Coast Guard exercises contract option for 10 fast response cutters
Sept. 10, 2025 - On Sep. 9, the Coast Guard exercised a contract option with Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana, to fund construction of 10 additional fast response cutters (FRCs). This option, valued at $507 million, supports the Coast Guard’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts and expanded global maritime mission.
Coast Guard modifies contract for pier construction at Base Charleston
Sept. 3, 2025 - The Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center completed a contract modification with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company Aug. 25 to remove up to 100 submerged concrete piles under the old Pier November at Base Charleston in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Coast Guard awards contract to kick off modernization at Base Seattle
Sept. 3, 2025 - The Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center (FDCC) awarded a contract Aug. 27 to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for the first phase of work that will support homeporting of Coast Guard cutters at Base Seattle, including future polar security cutters (PSC).
Coast Guard awards contract for next generation trailerable aids to navigation boats
Aug. 29, 2025 - The Coast Guard Office of Boat Forces awarded a contract Aug. 27 to Inventech Marine Solutions to build up to 89 second-generation trailerable aids to navigation boats (TANB II) to replace the existing trailerable aids to navigation boats (TANB), which were introduced in 2006 and are at the end of their planned service lives.
Coast Guard awards contract for aids-to-navigation cutter boats
Aug. 29, 2025 - The Coast Guard on Aug. 29 awarded a fixed price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to North River Boats of Roseburg, Oregon to procure up to 66 cutter boats to support critical aids to navigation (ATON) and other missions that maintain the safety and security of America’s waterways. The total potential value of the contract, which was awarded as a total small business set aside, is approximately $11.8 million.
Two major shore infrastructure projects completed at Base Kodiak
Aug. 15, 2025 - Celebrating a significant milestone for operational readiness and family support in the Coast Guard Arctic District, Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, and Troy Edgar, deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, marked the completion of two major infrastructure projects totaling $131 million with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Base Kodiak on Aug. 11. Base Kodiak is the largest operational facility in the Coast Guard and a critical provider of U.S. presence and capability in the Arctic region, supporting both surface and aviation operations.
Coast Guard closes out deliveries of cutter boat class, begins production of next generation boats
Aug. 6, 2025 - The Coast Guard Boat Acquisition Program reached a significant milestone on May 13 with the delivery of the final fourth generation over the horizon (OTH IV) cutter boat. Coinciding with that event and as part of the ongoing mission to deliver mission-ready OTH cutter boats to the fleet, the program also coordinated acceptance of the first fifth generation (OTH V) cutter boats.
Production begins on offshore patrol cutter Icarus
Aug. 6, 2025 - The Coast Guard joined Austal USA on Aug. 5 at the contractor’s facility in Mobile, Alabama, to mark the start of production of future Coast Guard Cutter Icarus. Icarus is the second of up to 11 cutters that will be delivered to the Coast Guard through the Stage 2 contract with Austal USA and one of four OPCs under contract for production. Icarus was put on contract on July 31.
Coast Guard international office delivers value at home and abroad
Aug. 5, 2025 - The Coast Guard Office of International Acquisition has delivered more than $1 billion in assets and services to partner nations in support of national security objectives through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programs. The total represents more than 700 vessels, aircraft and related support delivered to more than 80 countries since the Coast Guard office was reorganized in 1997.
Aviation Projects Acquisition Center celebrates change of command
Aug. 5, 2025 - Capt. Ryan Angelo assumed the duties of commanding officer of the Coast Guard Aviation Projects Acquisition Center (APAC) on June 26, 2025. The change of command ceremony, held at the facility in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, was presided over by Rear Adm. Michael Campbell, then-Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition. Angelo relieved the former commanding officer, Capt. Jessica Behera.
Coast Guard announces agreement to construct new polar security cutter shipyard facilities
Aug. 4, 2025 - As part of continuing efforts to foster growth within the domestic shipbuilding industry and maintain momentum for acquisition priorities, the Coast Guard on July 23 formalized an agreement with Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding (BMS) to construct a production integration facility and land-based test facility at the shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in support of the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) Program.
Coast Guard HC-130J fleet marks 100,000-flight-hour milestone
Aug. 1, 2025 - On July 8, the Coast Guard’s HC-130J fleet marked a major milestone, surpassing 100,000 flight hours since the first HC-130J was delivered to the service in 2003. The landmark achievement was reached when Coast Guard aircraft CGNR 2005, stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, completed a logistics mission supporting mission-critical maintenance operations in the Arctic.
Coast Guard exercises option to begin construction on additional offshore patrol cutter
Aug. 1, 2025 - On July 31, the Coast Guard exercised a contract option with Austal USA of Mobile, Alabama, to begin construction of the second Stage 2 offshore patrol cutter (OPC) and acquire long lead-time material to support future construction of a third Stage 2 OPC. This action brings the total number of OPCs under contract to four: two at Austal USA and two at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida. The total value of the option is $273 million.
Coast Guard completes operational testing for new UAS capability
July 31, 2025 - The Coast Guard in late July completed comprehensive operational testing of Shield AI's V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) aboard Coast Guard Cutters Midgett and Stone in preparation for future installation of the V-BAT UAS capability across the national security cutter fleet and potentially other Coast Guard vessel classes. The UAS capability addresses a critical operational need for persistent airborne surveillance capabilities that support a wide range of Coast Guard missions.
Construction of first waterways commerce cutter begins
June 20, 2025 - The Coast Guard on June 18 issued a delivery order valued at $36.86 million to Birdon America Inc. in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, to start construction on the first inland construction tender (WLIC), which will be part of the waterways commerce cutter (WCC) fleet.
Innovation Awards showcase Coast Guard personnel’s improvements to mission execution
June 9, 2025 - Coast Guard leaders came together to celebrate the innovative spirit of the Coast Guard workforce during the Capt. Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Awards Ceremony held April 30 at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event included recognition of teams across six categories for their contributions in enhancing mission execution.
Coast Guard’s newest icebreaker, Storis, departs on maiden voyage
June 4, 2025 - Coast Guard Cutter Storis, the first polar icebreaker acquired by the Coast Guard in more than 25 years, departed on its maiden voyage to safeguard U.S. sovereign interests in the Arctic and conduct Coast Guard missions less than six months after the Coast Guard awarded a contract and took delivery of the vessel.
Coast Guard releases request for information to support domestic icebreaker market research
May 1, 2025 - The Coast Guard today released a request for information (RFI) to inform the development of its acquisition strategy to recapitalize its light and medium domestic icebreaking capabilities. Industry sources are invited to submit information on existing icebreaking-capable vessels or vessel designs that are ready for construction or already in production.
Polar Star begins final phase of service life extension work
April 15, 2025 - The Coast Guard has initiated the final of five planned phases of the service life extension program (SLEP) for Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, the service’s sole operational heavy icebreaker. Polar Star arrived at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, California, on March 30 to begin the remaining SLEP activities; the work is part of the In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) Program.
Coast Guard accepts 59th fast response cutter
March 18, 2025 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 59th fast response cutter (FRC), Earl Cunningham, on March 6, 2025, in Key West, Florida. Earl Cunningham is the second of three FRCs to be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska.
Coast Guard accepts ownership of commercially available polar icebreaker
Dec. 30, 2024 - The Coast Guard on Dec. 20, 2024, completed acceptance of the motor vessel Aiviq from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary. Upon commissioning, the ship will be renamed Coast Guard Cutter Storis and will enhance U.S. operational presence in the Arctic and support Coast Guard missions while awaiting delivery of the polar security cutter class.
Coast Guard is building nation’s first polar security cutter
Dec. 23, 2024 - The U.S. Coast Guard/U.S. Navy Integrated Program Office received approval Dec. 19 to begin to build the first polar security cutter (PSC). The PSC is the first heavy polar icebreaker constructed in the United States in more than five decades. The work is being performed by Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the prime contractor for design and construction of the future PSC fleet. This decision continues work that has been underway since the summer of 2023 as part of an innovative approach to shorten the delivery timeline of these critical national assets.
Coast Guard celebrates 40 years of service with H-65 helicopter
Dec. 18, 2024 - In November 2024, the Coast Guard marked the 40th anniversary of the initial H-65 operation, but the tenure of this critical asset in supporting Coast Guard missions is slowly coming to an end. The service has completed the transition from the MH-65D to the MH-65E, the final upgrade of this airframe. Obsolescence challenges with the MH-65 will lead to the sundowning of aircraft as they reach the end of their service lives.
Coast Guard issues request for proposal for special purpose craft – heavy weather II
Dec. 11, 2024 - The Coast Guard released a request for proposal (RFP) on Dec. 10 for the design and production of up to six special purpose craft – heavy weather generation II (SPC-HWX II) boats to replace the service’s previous fleet of 52-foot special purpose craft – heavy weather (SPC-HWX) boats, which have been removed from service.
Coast Guard Elizabeth City community rises to challenge in Hurricane Milton response
Dec. 3, 2024 - Coast Guard assets, personnel and supplies are key components in disaster response. As members of the Coast Guard raced to prepare for and respond to emergencies related to the landfall of Hurricane Milton, the Coast Guard Aviation Projects Acquisition Center (APAC), Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) and Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, stepped in to provide critical mission support to protect a stranded Coast Guard asset that could not be used for the disaster.
Coast Guard completes upgrade of its HC-144 fleet
Sept. 13, 2024 - The Coast Guard completed the upgrade of its HC-144 Ocean Sentry medium range surveillance aircraft fleet with the delivery of the 18th and final plane to undergo the Ocean Sentry Refresh (OSR) and integration of Minotaur mission system architecture.
Sequoia completes major maintenance work
Aug. 26, 2024 - Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia, a 225-foot Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender, departed Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore on Aug. 21 following completion of its major maintenance availability (MMA) as part of the In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) Program.
Coast Guard accepts 57th fast response cutter
June 17, 2024 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 57th fast response cutter (FRC), Florence Finch, June 13 in Key West, Florida. Florence Finch will be the second FRC to be homeported in Astoria, Oregon.
Coast Guard looks toward future at annual Innovation Awards
May 28, 2024 - “Tomorrow looks different, and so will we.” James Knight, deputy assistant commandant for acquisition and director of acquisition services, used the commandant’s oft-repeated message to the workforce to open the Capt. Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Awards Ceremony that took place during the Coast Guard Senior Leadership Conference on May 2.
Robotic process automation project results in big benefits for Coast Guard
May 1, 2024 - While it’s a relatively new tool for the Coast Guard, the service’s use of robotic process automation (RPA) is already realizing significant savings of time and money. The RPA effort was led by the Office of Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) and Innovation; the Research and Development Center (RDC); the C5I Service Center (C5ISC); and the Office of Financial Systems and its RPA Center of Excellence (COE).
Coast Guard accepts 16th missionized HC-130J into fleet
March 7, 2024 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of its 16th fully missionized HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft, CGNR 2016, Feb. 19 following completion of Minotaur mission system integration and Block Upgrade 8.1 installation at L3Harris in Waco, Texas.
Coast Guard takes next steps toward all MH-60T helicopter fleet
Jan. 23, 2024 - The Coast Guard received approval from the Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 31, 2023, to proceed with acquisition program activities that will continue to extend the service life of the existing MH-60T fleet as well as begin the Coast Guard’s transition to a rotary wing fleet consisting of all MH-60T aircraft.
Coast Guard MH-65 technical training receives major upgrade
Nov. 29, 2023 - The Coast Guard MH-65 Conversion and Sustainment Program has been upgrading the service’s short range recovery helicopter with an improved automatic flight control system, new integrated weather radar and digital cockpit architecture.
Coast Guard Yard removes two 27-ton engines as part of medium endurance cutter service life extension program
Nov. 22, 2023 - On Nov. 8, personnel at Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore achieved a milestone in the 270-foot medium endurance cutter service life extension program (SLEP) by safely removing the two main diesel engines from Coast Guard Cutter Spencer. The engines each weigh 54,000 pounds – or 27 tons – and this is the first lift of this weight that has been conducted at Coast Guard Yard in more than a decade. This also is the first time Yard personnel have removed an engine from a 270-foot medium endurance cutter.
Coast Guard christens first offshore patrol cutter
Oct. 31, 2023 - The Coast Guard christened the first offshore patrol cutter (OPC), Argus, on Oct. 27 at Eastern Shipbuilding’s Nelson Shipyard in Panama City, Florida. Following the christening event, Eastern Shipbuilding launched the cutter into the water for the first time.
ISVS completes HVAC work on nine 140-foot icebreaking tugs
Oct. 16, 2023 - The In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) Program in partnership with Coast Guard Yard personnel completed scheduled work on Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay Sept. 22, 2023, successfully marking the conclusion of on-site and mobile road show projects to install heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment onboard nine 140-foot Bay-class icebreaking tugs that operate throughout Coast Guard Districts 1 and 9.
FAQ addresses continued use of 8(a) Program during Ultima injunction
Aug. 26, 2023 - The questions and answers in this document are intended to help the federal workforce as it implements Small Business Administration guidance on the impact of the U.S. District Court’s July 19, 2023, decision in Ultima Servs. Corp. v. Dep’t of Ag. (E.D. Tenn.) on the 8(a) Program.
Coast Guard accepts 54th fast response cutter
July 21, 2023 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 54th fast response cutter (FRC), William Sparling, July 20 in Key West, Florida. William Sparling will be the fifth FRC to be homeported in Boston.
Coast Guard completes 15-month upgrades on 225-foot seagoing buoy tender
June 15, 2023 - The Coast Guard’s In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) Program recently completed 15 months of upgrade work as part of a major maintenance availability (MMA) on the 225-foot Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender Aspen. Work was completed at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, with Aspen departing June 8.
Coast Guard reinforces importance of innovation through annual awards
June 7, 2023 - “Innovation has never been more important than now.”
Adm. Steven Poulin’s words were meant as much for the group gathered at the Coast Guard Senior Leadership Conference as for the winners of the Capt. Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Awards that were being handed out. “We have to keep pace with the changing world,” the vice commandant said. “All of us need to sharpen our competitive edge. The status quo is no longer the best way.”
Coast Guard Cutter Mobile Bay completes HVAC upgrade
June 7, 2023 - The Coast Guard’s In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) Program is nearing completion of a class-wide upgrade to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems on the service’s 140-foot bay-class icebreaking tugs.
Coast Guard begins third phase of Polar Star service life extension program
May 30, 2023 - The Coast Guard has commenced the third of five planned phases of Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star’s service life extension program (SLEP), as part of the In-Service Vessel Sustainment Program. The contractor, Mare Island Dry Dock LLC, began work at the cutter’s homeport in Seattle on April 17, 2023, performing various initial operational tests and cable installation for the new fire detection system.
Coast Guard awards contract for long range interceptor III cutter boats
May 30, 2023 - The Coast Guard awarded an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to MetalCraft Marine U.S. Inc. of Watertown, New York, May 23 for construction, testing, delivery and logistical support for the third generation of long range interceptor (LRI III) cutter boats.
Coast Guard accepts 53rd fast response cutter
May 12, 2023 - The cutter’s namesake was born in New Jersey in 1834. In 1870, after serving in the U.S. Civil War, Patterson signed on as a surfman with the U.S. Life-Saving Service station in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
MH-60T new hull production underway for Coast Guard acquisition/sustainment program
April 25, 2023 - The Coast Guard celebrated the start of new hull production for the MH-60T Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) March 8 at the Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. production facility in Troy, Alabama. Delivery of the first new hull is scheduled for September 2023. Hulls two and three are projected to be delivered in March and April 2024.
Coast Guard honors outstanding contracting and procurement professionals
April 2, 2023 - Six individuals and two teams from within the Coast Guard contracting and procurement (C&P) community were recognized for their exceptional performance in fiscal year 2022 during the annual Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) Awards held March 14 at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Coast Guard orders components for upgraded MH-65E helicopter
March 10, 2023 - The Coast Guard placed a delivery order Feb. 14 for components and related supplies for the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) and Automatic Flight Control System used in the upgraded MH-65E short range recovery helicopter.
Coast Guard accepts 52nd fast response cutter
March 3, 2023 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 52nd fast response cutter (FRC), Maurice Jester, March 2 in Key West, Florida. Maurice Jester will be the third FRC to be homeported in Boston.
Coast Guard partners with Space Force to strengthen presence in space domain
Feb. 15, 2023 - The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) and the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Science, Technology and Research Directorate solidified their commitment to collaborate and enhance space capabilities for the joint warfighter through a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Jan. 19.
Electronic health records system implementation continues
Jan. 31, 2023 - Following the deployment success of Segment A, the Coast Guard is moving forward with Segment B and the deployment of centralized X-ray services interoperable with the MHS GENESIS electronic health records (EHR) system to ashore clinics and sickbays.
Coast Guard seeks information on UAS capabilities
Jan. 25, 2023 - The Coast Guard is conducting additional market research on Group 2 and Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capabilities, sensors and payloads through a request for information (RFI) released Jan. 19.
Coast Guard accepts 51st fast response cutter
Dec. 22, 2022 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 51st fast response cutter (FRC), Warren Deyampert, Dec. 22 in Key West, Florida. Warren Deyampert will be the second FRC to be homeported in Boston.
Coast Guard R&D benefits from veterans within its ranks
Nov. 10, 2022 - The Coast Guard Office of Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) and Innovation and the Research and Development Center (RDC) in New London, Connecticut, have many veterans within their ranks. Whether a veteran of the Coast Guard or other military branch, these employees bring diverse skills and experience that help the Coast Guard complete its demanding and expanding mission set.
Coast Guard issues request for demonstrations of command center display systems
Oct. 25, 2022 - As part of continuing market research for a command center display system replacement, the Coast Guard is requesting interested industry parties to provide a virtual demonstration highlighting their video wall display systems at no cost to the government. The purpose of these demonstrations is to supplement the government’s market research.
Coast Guard awards contract for radar systems for new C-130Js
Oct. 11, 2022 - The Coast Guard awarded a contract to L3Harris Technologies Inc. Sept. 28, 2022, for up to five AN/APY-11 multimode radars that will be installed on new C-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft during the Minotaur missionization process.
Coast Guard RDT&E works to provide high latitude underway connectivity
Oct. 7, 2022 - The Coast Guard Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) and Innovation Program is evaluating if new satellite constellations in low-earth orbit can provide network connectivity to cutters operating at high latitudes, where connectivity using geostationary satellites is currently lacking.
Coast Guard orders 11 new MH-60T hulls
July 26, 2022 - The Coast Guard ordered 11 additional new MH-60T hulls from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut, July 14 to support the service’s ongoing Service Life Extension Program on its original fleet of 45 MH-60Ts.
Coast Guard honors workforce innovation
July 8, 2022 - The Coast Guard recognized trailblazers in its workforce with Capt. Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Awards June 2 during the Senior Leadership Conference held at Coast Guard Headquarters.
Coast Guard accepts 15th missionized HC-130J into fleet
June 29, 2022 - The Coast Guard accepted the delivery of its 15th HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft, CGNR 2015, June 23, following completion of Minotaur mission system integration and Block Upgrade 8.1 installation at L3Harris in Waco, Texas.
Coast Guard provides update on invoice processing under new financial system
June 7, 2022 - The Coast Guard transitioned to a new financial management and procurement system in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Over the past several months, the Coast Guard has worked to improve business processes, enhance system functionality and reduce invoice backlogs. As a result, the Coast Guard is now paying more invoices than come in each week and has been able to reduce the invoice backlog from 27,500 to less than 10,000.
Coast Guard commissions 48th fast response cutter in Florida
May 13, 2022 - The Coast Guard commissioned the 48th fast response cutter (FRC), Pablo Valent, May 11, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Pablo Valent is the first FRC stationed in St. Petersburg. Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, commanding officer of the Coast Guard 7th District, presided over the ceremony.
Air Force orders one C-130J for Coast Guard
May 13, 2022 - Using funds transferred from the Coast Guard, the Air Force awarded an $80 million contract May 6 to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics for the production of one C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Coast Guard delivers 12th Minotaur-missionized HC-144B to fleet
May 12, 2022 - The Coast Guard accepted delivery of its 12th HC-144B Ocean Sentry medium range surveillance aircraft outfitted with both the Ocean Sentry Refresh (OSR) modifications and the Minotaur mission system April 29. Modifications to CGNR 2309 were completed at the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The aircraft will be based at Air Station Miami.
HC-27J Asset Project Office expands mission, changes name
May 9, 2022 - The Coast Guard commemorated the name change and the expanded mission scope of the HC-27J Asset Project Office (APO) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 28 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Now called the Aviation Projects Acquisition Center (APAC), it will support acquisition activities for all Coast Guard aviation assets.
MH-65 program delivers upgraded helicopters to HITRON
April 26, 2022 - The Coast Guard H-65 Conversion and Sustainment Program delivered CGNR 6555 to the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) April 4. With this delivery, 40 of 98 Dolphin short range recovery helicopters have been converted to the “E” configuration, and six facilities have transitioned to the upgraded aircraft.
Coast Guard commissions 47th fast response cutter in New York City
April 25, 2022 - The Coast Guard commissioned the 47th fast response cutter (FRC), Clarence Sutphin Jr, April 21 in New York City. Clarence Sutphin Jr is the final of six FRCs that will be stationed in Manama, Bahrain. Vice Adm. Steven Poulin, Atlantic Area commander, presided over the ceremony.
Coast Guard cutters mark SLEP milestones for ISVS Program
April 21, 2022 - Two Coast Guard service life extension programs (SLEP) reached milestones in early April – prototype work was completed on a 270-foot medium endurance cutter (WMEC) and Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star commenced the second phase of its SLEP work.