UNITED STATES 

COAST GUARD

POSTURE

STATEMENT

2021 Budget Overview
2 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 3

Letter from the Commandant....................................................... 2 

The Coast Guard in Today’s Strategic Environment...................... 4

Strategic Priorities........................................................................ 6

Operational Highlights .............................................................. 12

Budget Overview........................................................................ 26

CONTENTS

Letter from the Commandant

As we have for 230 years, the United States Coast Guard continues to address emerging national priorities in 

the Homeland and across the globe– saving those in peril, thwarting illicit and coercive maritime activities, 

and fostering economic prosperity and environmental stewardship. Demand for Coast Guard services has 

never been higher, and I am extremely proud of the mission excellence we delivered to the Nation in 2019. 

We surged our forces in response to natural disasters around the world – including the devastating impacts 

to the Northern Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian - saving lives and providing leadership in times of crisis. 

We employed new capabilities and techniques, including the use of unmanned aerial systems, to combat 

transnational criminal organizations who use narco-submarines and other illicit craft to smuggle drugs and 

contraband destined for U.S. soil. We deployed two National Security Cutters, our flagship capability, to 

the Indo-Pacific Theater to support Department of Defense objectives and build partner-nation capacity 

in the region. We continued to work across government and the maritime industry to keep pace with the 

ever-evolving cyber domain and address cyber risks to critical infrastructure. Once again, we sent our aging 

icebreakers to the Arctic and Antarctic to serve as the Nation’s primary presence in the Polar Regions. 

Throughout 2019, whenever and wherever the nation needed its Coast Guard, we were there. 

The Coast Guard provides exceptional service to the American taxpayer, but increasing mission demands 

and constrained resource levels continue to challenge Service readiness for both steady-state missions and 

contingency operations. The strong support we received in our Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Enacted Budget 

enabled us to begin addressing our long-standing readiness gap. To sustain that momentum, the FY 2021 

Budget priorities directly reflect our intense and continued focus on READINESS. While our new assets 

provide the Coast Guard with remarkable capability, we must ensure we can properly train, equip, and 

sustain the workforce, information technology systems, and shore infrastructure necessary to operate and 

maintain these assets. Such investments are essential mission-enablers, ensuring our operational success 

today and revolutionizing the way we conduct operations in the future.

A mission-ready total workforce is the cornerstone of our success, and it is my absolute highest priority to 

provide our workforce with the tools, resources, and policies that will enable them to succeed wherever they 

serve. FY 2019 proved to be an impactful year in the development of personnel management policies that 

advance inclusion and diversity and that improve the support we provide our members. We will continue 

to develop and implement strategies and solutions that maximize readiness and enable us to recruit, train, 

and retain a workforce that is representative of the American public the Coast Guard serves. We remain 

committed to thinking differently, challenging the status quo, and creating an environment that not only 

attracts the best of America’s diverse talent, but also provides a rich experience that makes the Coast Guard 

an employer of choice in a competitive marketplace for talent.

Our FY 2021 President’s Budget request is a direct reflection of our continued focus and commitment to 

restoring Coast Guard readiness. It is my absolute highest priority to provide our workforce with the tools, 

resources, and policies that will enable them to succeed wherever they serve. With the continued support of 

Congress, we will continue to live up to our motto: Semper Paratus – Always Ready. 

Karl L. Schultz 

Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard

Commandant
4 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 5

THE COAST GUARD IN 

TODAY’S STRATEGIC 

ENVIRONMENT

As a maritime nation, America’s security and prosperity are inextricably linked to our 

unfettered access to major oceans, inland rivers, deepwater ports, and other connecting 

waterways. Our continued national and economic security relies on open trade and a strong 

rules-based order. To sustain its strength, America must protect its borders from unlawful 

intrusion and defend sovereignty while safeguarding and facilitating commerce. 

The maritime environment in which we operate is becoming increasingly complex. Greatpower competition, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), rapid technological 

advancements and cyber threats, and complex natural disasters are straining global systems 

for maritime governance. Rival powers are challenging international order and TCOs are 

eroding regional stability by weakening government institutions and terrorizing peaceful 

citizens. Cyber criminals are attacking digital infrastructure and subverting the protections 

historically provided by geographic borders. Technology is changing the character of 

maritime operations, improving efficiency and safety while introducing new risks. At the 

same time, catastrophic weather events are increasing in severity and scale, with enormous 

consequences to our coastal communities and global supply chains. 

The iconic angled racing stripes that mark the bow of every 

U.S. Coast Guard vessel, first adopted in 1967, are now 

recognized around the world. These stripes represent a global 

maritime security regime, which relies upon the rule of law, 

good governance, and respect for international laws and 

norms on the high seas. For more than 50 years, coast guards 

have maintained this regime. The U.S. Coast Guard is a 

proud model for professional maritime behavior worldwide, 

alongside partner coast guards who uphold these peaceful and 

humanitarian values. 

The Coast Guard’s specialized capabilities, broad authorities, and strong international 

relationships are uniquely suited to meet these challenges. We are deployed globally to 

promote peace, fortify alliances, attract new partners, and challenge threats far from U.S. 

soil. We are also the Nation’s premier first responder, with a bias for action and on-scene 

initiative that enables us to thrive in crisis. The demand for our services has never been 

greater.
6 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 7

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

The Coast Guard is an agile and adaptive 

force, with the ability to rapidly shift among 

many missions to meet national priorities 

during steady state and crisis operations.

• Maximize Readiness Today and Tomorrow – The Coast Guard’s top priority is Service 

readiness. The increasing global complexity and expanding demand for Coast Guard 

services necessitates the best people, modern technology, resilient infrastructure, and 

highly-capable assets. With a clear understanding of the fiscal environment, we will 

support our people, invest in mission-enabling technologies, and modernize our assets 

to enhance our readiness for the challenges of today while preparing for the threats of 

tomorrow. 

• Address the Nation’s Complex Maritime Challenges – As the Nation’s unique 

instrument across the full spectrum of maritime operations, the Coast Guard cooperates 

and builds capacity to counter maritime threats. From education and regulation, to 

enforcement and lethal force where necessary, the Coast Guard has a range of capabilities 

to influence behavior in the increasingly complex maritime domain. 

• Deliver Mission Excellence Anytime, Anywhere – Our greatest value to the Nation 

resides in our ability to rapidly shift among our missions to meet national priorities 

during steady state and crisis. We will align all of our Service’s initiatives to promote 

organizational efficiency, agility, and effectiveness – delivering excellence anytime, 

anywhere.
8 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 9

Locally Based The Coast Guard is a locally-based organization, with units 

broadly distributed across our Nation. Coast Guard men and 

women are proud to live and work in the communities that 

they serve. This diverse geographic footprint enables us to be 

responsive to both local emergencies and national crises. Within 

communities across America, Coast Guard units stand ready to 

perform our missions and coordinate with Federal, State, local, 

territorial, and tribal agencies, as well as private sector partners, 

to meet the challenges facing our nation.

The Coast Guard’s 54,000-strong Active Duty, Reserve, and 

Civilian workforce is strategically positioned to meet America’s 

needs. In addition to those depicted below are nearly 450 

Coast Guard men and women who are permanently stationed 

overseas and approximately 25,000 volunteers that comprise 

the Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

1 10 100 1,000

Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands

Alaska

Hawaii

Guam

Basemap © OpenStreetMap Contributors
10 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 11

Globally Impactful The Coast Guard is deployed globally to promote peace, fortify alliances, attract 

new partners, and challenge threats. Our leadership in global maritime governing 

bodies and our collaborative approach drives stability, legitimacy, and order.

Detection, Monitoring, 

Interdiction, Endgame in 

the Transit Zone

Port Security Units – 

Guantanamo Bay

Africa Maritime Law 

Enforcement Partnership

Sole U.S. Surface Presence 

in the Arctic

Theater Security Cooperation, 

Maritime Security, and 

Counter‐Piracy

Regional Associations – Rare 

Engagement Opportunities 

with Russia/China, Others

Only National Polar 

Icebreaker – Joint Support 

Forces Antarctica

National Security Cutter – 

UN Sanctions Enforcement, 

Partner Capacity Building

Mobile Training Teams – 

Partner Capacity

Basemap © OpenStreetMap Contributors
12 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 13

OPERATIONAL

HIGHLIGHTS

Employing its unique authorities, capabilities, and partnerships, the Coast Guard conducts 

11 statutory missions, managed within six mission programs that cross the full spectrum of 

maritime activities:

• Maritime Law Enforcement: Migrant Interdiction; Drug Interdiction; Living Marine 

Resources; Other Law Enforcement

• Maritime Response: Search and Rescue; Marine Environmental Protection 

• Maritime Prevention: Ports, Waterways, & Coastal Security; Marine Safety; Marine 

Environmental Protection

• Marine Transportation System Management: Aids to Navigation; Ice Operations

• Maritime Security Operations: Ports, Waterways, & Coastal Security

• Defense Operations: Defense Readiness

In addition to the 11 missions codified in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, other 

responsibilities include: providing products and services for the Intelligence Community; 

conducting activities and efforts to advance U.S. diplomacy and international relations; 

Cyber Security; Bridge Administration; Great Lakes Pilotage; and other Waterways 

Management functions supplementary to Aids to Navigation.

Since 1790, the Coast Guard has adapted its people, assets, 

and capabilities in response to emerging national demands 

and international challenges. The Coast Guard is a federal 

law enforcement agency, a regulatory body, a first responder, a 

member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, and at all times a 

military service and branch of the Armed Forces of the United 

States.
14 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 15

• 458,436 pounds of cocaine and 63,282 pounds of marijuana, with an approximate street 

value of $6.2 billion, removed.

• 611 suspected smugglers detained for prosecution.

• 6,107 undocumented migrants interdicted at sea.

– 3,663 Haitian, 2,118 Dominican, 439 Mexican, and 483 Cuban migrants repatriated.

• 185 incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) detected, resulting in the 

interdiction of 119 vessels.

• 138 foreign vessels boarded to suppress illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

• 7,052 U.S. fishing vessels boarded, resulting in 148 significant fishery violations.

• 49 reports to assist with stranded, distressed, or entangled animals.

Maritime Law Enforcement

The Maritime Law Enforcement mission program seeks to 

protect America’s maritime borders, defend the Nation’s 

maritime sovereignty, facilitate legitimate use of the waterways, 

and suppress violations of U.S. Federal law on, under, and 

over the seas to include illegal migration and Transnational 

Organized Crime. 

Four times the drugs with 1.6% of the funds—the 

Coast Guard and Joint Interagency Task Force 

( JIATF) - South continue to be one of the best 

investments in the U.S. government.
16 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 17

Maritime Response

The Maritime Response mission program seeks to mitigate 

the consequences of marine casualties and disastrous events. 

The Coast Guard is the Nation’s premiere maritime first 

responder, minimizing loss of life and property by searching 

for and rescuing persons in distress. The Coast Guard is an 

agile, adaptive force capable of rapidly mobilizing to provide 

an immediate and reliable response to maritime incidents in 

coordination with, and in support of, Federal, State, local, 

territorial, and tribal agencies, as well as private sector and 

international partners.

• 15,257 Search and Rescue cases, resulting in:

– 19,986 people assisted;

– 4,335 lives saved; and

– $41.6 million in property protected from loss.

• 457 additional lives saved in response to 12,388 search and rescue calls during Hurricane 

Dorian.

• 9,378 pollution incident reports investigated.

• 328 federal cleanup projects managed, costing more than $101.4 million.

• 7,000+ submissions for compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 reviewed.

• 156 inspections to ensure Oil Spill Removal Organizations compliance with U.S. law.

• 420 exercises, 160 contingency preparedness notification drills completed.

• Deployed the National Strike Force to support Coast Guard and Environmental 

Protection Agency for:

– 2 natural disasters;

– 1 special event; and 

– 8 oil and hazardous substance incidents.

Our empowered workforce, with a bias for action 

and on-scene initiative, enables the Coast Guard 

to provide immediate and reliable response to any 

maritime incident.
18 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 19

Maritime Prevention

The Maritime Prevention mission program seeks to prevent 

marine casualties and property losses, minimize security risks, 

and protect the marine environment. The Coast Guard does so 

by developing and enforcing Federal regulations, conducting 

safety and security inspections, and analyzing port security 

risk assessments nationwide.

• 16,000+ commercial vessel plans reviewed for compliance with technical standards for 

design, construction, alteration and repair.

• 114,441 commercial vessels, over 12 million crewmembers, and 27 million travelers 

screened prior to arriving in the United States.

• 15,996 U.S. flagged vessel safety and security inspections for compliance with U.S. laws 

and International conventions, resulting in 87 flag state detentions.

• 8,748 foreign-flagged vessel safety and security examinations for compliance with 

U.S. laws and International conventions, resulting in 106 detentions reportable to the 

International Maritime Organization.

• 5,994 commercial fishing vessel safety examinations, resulting in the issuance of 3,643 

safety decals.

• 1,837 uninspected fishing and passenger vessel examinations, resulting in the issuance of 

over 1,300 safety decals.

• 207,571 U.S. Merchant Mariners supported with the issuance of 60,485 credentials and 

endorsements, and 61,404 medical certificates.

• 199 International Port Security Program assessments in 40 countries while imposing 

conditions of entry on vessels arriving from 22 countries.

• 5,500+ security inspections of Maritime Transportation Security Act regulated facilities.

• 601 transfer monitors of facilities handling regulated hazardous cargoes.

• 29,993 shipping containers inspected for structural and hazardous material compliance.

• 20,270 preliminary investigations initiated including:

– 3,537 reportable marine casualties;

– 2,665 pollution incidents; and

– 48 major marine casualties or marine casualties where the Coast Guard collaborated 

with the National Transportation Safety Board.

• 6,247 enforcement actions for violations of marine safety laws and regulations.

• 7 environmental crimes and other criminal violations referred for prosecution to the 

Department of Justice.

• 5,430 travelers of concern identified prior to arrival in the United States. 

The Coast Guard is a fair and balanced regulator, 

focused on safe and secure movement of goods 

and people to enable economic prosperity. Our 

regulations—operationalized through routine 

inspections—provide a just and equitable process to 

access America’s “shared-use” waterways.
20 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 21

Marine Transportation

System Management

The Marine Transportation System Management mission 

program seeks to ensure a safe, secure, and environmentally 

sound waterways system. The Coast Guard works in concert 

with other Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial 

agencies, the marine industry, maritime associations, and the 

international community to safeguard the efficient movement 

of $5.4T in annual economic activity and 30.8 million jobs 

across the Nation’s Marine Transportation System.

• 44,571 buoys and beacons maintained across the Marine Transportation System.

• 6,440 discrepancies to aids to navigation infrastructure corrected.

• 6,756 hours of icebreaking to support movement of 18 million tons of dry bulk and 

liquid cargoes through ice-impeded waters of the Great Lakes and the Penobscot, 

Kennebec, and Hudson Rivers, at an economic value of $1.08 billion.

• 1,515 icebergs identified and tracked in the North Atlantic shipping lanes.

• 1,022 waterways controls established by Coast Guard Captains of the Port, including:

– 220 to address safety concerns related to obstructions/hazards to navigation;

– 59 to ensure safe and secure commercial vessel movements; and

– 39 for dredging and infrastructure projects.

• 236 disruptions to the Marine Transportation System addressed, including:

– 36 related to vessel breakaways, grounding, and other navigation hazards;

– 144 related to ice/extreme weather/low visibility/river levels; and

– 22 related to bridge/lock malfunctions or operational deviations.

• 4,071 applications reviewed and 1,183 marine event permits issued for activities on U.S. 

navigable waters.

• 32 bridge permits issued with a total project cost of $1.57 billion.

We are a maritime nation. Our oceans, coastal 

ports, and inland waterways are the envy of the 

world. Our Nation’s security and prosperity are 

inextricably linked to a safe and efficient marine 

transportation system.
22 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 23

Maritime Security

Operations

The Maritime Security Operations mission program 

encompasses activities to detect, deter, prevent, and disrupt 

terrorist attacks and other criminal acts in the U.S. maritime 

domain. It includes the execution of antiterrorism, response, 

and select recovery operations. This mission performs the 

operational element of the Coast Guard’s Ports, Waterways, 

and Coastal Security mission and complements our Maritime 

Response and Prevention efforts.

• 48,623 waterborne patrols of maritime critical infrastructure and key resources.

• 512 waterborne enforcement activities of fixed security zones.

• 4,200 small vessel security boardings in/around U.S. ports, waterways, and coasts.

• 569 boardings of vessels that pose greater-than-normal risk.

• 3,357 escorts of high-capacity passenger vessels such as ferries and cruise ships.

• 401 escorts of vessels carrying certain dangerous cargoes.

• 80 escorts of high-value naval vessels transiting U.S. waterways.

• 62 military cargo vessel transits escorted.

• 28 military out load security zones enforced.

• 224 U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine escorts during homeport surface transits.

Uniquely capable of protecting international and 

interstate commerce, the Coast Guard conducts 

Maritime Security Response Operations (MSRO) 

and can deploy short-notice maritime response 

forces to address urgent security threats to our 

maritime critical infrastructure.
24 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 25

Defense Operations

The Defense Operations mission program exercises the Coast 

Guard’s unique authorities and capabilities to support the 

National Defense Strategy. The Coast Guard is deployed daily 

around the globe in support of Combatant Commanders to 

protect the security of our Nation far from U.S. soil.

• 6 patrol boats, 1 Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT), and 1 Maritime Engagement Team 

(MET) deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of U.S. Central Command security 

cooperation, maritime security, and counter-piracy objectives.

– 12,054 hours of patrol coverage; and

– 105 layered defense escorts conducted.

• 10,388 waterside and 27,501 shore-side hours of Anti-Terrorism/Force-Protection 

provided by Port Security Units deployed to Guantanamo Bay.

– 403 contacts of interest intercepted; and

– 317 vessel escorts conducted.

• 77 counter-drug deployments by Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Teams in 

support of U.S. Southern Command and Central and South American partner nations. 

(Including deployments in direct support of the Bahamian, Haitian, and Dominican 

governments.)

• 148 active air defense threats responded to by Coast Guard MH-65 helicopters in 

the National Capital Region area in support of U.S. Northern Command’s Operation 

NOBLE EAGLE. 

• Deployable Rotary Air Wing Intercept assets:

– deployed 15 times, spanning 114 days;

– responded to 84 alerts; and

– scrambled 50 times in response to DOD-identified tracks of interest.

• 2 National Security Cutters deployed, spanning 327 days in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific 

Command in the Western Pacific to advance national security objectives, enforce U.N. 

sanctions, and conduct freedom of navigation operations.

• 82 days of Medium Endurance Cutter and 150 days of Coast Guard Tactical Law 

Enforcement Team support to U.S. Africa Command to enhance partner-nation maritime 

enforcement capabilities to counter illegal fishing, piracy and contraband trafficking.

• Supported the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to develop partner nation capacity 

around the world with 52 Mobile Training Team missions.

On any given day, 11 cutters, 2 Maritime Patrol 

Aircraft (MPA), 5 helicopters, 2 specialized 

boarding teams and an entire Port Security 

Unit are supporting Department of Defense 

Combatant Commanders globally.
26 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 27

BUDGET OVERVIEW

The Coast Guard is an agile and adaptive force, with the ability to 

rapidly shift among many missions to meet national priorities during 

steady state and crisis operations. Across government, the demand 

for Coast Guard services continues to grow, yet many capital assets 

are well beyond their designed service lives and aging information 

technology (IT) systems and shore infrastructure struggle to keep up 

with mission requirements. 

The Coast Guard’s FY 2021 President’s Budget request remains 

focused on efforts to restore Service readiness through purposeful 

investment in the technology, assets, and support needed to meet 

existing requirements and emerging mission demands with a resilient 

and capable workforce. It reflects meaningful, risk-informed choices 

that leverage limited resources to improve operational outcomes, 

address deferred maintenance backlogs, attract and retain a talented 

and diverse workforce, and recapitalize and modernize IT systems and 

infrastructure to address 21st century threats. 

81.8%

$8,377,740

Operations & Support 

(O&S)

0.1%

$5,276

Research & Development

(R&D)

2.1%

$215,787

Medicare-Eligible Retiree 

Health Care Fund (MERCHF)

16.0%

$1,637,091

Procurement, Construction, 

& Improvements (PC&I)

Dollars in Thousands

$12,331,137

Total Budget Request

83%

$10,235,894

Net Discretionary 

Funding

$2,095,243

Mandatory, Fees, & 17% Trust Funds

Net Discretionary Funding
28 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 29

$1,637,091

Procurement, 

Construction, & 

Improvements (PC&I)

78.2%

$1,280,400

Vessels

$153,600 

Aircraft

Vessels $1,280,400

Polar Security Cutter (PSC) $555.0M: Continues program management for the construction of PSC #1 and includes full funding for the construction of PSC #2. This 

acquisition further recapitalizes the Coast Guard’s heavy polar icebreaker fleet to support 

national interests in the Polar Regions and provide assured surface presence in those iceimpacted waters.

Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) $546.0M: Supports construction of OPC #3 and Long Lead Time Materials for OPC #4. The OPC will replace the Coast Guard’s fleet of Medium 

Endurance Cutter classes that conduct missions on the high seas and coastal approaches.

In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) $82.6M: Supports new Service Life Extension Project efforts on the 47-foot Motor Life Boats; continues funding for similar sustainment 

projects on the 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutters (WMEC) and 225-foot Seagoing 

Buoy Tenders.

National Security Cutter (NSC) $31.0M: Supports Post Delivery Activities (PDA) for the eighth through eleventh NSCs, as well as class-wide activities that include Test and 

Evaluation, program execution and support, and program close-out support.

Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) $25.0M: Supports program management activities to recapitalize the current fleet of inland tenders and barges including: the 75-foot, 100-foot, 

and 160-foot Inland Construction Tenders; 65-foot and 100-foot Inland Buoy Tenders; and 

65-foot and 75-foot River Buoy Tenders.

Fast Response Cutter (FRC) $20.0M: Supports the program management of ongoing acquisition of FRCs to replace the Coast Guard’s fleet of 110-foot Island Class patrol boats, 

enhancing the Service’s ability to conduct search and rescue operations, enforce border 

security, interdict drugs, uphold immigration laws, prevent terrorism, and enhance resiliency 

to disasters.

Polar Sustainment $15.0M: Supports a multi-year Service Life Extension Project for POLAR STAR, the Nation’s only operational heavy icebreaker and only organic capability 

to assure year-round access to the Polar Regions to support national interests.

Procurement, Construction, 

and Improvements

9.4%

$146,731

Shore & Aids

to Navigation

8.9% 3.5%

$56,360

Other

Dollars in Thousands
30 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 31

Shore Facilities and ATON $146,731

Major Shore, Housing, ATON, Survey and Design $74.9M: Supports shore facility and 

housing construction, replacement, upgrade or improvement projects, and construction 

and improvements to buoys and structures assisting navigation on federal waterways. 

Includes projects to support air operations in the National Capital Region and Clearwater, 

FL; shoreside facility upgrades in Buffalo, NY and Philadelphia, PA; and construction of 

housing in Perry, ME.

Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure $66.8M: Supports shore facility infrastructure 

modifications, upgrades, new construction, and real property and land acquisition associated 

with homeporting new or modified cutters, boats, and aircraft. Includes projects to support 

the homeporting of PSC #1 in Seattle, WA, and NSC #11 in Charleston, SC.

Aircraft $153,600

HC-144 $14.0M: Supports continued Minotaur mission system retrofits, including 

high definition electro-optical infrared camera and other sensor upgrades. Also supports 

purchase of maintenance training systems that will be used to train aircraft technicians at the 

Coast Guard’s Aviation Technical Training Center.

HC-27J $64.0M: Supports continued missionization of these medium-range surveillance 

aircraft, including structural modification and procurement of system components, allowing 

the C-27 to meet the DHS joint operational requirements for aircraft mission systems.

HC-130J $10.0M: Supports procurement of Long Lead Time materials and equipment 

required to transition Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point from HC-130Hs to 

HC-130Js.

MH-65 $45.0M: Supports modernization and sustainment of the Coast Guard’s MH-65 

helicopter fleet. Modernization includes reliability and sustainability improvements where 

obsolete components are replaced with modernized sub-systems, including an integrated 

cockpit and sensor suite.

MH-60T $20.0M: Supports continuation of a Service Life Extension Project for the 

fleet of MH-60T helicopters. The MH-60T contains time-limited structural fittings 

and dynamic components that necessitate a 20,000-hour service life limit. This program 

extends the service life into the mid-2030’s, allowing the Coast Guard to participate in the 

Department of Defense’s Future Vertical Lift program.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) $0.6M: Continues to fund the installation of 

sUAS capability on the NSC, to include procurement and installation of sUAS components. 

The sUAS is intended to address the NSC’s requirement for a persistent airborne 

surveillance capability, and will serve as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 

platform for the cutter.

Other Acquisition Programs $56,360

Cyber and Enterprise Mission Platform $16.5M: Supports program management 

activities and logistics for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, 

and Intelligence (C5I) capabilities spanning all Information Technology (IT) portfolios, 

including infrastructure, communications, cyber, navigation, and domain awareness. 

C4ISR $15.3M: Supports the design, development, and information assurance posture 

of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and 

Reconnaissance (C4ISR) integrated hardware and software systems on NSCs, OPCs, PSCs, 

FRCs, WCCs, and legacy 270-foot WMECs. These assets are using interoperable C4ISR 

system designs to optimize lifecycle costs and operational effectiveness..
32 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 33

Operations and Support Pricing Increases $210,099

Military Pay and Allowances $115.9M: Maintains parity with the Department of 

Defense (DOD) for military pay, allowances, and health care, and retirement contributions, 

including a 3.0 percent military pay raise in FY 2021. As a branch of the Armed Forces 

of the United States, the Coast Guard is subject to the provisions of the National Defense 

Authorization Ac.

Civilian Pay and Allowances $58.9M: Provides funding for required government 

contributions to federal government employee benefits and includes a 1.0 percent civilian 

pay raise in FY 2021, a 1.0 percent increase for award spending in FY 2021, and fully funds 

the FY 2020 enacted civilian pay raise of 3.1 percent.

Readiness Investments

19.7%

$1,654,587

Intermediate 

& Depot Level 

Maintenance

49.6%

$4,157,388

Military Pay and Allowances

13.1%

$1,103,051

Civilian Pay 

& Benefits

3% $230,901

Training & 

Recruiting

11.8%

$993,903

Operating 

Funds & 

Unit Level

Mainenance

1.5% 

$130,714

Reserve

Training

1.1% $93,451 Centrally Managed Accounts

0.2% $13,745 Environmental Compliance & Restoration

$134.0M 205 FTE

Modernize Operational Capability

$18.3M 81 FTE

Support the Mission Ready Total Workforce

$8.0M 1 FTE

Strengthen Shore Infrastructure

$32.4M 3 FTE

Improve C5I Reliability & Performance

Dollars in Thousands

$8,377,740

Operations & Support 

(O&S)
34 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 35

Program Increases $424,303

Modernize Operational Capability

• Operations and Maintenance of New Assets $55.0M 89 FTE: Funds the operations and 

maintenance (O&M) of the ninth NSC; shore-side support personnel in Charleston, SC; 

support for the tactical cryptologic and C5I systems on NSCs; and Small Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems (sUAS) deployments on NSCs. Provides personnel and O&M for two FRCs. Funds 

crew and shore-side maintenance personnel for the first and second OPCs. Provides the 

resources required to operate and maintain new and improved facilities at Air Station Kodiak, 

AK; FRC homeport facilities in Guam; and NSC homeport facilities in Charleston, SC.

• Cybersecurity $32.7M 87 FTE: Supports initial operating capability for cyber enabling 

operations by establishing a Cyber Mission Team (CMT) and Cyber Support Team (CST). 

Establishes a second Cyber Protection Team (CPT) and provides cyber specialists at critical 

ports of entry to facilitate prevention, response, and resilience for cyber incidents in the Marine 

Transportation System. Improves the Coast Guard’s ability to defend its enterprise systems and 

builds organic cyber training capability.

• Transition Air Station Borinquen $29.2M 3 FTE: Supports the transition of Air Station 

Borinquen, Puerto Rico, helicopters from MH-65 to MH-60 to combat TCOs who are using 

instability in the region to increase illicit smuggling activities.

• Aviation Readiness $9.1M: Provides funding to improve operational availability of fixed and 

rotary wing aircraft, including funds for additional spare parts.

• Operational Missions $8.0M 26 FTE: Enhances investigative capacity and cross-Component 

coordination in the Western Hemisphere maritime transit zone to dismantle Transnational 

Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and secure our Nation’s borders from illicit smuggling of all 

kinds. Enhances the Coast Guard’s ability to conduct operations in the Indo-Pacific, with a 

focus on building partner nation capacity, enhancing regional port security, countering Illegal, 

Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and improved coordination with allies and 

multilateral forums. Supports a pilot program to evaluate impacts on Port Security Unit (PSU) 

operational readiness to meet growing expeditionary commitments, support to DOD, and ingarrison training and support requirements. 

Support the Mission Ready Total Workforce

• Mission Ready Total Workforce $12.7M 54 FTE: Increases funding to support Diversity 

and Inclusion initiatives, training and retention in critical areas of expertise, and support to the 

active duty and reserve workforce. Increases funds for the Coast Guard’s ongoing transition to 

electronic health records (EHR).

• Maritime Safety, Security, and Commerce $5.6M 27 FTE: Provides funding to strengthen 

the Coast Guard’s marine safety program through improved marine inspector training, increases 

to the marine inspector workforce, expansion of the third party oversight and auditing program, 

and implementation of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA).

Strengthen Shore Infrastructure

• Safe Homes $8.0M 1 FTE: Supports the emergent need to address potential health risks to 

Coast Guard members and their families residing in government owned housing following more 

stringent EPA standards for lead residue.

Decommission Assets

• Decommission Two High Endurance Cutters (WHECs) -$30.2M -289 FTE: 

Decommissions the final two WHECs in the operational fleet and removes the remaining 

support personnel solely dedicated to sustaining this legacy cutter class.

• Decommission Eight Marine Protector Class 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boats (CPBs) -$3.9M 

-14 FTE: Decommissions eight 87-foot Marine Protector Class CPBs in areas where the 

combination of FRCs and RB-Ms provides sufficient capability to remove the operational need 

for an 87-foot CPB. Overall fleet performance degradation will be minimized since FRCs 

outperform previous patrol boats and RB-Ms are more capable than previous boats.

• Decommission Two Island Class Patrol Boats (WPBs) -$1.4M -56 FTE: Decommissions 

two 110-foot Island Class WPBs. These legacy assets are being replaced by more capable Fast 

Response Cutters (FRCs), which will be in-theater and operational before the legacy WPBs are 

decommissioned.

Efficiencies

• Management -$29.9M -29 FTE: Removes redundancies in professional service contracts 

within the Coast Guard enterprise. Eliminates annual lease cost with the consolidation of 

personnel from a leased facility in Oakland, CA to the government owned Base Alameda, CA. 

Establishes an Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) to streamline the Coast Guard’s 

disability evaluation and medical discharge process.

• Mission Support -$13.0M 93 FTE: Promotes efficiencies to service delivery and sustainment 

of the Coast Guard’s fleet of boats and its execution of logistics compliance. Repurposes 

resources to develop an organic C5I support structure previously provided by contractors. 

Improve C5I Reliability and Performance

• Information Technology Infrastructure Readiness $23.7M 2 FTE: Provides funding to 

recapitalize antiquated workstations, servers, and other network hardware by placing them on 

a fixed cycle. Funds an increase in the bandwidth, reliability, and coverage area for the Coast 

Guard’s surface fleet. Sustains programs that leverage mobile technology for the Coast Guard 

workforce.

• Cutter Underway Connectivity $6.9M: Addresses existing Commercial Satellite 

Communication (COMSATCOM) network connectivity limitations for cutters through 

recapitalization of antiquated hardware, increased bandwidth, and broader coverage.

• Operational Mobility $1.8M 1 FTE: Enhances planning and situational awareness for aviators 

and marine inspectors to increase mission effectiveness in daily operations and contingency 

response.

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) $215.0M 277 FTE: Incorporates activities 

historically funded by Overseas Contingency Operations / Global War On Terror into the Coast 

Guard’s Operations and Support base. The Coast Guard will continue to support DOD for 

Overseas Contingency Operations via deployed patrol vessels, law enforcement teams, and maritime 

counter-terrorism security operations. Investments in FY 2021 enhance the Coast Guard’s ability 

to support DOD by continuing the transition of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia from Island Class 

110-foot Patrol Boats to more capable 154-foot Fast Response Cutters that began in FY 2020. 

Program Decreases ($113,685)
36 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 37

Appropriation (Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2019

Enacted

FY 2020

Enacted

FY 2021

President’s Budget

Operations and Support $7,643,201 $7,991,253 $8,377,740 

Military Pay and Allowances $3,864,816 $4,023,053 $4,157,388 

Civilian Pay and Benefits $939,707 $1,004,319 $1,103,051 

Training and Recruiting $189,983 $210,912 $230,901 

Operating Funds and Unit Level Maintenance $919,533 $929,895 $993,903 

Centrally Managed Accounts $161,441 $161,205 $93,451 

Intermediate and Depot Level Maintenance $1,436,494 $1,517,191 $1,654,587 

Reserve Training $117,758 $124,696 $130,714 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $13,469 $19,982 $13,745 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements $2,248,260 $1,772,506 $1,637,091 

Vessels $1,581,350 $994,000 $1,280,400 

Aircraft $356,000 $504,600 $153,600 

Other Acquisition Programs $56,000 $69,256 $56,360 

Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation (ATON) $254,910 $204,650 $146,731 

Research and Development $20,256 $4,949 $5,276 

Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund $199,360 $205,107 $215,787 

Subtotal Discretionary - Appropriation $10,111,077 $9,973,815 $10,235,894 

Retired Pay $1,739,844 $1,802,309 $1,869,704 

Boat Safety $117,261 $118,882 $118,002 

Maritime Oil Spill Program $101,000 $101,000 $101,000 

Funds $2,864 $2,864 $6,537 

Subtotal Mandatory - Appropriation $1,960,969 $2,025,055 $2,095,243 

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)1 $165,000 $190,000 $0 

TOTAL $12,237,046 $12,188,870 $12,331,137 

1 For FY 2021, funding for missions previously supported by supplemental Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism funds 

has been moved into the Operations and Support appropriation.

Table 1: Appropriation Summary

FY2021 BUDGET TABLES

Table 1: Appropriation Summary

Table 2: Net Discretionary Budget Authority (Breakout 

by Statutory Mission)

Table 3: FY 2021 Procurement, Construction, and 

Improvements (PC&I)

Table 4: Operations and Support FY 2020 to FY 2021 

Budget Change

“A few armed vessels, 

judiciously stationed 

at the entrances of our 

ports, might at a small 

expense be made useful 

sentinels of the laws.”

- Alexander Hamilton

Coast Guard Mission1

(Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2019

Enacted

FY 2020

Enacted

FY 2021

President’s 

Budget

Change from 

FY 2020 to 

FY 2021 (+/-)

Aids to Navigation $1,425,985 $1,309,428 $1,325,050 $15,622 

Defense Readiness $767,008 $553,710 $722,147 $168,437 

Drug Interdiction $1,474,960 $1,868,000 $1,858,712 ($9,288)

Ice Operations $267,983 $460,202 $583,905 $123,703 

Living Marine Resources $974,673 $912,120 $835,718 ($76,402)

Marine Environmental Protection $263,920 $222,109 $239,476 $17,367 

Marine Safety $705,742 $908,573 $926,272 $17,699 

Migrant Interdiction $984,378 $1,002,655 $1,041,269 $38,614 

Other-Law Enforcement (Foreign Fish) $118,563 $344,450 $336,996 ($7,454)

Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security $2,171,203 $1,367,530 $1,375,837 $8,307 

Search and Rescue $956,663 $1,025,038 $990,511 ($34,527)

Net Discretionary 

(Excluding Supplementals and Transfers) $10,111,077 $9,973,815 $10,235,894 $262,079 

Retired Pay $1,739,844 $1,802,309 $1,869,704 $67,395 

Boat Safety $117,261 $118,882 $118,002 ($880)

Maritime Oil Spill Program $101,000 $101,000 $101,000 $0 

Funds $2,864 $2,864 $6,537 $3,673 

Mandatory Funding $1,960,969 $2,025,055 $2,095,243 $70,188 

Overseas Contingency Operations2 $165,000 $190,000 $0 ($190,000)

TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY $12,237,046 $12,188,870 $12,331,137 $328,267 

1

 The Coast Guard budgets by appropriation rather than by individual missions. The Coast Guard projects resource allocations by mission 

through the use of an activity-based costing system. Actual allocations will vary depending on operational environment and mission need.

2

 For FY 2021, funding for missions previously supported by supplemental Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism funds 

has been moved into the Operations and Support appropriation.

Table 2: Net Discretionary Budget Authority (Breakout by 

Statutory Mission)
38 • Posture Statement Posture Statement • 39

Appropriation (Dollars in Thousands)

FY 2021

President’s Budget

Vessels $1,280,400

Survey and Design - Vessel and Boats $2,000

In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) $82,600

National Security Cutter (NSC) $31,000

Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) $546,000

Fast Response Cutter (FRC) $20,000

Cutter Boats $3,800

Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) $25,000

Polar Security Cutter (PSC) $555,000

Polar Sustainment $15,000

Aircraft $153,600

HC-144 Conversion/Sustainment $14,000

HC-27J Conversion/ Sustainment $64,000

MH-65 Conversion/Sustainment $45,000

MH-60T Sustainment $20,000

HC-130J Acquisition/ Conversion/Sustainment $10,000

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) $600

Other $56,360

Program Oversight and Management $20,000

C4ISR $15,260

CG-LIMS $1,100

Other Equipment and Systems $3,500

Cyber and Enterprise Mission Platform $16,500

Shore and ATON $146,731

Major Shore, Housing, AtoN, Survey and Design $74,900

Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure (MASI) $66,831

Minor Shore $5,000

Subtotal $1,637,091

TOTAL $1,637,091

Table 3: FY 2021 Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I)

Pos. FTE Amount

FY 2019 Enacted Budget1 50,141 48,791 7,643,201

FY 2020 Enacted Budget1 50,734 49,393 7,991,253

Adjustments-to-Base

Transfers to and from Other Accounts

Transfer of WCF from USCG to DHS - - -61,448

Total Transfers - - -61,448

Pricing Changes

Increases

 Annualization of 2020 Initiatives - 278 46,097

 Mandatory Personnel Entitlements

 2020 Military Pay Raise - - 19,145

 2021 Military Pay Raise - - 56,981

 2021 Military Allowances - - 39,752

 2020 Civilian Pay Raise - - 30,943

 2021 Civilian Pay Raise - - 8,071

 FERS Agency Contribution Increase - - 9,110

 PPA Technical Base Funding Adjustments

 Technical Adjustments - - [0]

Total Increases - 278 210,099

Decreases

 Annualization of 2020 Reductions - -97 -15,811

 Termination of 2020 One-Time Costs - - -55,164

 FPS Fee Adjustment - - -1,807

Total Decreases - -97 -72,782

Total Adjustments-to-Base - 181 75,869

Program Changes

Increases

 Operating and Maintenance Funds for New Assets 

 Shore Facility Follow-On 4 3 3,138

 Fast Response Cutter (FRC) Follow-On 32 31 7,794

 Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Follow-On 52 31 6,240

 National Security Cutter (NSC) Follow-On 43 24 37,859

 Transition Air Station Borinquen 6 3 29,226

 Operational Adjustments

 Cutter Underway Connectivity - - 6,866

 Information Technology Infrastructure Readiness 3 2 23,701

 Operational Mobility 1 1 1,844

 Cyber Enabling Operations 71 36 17,440

 Cyber Protection and Defense 93 42 13,053

 Maritime Sector Cybersecurity Engagement 14 7 950

 Cyber Operations and Training 4 2 1,235

 Maritime Safety, Security, and Commerce 58 27 5,602

 Countering Transnational Criminal Organizations 27 14 2,464

 Oceania and INDOPACOM Operations 8 8 4,800

 Aviation Readiness - - 9,139

 Reserve Readiness 8 4 683

 Mission Ready Total Workforce Training and Support 104 54 12,720

 Safe Homes Initiative 2 1 8,000

 Electronic Health Record Transition - - 2,400

 Acquisition Support Personnel 30 16 3,101

 Awards Spending Increase - - 10,762

 Optimize Boat Station Footprint -37 -25 286

 Overseas Contingency Operations to Base 334 277 215,000

Total Increases 857 558 424,303

Decreases

 Operational Adjustments

 Integrated Disability Evaluation System 5 3 -4,392

 Management Efficiencies -36 -32 -5,242

 Information Technology Insourcing 95 71 -1,388

 Mission Support Efficiencies 22 22 -11,651

 GSA Building Efficiences - - -800

 Military Allowances Reduction - - -23,175

 Professional Services Efficiencies - - -19,500

 Travel Efficiencies - - -12,000

 Asset Decommissionings and Retirements

 Decommission Two High Endurance Cutters (WHECs) -386 -289 -30,153

 Decommission Two Island Class Patrol Boats (WPBs) -36 -14 -1,445

 Decommision Eight Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boats -104 -56 -3,939

Total Decreases -440 -295 -113,685

Total Program Changes 417 263 310,618

FY 2021 Operations & Support Request 51,151 49,837 8,377,740

FY 2020 to FY 2021 Operations & Support Total Change 417 444 386,487

FY 2021 EC&R - - -

FY 2021 R&D - - 5,276

FY 2021 MERHCFC - - 215,787

FY 2021 PC&I - - 1,637,091

FY 2021 TOTAL DISCRETIONARY 51,151 49,837 10,235,894

1 Excludes funding provided to the Coast Guard for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).

Table 4: Operations and Support (O&S) FY 2020 to FY 2021 Budget Change (cont.)

Table 4: Operations and Support (O&S) FY 2020 to FY 2021 

Budget Change
WE ARE AMERICA’S READY, RELEVANT, 

AND RESPONSIVE U. S. COAST GUARD

With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the 

American People, our homeland, and our values.

Honor, Respect, and

Devotion to Duty.