Feb. 9, 2026

Coast Guard takes delivery of 18th mission-ready HC-130J surveillance aircraft

The Coast Guard took delivery of its 18th fully missionized HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft on Feb. 7, 2026, at L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems in Waco, Texas. The aircraft – designated CGNR 2018 – will support the transition of Air Station Sacramento, California, from C-27J aircraft to HC-130Js. Three Coast Guard air stations currently operate the HC-130J: Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Kodiak, Alaska; and Barbers Point, Hawaii.

Jan. 27, 2026

Coast Guard commissions 61st fast response cutter, Olivia Hooker

The Coast Guard commissioned its 61st fast response cutter (FRC), Coast Guard Cutter Olivia Hooker, on Jan. 22 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Olivia Hooker is the second FRC to be homeported at Coast Guard Station Pascagoula.

Jan. 15, 2026

Coast Guard awards contract to rebuild Station South Padre Island

The Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center awarded a $200 million design-build contract to The Haskell Company Jan. 9 for the comprehensive recapitalization and expansion of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island in South Padre Island, Texas.

Jan. 9, 2026

Coast Guard awards four contracts to acquire response boat-small demonstration boats

The Coast Guard on Jan. 8 awarded four contracts to acquire demonstration boats that will be used to develop and validate performance requirements, assess industry capabilities and gather information about the marketplace. The service will use the information captured from operation of the boats to inform development of future boat acquisitions.