coast Guard on the high seas and waters subject to US jurisdiction (in some cases under and above these waters) shall:
Under Section 3 of Title 14 the Coast Guard's relationship to the Navy Department is
modified to allow the Coast Guard to operate as a service in the Navy upon the declaration
of war or when the President directs.
PEOPLE:
| Active Military | 38,281 |
| Selected Reserve | 31,140 |
| Civilian | 5,920 |
| Auxiliary | 35,700 |
CUTTERS:
A cutter is any USCG vessel 65 feet or longer and has adequate accommodations for crew members to live on board. Cutters over 180 feet in length are under the Pacific Area or Atlantic Area command. Cutters between 111 and 180 feet are generally under district commands. Cutters shorter than 111 feet are usually assigned to groups. The Coast Guard uses the following classes of cutters and other vessels:
High-Endurance Cutters - These 12 cutters are 378 feet in length, operate at speeds up to 30 knots, and have a complement of 176 officers and enlisted. A recent modernization of high-endurance cutters has increased their capabilities to perform USCG and national security missions. They normally perform long-range fisheries and law enforcement patrols, which generally last 30-45 days. Each of these cutters is capable of carrying one helicopter.
Medium-Endurance Cutters - There are thirteen 270-foot cutters of the Famous class, sixteen 210 footers, three 213 footers, and one each with lengths of 230, 205, and 180 feet. These ships have from 68 to 82 people assigned and have speeds from 14 to 18 knots. Their primary missions include law enforcement, defense operations, and search and rescue.
Icebreakers - The two 399 foot-long Polar-class icebreakers serve in the Arctic and Antarctic. Each carries a crew of 155 people, two helicopters, and about a dozen scientists. The 290-foot cutter Mackinaw exclusively serves in the Great Lakes. Icebreakers' primary missions are ice operations, marine science, search and rescue, and law enforcement.
Surface-Effect Ships - Three 110-foot cutters operate at 30 knots in the Caribbean performing drug interdiction, alien migrant interdiction, fisheries patrols, search and rescue, and defense operations. These vessels have rigid sidewalls and ride on a cushion of air. They have 17 crew members.
Buoy Tenders - There are more than 70 buoy tenders of 65 to 180 feet in length. The larger ones are seagoing tenders; the smaller are coastal, inland, and river tenders to care for more than 49,000 aids to navigation.
Icebreaking Tugs - Nine tugs of 140 feet (each carrying 18 crew members) extend the shipping season in the Great Lakes and along the East Coast. They are also used for law enforcement, search and rescue, and training.
Patrol Boats - There are about 100 in the Island (110 feet) and Point (82 feet) classes. The older 82s are being retired and replaced by the faster and more capable 110s. Crews of 17 or 10 members are commanded by an O-2 (lieutenant junior grade) or an E-9 (master chief petty officer), and perform law enforcement and search and rescue.
Training Cutter - The famous sailing ship, USCGC Eagle, is the Coast
Guard's cadet and officer training ship. Besides training the majority of the officers in
the USCG, this ship has served as an ambassador of goodwill for nearly 50 years.
Aircraft:
The Coast Guard maintains a fleet of more than 200 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to support all missions of the service. These aircraft are stationed at nearly 30 air stations and on flight-deck-equipped cutters. USCG aircraft include:
HC-130H Hercules - 31 of these four-engine turboprops serve in long-range law enforcement patrols, search and rescue missions, and logistic operations. Equipped with SLAR, APS 137 radar/FLIR, GPS, IFF mode 4, secure communication, TCAS, RNAV, and all weather capability.
HU-25 Guardians - 41 of these twin-jets perform aircraft interception, law enforcement, logistic, and search and rescue operations. Equipped with SLAR, APS 137 radar/FLIR, GPS, IFF mode 4, secure communication, TCAS, RNAV, and all weather capability.
RG-8A Condor - 9 two single-engine, fixed-wing, reconnaissance aircraft are being upgraded to be even more effective in drug interdiction.
HH-3F and CH-313 Pelican - The last of these rotary-wing aircraft will retire in 1994 after serving for 30 years. Pelican crew members have saved countless lives and participated in law enforcement operations.
HH-65A Dolphin - This is the most numerous of CG aircraft, this twin-engine helicopter is the backbone of the search and rescue fleet. Ninety-six Dolphins participate in all USCG missions, including polar operations. Equipped with day/night/IFR/radar, hoist, rescue swimmer, GPS, and secure communications.
HH-60J Jayhawk - 35 of these helicopters are in the inventory and approximately
40 are projected. This aircraft serves in medium-range operations, including search and
rescue and law enforcement. Equipped with day/night/IFR/radar, hoist, rescue swimmer, GPS,
and secure communications.
Small Boats
The Coast Guard operates more than 2,000 small boats, from 16 to 63 feet in
length. These boats include motor lifeboats, motor surfboats, utility boats, surface
rescue boats, fast coastal interceptors, port security boats, ports and waterways boats,
aids to navigation boats, Boston Whalers, skiffs, and inflatable boats. Some are carried
aboard large cutters. Most operate near shore and on inland waters.
507.13 Describe the expeditionary capabilities of the US Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard currently conducts no military operations as a single service but does have operating forces participating in naval, joint, and combined operations.
Forward-Presence Operations:
The following expeditionary capabilities were listed on the Stubbs article:
507.14 Describe the capabilities, composition, and missions of a carrier
battlegroup.
I don't know what this has to do with the Coast Guard, but it is a great place to talk
about the military capabilities of the Coast Guard:
High Endurance Cutters: (12), 76 mm main battery, 25mm machine guns, Harpoon Anti-ship missiles, Phalanx (CIWS), 176 people, and 29+ knots.
Medium Endurance Cutters: (13/14), 40mm battery, .50 cal machine guns, 80-100 people, Harpoon missiles.
Polar-class: (2), ice 6 ft thick continuous, 20 ft thick back/ram, 2 helos, 28,000 mile range, 140 people.
Patrol boats : (49), 20mm battery, M60 machine guns, 16 people, 30+ knots.
Buoy tenders: (40+), various lengths from 65-180 ft, only small hand held personal weapons.
Small boats: (2000+), only small hand held personal weapons.
507.2 Comprehend the relationship between Service doctrine and joint doctrine[I.2
(d)]
507.21 Describe the current doctrines in use by the US Coast Guard in support of
the National Security and National Military Strategies and used by the US Coast Guard to
support the National Security Strategy, National Military Strategy, and theater CINC
objectives.
COAST GUARD DOCTRINE:
"Provide complimentary non-redundant capabilities such as port security,
harbor defense, coastal SLOC protection, U.S. presence in Low Threat areas (LIC),
non-combatant SAR, response to environmental terrorism, foreign political support &
nation building." (0s507.ppt)
US Commanders in Chief's Views:
Three of the CINCs in the survey believe that there is a Coast Guard role in National Security and have the following to say:
Brown-water operations with enhanced combat suites on the 110-foot patrol boats are realistic scenarios in which cutters could prove useful and effective.
In a climate of decreasing budgets and the perception of a diminished threat, it is increasingly important that Coast Guard cutters be able to function as naval combatants.
A simple, reliable point defense system, a simpler and smaller ASCM (antiship cruise missile) than Harpoon, and a simple, reliable ESM (electronic surveillance measure) sensor would do much to enhance the Bear and Reliance class cutters.
Definite role for Coast Guard in regional or LIC similar to that seen during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESSERT STORM. Coast Guard proved "invaluable."
The fourth CINC who gives a qualified no response states that "once the new craft (thirteen 170-foot coastal patrol boats) are in the inventory, Naval Special Warfare forces will have a strong and flexible coastal patrol boat capability well into the next century." However, this CINC considers the Coast Guard "as an augmenting force. Should the scope of the conflict exceed DoD capability (too much coastline, not enough assets, etc), Coast Guard patrol boats could be employed."
One warfighting CINC adds: "Since the USCG works in the riverine and coastal environments, its associated skills and craft inventory provide potential capabilities to support both major and lesser regional conflicts or participate in peacetime engagement activities. However, it should be highlighted that there are no laws or directives that would preclude the USCG from playing an active role in either operational spectrum."
He also asks: "If the Coast Guard is to support regional conflicts and increase its role in peacetime activities, established capabilities would have to be exercised periodically to ensure readiness and interoperability with DoD forces. The bottom line is: Can the Coast Guard assume more responsibilities given its present employment schedule?"
Another combatant CINC says, "that DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM demonstrated that the Coast Guard has a role in regional conflicts and that "the requirement for Coast Guard participation in such conflicts can be expected to continue into the future."
507.22 Explain how the Coast Guard envisions the employment of naval forces in
support of a theater campaign/operation today.
As required by Title 14, the Coast Guard maintains a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war and has command responsibilities for the maritime defense zone (MDZ). MDZ commands belong to the US Navy. They are third echelon commands headed by the Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area Commanders, who report to the commanders of the Pacific and Atlantic fleets respectively. These commands are principally concerned with naval threats to the US coast and ports; as such, they concentrate on port security, harbor defense, and coastal warfare.
In addition to MDZ command responsibilities, Coast Guard forces can perform a range of naval warfare duties for the Navy; for example, antisubmarine warfare (ASW), convoy escort, search and rescue, salvage, surveillance and interdiction, and aids to navigation.
The Coast Guard operates the nation's polar icebreakers to project US national presence and protect national interests in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The polar vessels also support the research requirements of the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense (DoD) requirement for resupply of their facilities in the polar regions.
As mentioned, the Coast Guard's port safety and port security function overlaps into three mission areas: maritime safety, maritime environmental protection, and political-military. Under the political-military mission area, Coast Guard port safety and security units plan and coordinate emergency port preparedness functions. Port safety and security functions also include supervising cargo transfer operations (both storage and stowage), boarding of special interest vessels, conducting harbor patrols and waterfront facility inspections, establishing security zones as required, and the control of vessel movement, including the operation of vessel traffic services. In contingencies, COTPs assure the safety and waterside security of ships in military deployments from strategic seaports. The Coast Guard also plans for maritime terrorist incidents, as the initial agency on scene to contain and stabilize the incident, and then to support the lead federal agency, either the FBI or DoD.
Due to the Coast Guard's humanitarian image and less threatening military presence,
the service has supported the nation's foreign policy goals and protected national
interests in a number of instances. Small navy security assistance, crisis response, and
humanitarian aid are examples of using the Coast Guard's singular capabilities to attain
national objectives.
507.23 Explain how the Coast Guard envisions the employment of naval forces in
support of a theater campaign/operation in the future.
The majority of respondents (Senior officers from the Coast Guard, Navy, and Washington D.C. "Think Tank" scholars) from the survey in Stubbs article (os50752.doc) indicate, that the Coast Guard's future national security role would continue to reside in its current area of expertise. These participants cite the Coast Guard's vast civil responsibilities, law enforcement powers, and coastal waters expertise as valuable supporters to the US national security strategy.
The responses are based upon the survey question one:
"What specialized service' could the Coast Guard perform for DoD in the next century is there a gap in DoD's capabilities that the Coast Guard could fill?"
The respondents recommend a wide range of future missions:
Downsizing And Efficient Use Of Assets:
One item that was brought up in the Stubbs article, was with the Cold War ended, "downsizing," & shrinking budgets, the Coast Guard and the Navy are going to have to work together to reduce overlap of services and increase efficiency. Areas that were discussed in the article were as follows:
Coast Guard Remain Part Of The Armed Forces?
There was also a lot of discussion on whether the Coast Guard should remain a part of the Armed Forces, or should they be relegated to only U. S. internal interests (could we save a lot of money?). The author didn't think so and either did I. For the amount spent the MDZ, equipping the larger cutters with anti-ship weapons, and electronic warfare equipment, I think that we have spent our money well.
Stubbs says:
"In summary, there is no longer a requirement for Coast Guard forces to have a
military capability. Only the possibility of providing Coast Guard forces for coastal
and/or littoral operations in regional contingencies provides any valid requirement for
the Coast Guard to maintain a military capability. This poses a fundamental policy issue.
Does the Coast Guard need to maintain a relevant, credible, and useful military capability
to underpin its continued status as an armed force in the post-Cold War era? The short
answer is yes." (Stubbs)
"The Coast Guard needs to maintain some level of military utility because the
Coast Guard's status as an armed force underwrites its unique ability to conduct a wide
range of disparate missions in both the domestic and national security arenas. Without
military utility, the Coast Guard becomes just another domestic agency and loses its
multimission flexibility." (Stubbs)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Comprehend the capabilities and limitations of US military forces across the range
of military operations, to include command relationships, force development and
organization, and the concepts of deployment, employment, sustainment, and redeployment
(OPMEP Learning Area 1).
READINGS
<:AU-16 Employment of Navy and Marine Forces. A real good short reading (5 pages) that is almost the same as the Power Point slides. (os507r1.doc)
Excerpts from "The United States Coast Guard's National Security Role in the Twenty-First Century," Stubbs A long reading (37 pages) that could say the same thing in a few well thought out pages. Overall, it reviews the opinions of many of the senior Coast Guard, Navy, and "Think tank" personnel on the question "Is there a role for the Coast Guard in regional contingencies?" (os507r2.doc)
OPTIONAL READINGS (non-testable material): For more information on Coast Guard issues,
we suggest you visit the following web site: The Coast Guard Homepage (www.dot.gov/dotinfo/uscg)
READING RATIONALE
AU-16 provides a broad-based overview of the US Coast Guard's roles and functions.
The excerpt from the Stubbs publication provides an overview of the various surface and air assets utilized by the Coast Guard and discusses the important contributions to national security and maritime safety the Coast Guard makes in conducting its assigned missions.
LESSON OUTLINE
Thesis: United States Coast Guard forces provide the National Command Authority and Theater commanders with unique capabilities for response to a wide variety of crises and tasks. Full understanding of the roles, functions, and capabilities of the US Coast Guard is essential to the joint staff operational and campaign planners in responding to regional crises and contingencies that arise around the world.
Main Point I: Review and discuss the roles, functions, capabilities, and doctrine utilized by the US Coast Guard into support of the National Security Strategy, National Military Strategy, and Theater commanders.
Main Point II: Review and discuss the future roles, functions, capabilities, and
doctrine that may be utilized by the US Coast Guard into the 21st century.
LESSON INTEGRATION AND RATIONALE
This lesson presents the basic comprehension elements of the roles, functions, doctrine,
and force structure used by the United States Coast Guard in executing the National
Security/National Military Strategies as well as Theater Commander's objectives, execute
the National Security Strategy, National Military Strategy, and theater commander's
objectives. This lesson is one of the required cornerstones for understanding joint
military operations and planning. Concepts and knowledge gained in this lesson will be
utilized, and applied in the Air Campaign, Joint Operations, and Force 2025 courses, as
well as in the Joint Warrior Wargame and operational exercises used into support of the
overall curriculum.
LESSON OPR: War/Theater Level Studies Department.