UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

2017

PERFORMANCE

HIGHLIGHTS

2019

BUDGET

OVERVIEW

POSTURE

STATEMENT
A Coast Guard member 

assigned to Maritime Safety and 

Security Team New Orleans, 

rescues a child in support of 

Hurricane Harvey relief efforts 

in Port Arthur, Texas. The Coast 

Guard partnered with local 

emergency operation centers 

and established an incident 

command post to manage search 

and rescue operations.
I am pleased to provide the Coast Guard’s annual Posture Statement, 

which provides strategic context for the Service, outlines my Fiscal 

Year (FY) 2019 budget priorities, and offers performance highlights 

from 2017. 

The Coast Guard provides a unique and enduring value to the Nation. 

An armed service, with broad law enforcement authorities that 

span the globe, we are uniquely positioned to ensure our national 

security by preserving our maritime borders, protecting critical 

maritime networks in the cyber domain, safeguarding $4.6 trillion 

in annual economic activity on America’s waterways, supporting 

Department of Defense Combatant and Functional Commanders, 

and rapidly responding to natural and man-made disasters. 

Toward these ends, the FY 2019 request advances key Coast Guard 

priorities. Designed to Invest in the 21st Century Coast Guard, 

Sustain Mission Excellence, and Maximize Service to the Nation, 

this budget continues efforts to modernize our aged surface assets 

by funding the Offshore Patrol Cutter, Fast Response Cutter, and 

heavy Polar Icebreaker – a national asset critical to preserving U.S. security and sovereignty in the Polar 

Regions. Further, this budget will make a meaningful investment to extend the service life of our aging 

medium-range recovery helicopter fleet, which has the highest average flight hours of any H-60 fleet 

in the world. The rotary-wing fleet is critical to the Coast Guard’s emergency response capabilities, as 

illustrated during the recent unprecedented hurricane season, when 34 deployed helicopters flew 1,600 

flight hours and completed a majority of the Coast Guard’s nearly 12,000 rescues. These investments, 

coupled with moderate and targeted funding for our workforce, set the conditions for sustained mission 

excellence. 

The 2017 Performance Highlights provided in this year’s Posture Statement demonstrate the Coast Guard’s 

significant return on investment. I am exceptionally proud of the myriad operational successes of our 

active duty, civilian, reserve, and auxiliary personnel. Whether it was during our sustained response to an 

historic hurricane season, another record year removing illicit narcotics from the maritime approaches, 

or providing unique support to Combatant Commanders around the globe, our bias for action and ability to 

rapidly surge resources in response to emerging threats or contingencies distinguishes the Coast Guard 

and yielded unprecedented results. 

History has proven that a responsive, capable, and agile Coast Guard is an indispensable instrument 

of national security. With continued support of the Administration and Congress, the Coast Guard will 

continue to live up to our motto – Semper Paratus – Always Ready.

THE COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

WASHINGTON, D.C.

PAUL F. ZUKUNFT

Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard
America’s Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is the only branch of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Department of Homeland Security. A law enforcement 

agency, member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, and first responder during natural and man-made disasters – the 

Coast Guard leverages an expansive array of interagency, military, international, and industry relationships for maximum 

strategic effect. 

Strategic Landscape 

We live in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. Rapid technological advancement, increasing 

globalization, and intensifying threats from state and non-state actors alike challenge international norms and threaten 

global governance. Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) undermine weak states and fuel instability in Central and 

South America, compromising regional security, economic prosperity, rule of law, and good governance. The surge in drug 

consumption and its ancillary effects in the U.S., to include more than 66,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017, exacerbate the 

challenge, as TCOs and subsidiary networks continue to exploit illicit pathways to bring drugs and other contraband to the 

U.S. market. 

Opportunistic state actors like Russia and China are building military and technological capabilities to exploit emerging 

regions and erode our military advantage. Escalating competition is evident in the Arctic, where Russia’s militarization and 

China’s economic investments have accelerated, effectively challenging U.S. sovereignty and threatening regional stability. 

Economic and national security are inextricably linked, and the U.S. network of ports and waterways rely upon the safe 

and secure flow of commerce to preserve the vitality of our economy. Increased domestic natural gas and hydrocarbon 

transport, deeper U.S. ports, and the expansion of the Panama Canal place ever increasing demands upon a safe and 

efficient Maritime Transportation System. Technological advances and increased automation introduce opportunities, but 

increased connectivity reveals cyber vulnerabilities as well. In preparing for the future, the Coast Guard will leverage its 

agility and broad operational capabilities to protect our Nation and ensure its prosperity.

Strategic Focus

The Coast Guard is a strategy-driven organization, where intelligence drives operations and risk-based decisions make 

best use of resources to maximize our enduring value to the Nation. While the Coast Guard will remain active globally – from 

the high latitudes in the Arctic and Antarctica to the Persian Gulf and beyond – we will continue to implement a suite of 

regional and functional strategies to drive Coast Guard operations and capital investments. These strategies are informed 

by the National Security Strategy, applicable Department of Homeland Security strategies, and are coordinated to augment 

Department of Defense priorities.

POSTURE STATEMENT
I. Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations. TCOs are funded by profits from drug and human trafficking 

operations. Drug-fueled violence weakens the rule of law; threatens regional security, prosperity, and governance; 

and prompts illegal migration. Leveraging an intelligence-driven, whole-of-government approach, the Coast Guard 

severs the supply lines of criminal networks by interdicting drugs and apprehending traffickers where they are most 

vulnerable – at sea. The Coast Guard’s long-term counter-TCO effort integrates over 60 multi and bilateral agreements 

with a host of government organizations, both at home and in key countries of origin like Colombia and Mexico, to 

improve information sharing, advance unity of effort, and strengthen the rule of law. With the Department of Homeland 

Security, the Coast Guard fosters diplomatic partnerships, leverages our dual status as a military service and law 

enforcement agency, and capitalizes on our Intelligence Community membership to support this fight.

II. Securing the Southern Border. Border security not only requires the defense of our ports, waterways, and infrastructure 

at home, it also necessitates an offshore presence to identify and disrupt illicit networks long before they reach our 

shores. The only agency capable of providing at-sea interdiction, the Coast Guard executes a defense in-depth 

approach to improve awareness, prioritize threats, and advance an adaptable defense interdiction posture. Early threat 

detection requires close coordination between and among maritime partners, intelligence collectors, and state-of-theart technologies, such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs). The Coast Guard partners with other components of the 

Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, State, and Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence 

to enhance this unity of effort. By fully leveraging strategic intelligence and planning, along with the full suite of 

platforms and technological tools, the Coast Guard is able to optimize our presence and confront maritime threats far 

from the homeland.

III. Safeguarding Maritime Commerce. The U.S. has one of the largest systems of ports, waterways, and critical maritime 

infrastructure in the world, and it represents a key advantage underlying our economic competitiveness. The Maritime 

Transportation System (MTS) supports over $4.6 trillion of annual economic activity, is a conduit for nearly 90 percent 

of U.S. trade by volume, and accounts for more than 23 million U.S. jobs. As technological advances introduce 

opportunities – and risks – the Coast Guard must keep pace with the increasing use, complexity, and interconnectivity 

in the MTS to ensure we are facilitating – and not impeding – this vital maritime highway system.

IV. Enhancing Cybersecurity. Virtually every aspect of modern life is undeniably linked to global networks, and increasingly 

complex, frequent, and malicious cyber activities pose serious threats to security and privacy. Guided by the tenets 

of its Cyber Strategy, the Coast Guard continues to invest in our own cybersecurity while developing a diverse cyber 

workforce to address this growing national security challenge. Leveraging 227 years of operational experience and 

relationships with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as maritime industry partners, the Coast Guard 

is the trusted, physical presence in America’s ports and waterways. By leveraging Captain of the Port authorities 

and 43 Area Maritime Security Committees, the Coast Guard works with federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector 

stakeholders to develop measures, which promote cyber risk management to secure our critical maritime infrastructure 

from those who seek to do it harm.

V. Preserving Security and Sovereignty in the Polar Regions. The U.S. faces 

growing military and economic competition in the Arctic, as melting ice 

provides greater access to the region’s resources. The Nation’s only 

military icebreaking Service, the Coast Guard enhances maritime domain 

awareness, facilitates modernized governance structures, and promotes 

broad partnerships to meet security and safety needs in this vital region. 

Coast Guard polar icebreakers can ensure year-round access to both Polar 

Regions. These national assets preserve our sovereign rights, ensure 

national security, and protect commerce and safety of life at sea.

Investing in the 21st Century Coast Guard

Complex challenges demand contemporary solutions, and funding 21st century Coast Guard platforms and people is a 

smart investment in our security and prosperity. Modern assets bring exceptional capability, but our greatest strength will 

always be our people. Successful Coast Guard operations require a capable, proficient, and resilient workforce that draws 

upon the broad range of skills, talents, and experiences found in the American population. Together, modern platforms 

and a strong, resilient workforce will maximize the Coast Guard’s capacity to confront the challenges, both domestic and 

international, to our national security and American way of life. 

“We will be building the first 

new heavy icebreakers the 

United States has seen in over 

40 years. We’re gonna build 

many of them. We need ‘em,”

– President Donald J. Trump
The Coast Guard’s FY 2019 Budget sustains Coast Guard operations and continues the Service’s most critical recapitalization 

efforts for cutters, boats, aircraft, systems, and infrastructure. The budget also efficiently allocates resources to optimize 

Coast Guard mission performance. The Coast Guard must continue meeting today’s operational requirements while investing 

in future capability to best serve the Nation.

The Coast Guard’s FY 2019 Budget priorities are:

FY 2019 BUDGET PRIORITIES

Invest

in the 21st Century 

Coast Guard

Sustain

Mission

Excellence

Maximize

Value to

the Nation
 Invest in the 21st Century Coast Guard Coast Guard mission demands continue to grow and evolve. The complexities and challenges facing the Nation 

require well-trained Coast Guard men and women with capable platforms providing the persistent presence 

necessary to conduct operations. Given the age and condition of the Coast Guard’s legacy assets, future mission 

success relies on continued recapitalization of Coast Guard boats, cutters, aircraft, systems, and infrastructure.

The FY 2019 Budget provides funding for construction of the second Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and Long 

Lead Time Material (LLTM) for the third. OPCs will be the cornerstone of our Service’s future surface fleet and 

comprise 70 percent of the Coast Guard’s offshore presence. Furthermore, the budget provides funds to continue 

acquisition of new polar icebreakers to meet growing demands in the Polar Regions, as well as funding for a 

Service Life Extension Project for the POLAR STAR. The FY 2019 budget provides funding for four Fast Response 

Cutters (FRCs) and continues efforts to recapitalize our Service’s aging Inland Waterways and Western Rivers 

Tender fleet by providing funds to conduct an alternatives analysis. In 

addition to surface recapitalization efforts, the FY 2019 Budget continues 

sustainment and conversion work on in-service fixed and rotary wing 

aircraft, including missionization of the C-27J aircraft received from the 

Air Force, and investment in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), 

which have proven to be highly successful in achieving strategic 

objectives in the Western Hemisphere.

 Sustain Mission Excellence

The FY 2019 Budget ensures the Coast Guard can conduct today’s highest priority operations in support of 

national objectives. Most importantly, it sustains the Coast Guard’s workforce and supports proficiency, 

maximizing operational safety and effectiveness. In 2019, the Coast Guard will accept delivery of more capable, 

modernized assets, including one National Security Cutter and six Fast Response Cutters. In all, the FY 2019 

Budget increases the workforce by 109 positions to support Coast Guard activities across six mission programs.

 Maximize Value to the Nation

To best serve the Nation, the Coast Guard must continue to meet evolving mission requirements stemming 

from national priorities and remain a trusted steward of public resources. The 2019 Budget sustains frontline 

operations by efficiently allocating resources across all mission programs. Coast Guard Operational Commanders 

will maintain search and rescue coverage, protect critical infrastructure, counter illicit threats from entering the 

United States, facilitate safe navigation within the vital Maritime Transportation System (MTS), safeguard the 

maritime environment, support foreign policy objectives, and conduct defense operations.

THE FY19 BUDGET OVERVIEW

“Defense of the Southwest 

border really starts about 

1,500 miles south,”

– General John Kelly

White House Chief of Staff
Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I)

Appropriation name reflects the Coast Guard’s transition to the Common Appropriations Structure (CAS) in FY 2019.

Surface Assets $1,543.8 million

The budget provides for the following surface asset recapitalization and sustainment initiatives:

➢ National Security Cutter (NSC) – Provides funding for Post 

Delivery Activities for the seventh through ninth NSCs, and 

test and evaluation activities. The acquisition of the NSC is 

vital to performing DHS missions in the far offshore regions, 

including the harsh operating environments of the Pacific 

Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic. The NSC also provides a robust 

command and control platform for homeland security and 

contingency operations;

➢ Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) – Provides funding for 

construction of the second and Long Lead Time Material 

(LLTM) for the third OPC, which are scheduled for delivery in 

2022 and 2023, respectively. The OPC will replace the Medium 

Endurance Cutters that conduct missions on the high seas and 

coastal approaches;

➢ Fast Response Cutter (FRC) – Funds procurement of four 

FRCs, totaling 52 of 58 on contract. These assets replace the 

less capable 110-foot patrol boats, enhancing the Coast Guard’s 

coastal capability to conduct Search and Rescue operations, 

enforce border security, interdict drugs, uphold immigration 

laws, prevent terrorism, and enhance resiliency to disasters;

➢ Polar Icebreaker – Continues efforts to award a contract for 

detail design and construction in 2019, and scheduled delivery 

of the first new heavy polar icebreaker in 2023. The program 

will provide the Nation with assured surface access to the Polar 

Regions for decades to come;

➢ Polar Sustainment – Supports program management 

activities, survey and design efforts, and LLTM purchases for 

a multi-year Service Life Extension Project for POLAR STAR to 

provide surface presence in the Polar Regions;

➢ Waterways Commerce Cutter – Provides funding for 

acquisition planning activities to continue evaluation for the 

replacement of the multi-mission platform’s integral to the 

protection of maritime commerce on the inland rivers;

➢ Cutter Boats – Continues funding for production of multimission cutter boats that will be fielded on the Coast Guard’s 

major cutter fleet, including the NSC;

➢ In-Service Vessel Sustainment – Continues funding for 

sustainment projects on 140-foot Ice Breaking Tugs, 225-foot 

Seagoing Buoy Tenders, 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutters, 

and 47-foot Motor Lifeboats; and

➢ Survey and Design – Continues funding for multi-year 

engineering and design work for multiple cutter classes in 

support of future sustainment projects. Funds are included to 

conduct a Mid-Life Maintenance Availability (MMA) on the 

CGC HEALY.
Air Assets $148.0 million

The budget provides for the following air asset recapitalization or enhancement initiatives:

➢ HC-27 – Funds continue missionization activities of the 

C-27J, including funding for spare parts, logistics, training, 

and mission system development;

➢ HC-144 – Funds continue Minotaur mission system 

retrofits and provide high-definition electro-optical 

infrared cameras to meet the DHS Joint Operational 

Requirements Document;

➢ HH-65 – Continues modernization and sustainment of the 

Coast Guard’s fleet of H-65 Short Range Recovery (SRR) 

helicopters, converting them to multi-mission MH-65E 

variants. The modernization effort includes reliability and 

sustainability improvements, where obsolete components 

are replaced with modernized sub-systems, including an 

integrated cockpit and sensor suite. Initial funding is also 

included to extend aircraft service life for an additional 

10,000 hours;

➢ MH-60 – Includes initial funding to extend aircraft service 

life for an additional 10,000 hours to better align with 

DOD’s H-60 replacement timeline; and

➢ sUAS – Continues program funding to deploy small 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) onboard the NSC 

allowing inceased interdiction through greater Intelligence, 

Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).

Shore Units and Aids to Navigation (ATON) $135.0 million

The budget provides funding to recapitalize shore infrastructure that supports Coast Guard assets and personnel, as well as 

construction and improvements to ensure public safety on waterways:

➢ Specific Projects – Funds continued renovation and 

modernization of Chase Hall Barracks at the Coast 

Guard Academy, site work and construction of a new 

residential complex in Wailupe, Hawaii, and other minor 

repairs/improvements; and

➢ Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure – Funds 

modification and construction of facilities to support newly 

arriving assets. Includes upgrades and construction for 

NSC, FRC, OPC homeports and also supports upgrades for 

Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii to transition to C-130Js.

Other (Asset Recapitalization) $60.0 million

The budget provides for other initiatives funded under the Procurement, Construction, and Improvements account, including the 

following equipment and services: 

➢ Command, Control, Communications, Computers, 

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance 

(C4ISR) – Provides design, development, upgrades, and 

assistance on C4ISR hardware and software for new and 

in-service assets;

➢ Program Oversight and Management – Funds activities 

associated with the transition of the Coast Guard’s assets 

from acquisition to operations, including delivery, provision 

of logistics, training, and other services necessary to 

ensure seamless integration into the operational fleet;

➢ CG-Logistics Information Management System – 

Continues development and deployment of this system to 

Coast Guard operational assets; and

➢ Other Equipment and Systems – Funds end-use items 

costing more than $250,000 used to support Coast Guard 

missions, including equipment to support the operation 

and maintenance of vessels, aircraft, and infrastructure.
Operations and Support (O&S)

Appropriation name reflects the Coast Guard’s transition to the Common Appropriations Structure (CAS) in FY 2019.

Operations and Maintenance of New Assets

+$63.2 million (+189 FTE)

Funds operations and maintenance of shore facilities and provides sustainment funding for new cutters, boats, aircraft, and associated 

C4ISR subsystems delivered through acquisition efforts:

➢ Shore Facilities – Funds operations and maintenance of 

shore facility projects scheduled for completion prior to FY 

2019;

➢ FRC – Funds operations and maintenance of FRCs #31-36, 

as well as personnel for FRC crews #34-38 and shore-side 

support for FRC homeports in Cape May, NJ; Galveston, TX; 

Honolulu, HI; San Juan, PR; and San Pedro, CA;

➢ NSC – Funds operations and maintenance of NSC #8, as well 

as personnel for NSC SCIF crew and analytical support, and 

shore-side support for a third NSC homeport in Honolulu, HI;

➢ C-27J Aircraft – Funds fixed-wing aircraft support personnel 

at the Aviation Logistics Center; and

➢ HC-130J Aircraft – Funds operations, maintenance, and 

personnel for HC-130J airframes #10-11.
Pay & Allowances

+$101.4 million

As a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Coast 

Guard is subject to the provisions of the National Defense 

Authorization Act, which include pay and personnel benefits 

for the military workforce. The FY 2019 Budget maintains parity 

with DOD for military pay, allowances, and health care, and for 

civilian benefits and retirement contributions, including a 2.6 

percent military pay raise in FY 2019.

Asset Decommissionings

As the Coast Guard recapitalizes its cutter and aircraft fleets and 

brings new assets into service, the older assets that are being 

replaced will be decommissioned:

➢ HC-130H Aircraft -$16.2 million (-56 FTE)

Decommissions four HC-130H aircraft. These assets are 

being replaced with HC-130J aircraft.

Operational Adjustments

In FY 2019, the Coast Guard will make sound, risk based 

operational decisions while investing in critical recapitalization 

and new workforce initiatives:

➢ Obsolete Equipment Replacement

+$10.7 million (+1 FTE)

Funds the replacement of obsolete cutter and aircraft 

equipment; including: MILSATCOM Mobile User Objective 

System (MUOS), and Cutter Underway Connectivity 

equipment;

➢ DHS Immigration Database Initiative (IDI) 

+$0.1 million (+1 FTE)

Provides funding to integrate immigration data and inform 

and strengthen decision-making between USCG, CBP, 

and ICE;

➢ Mission Essential Systems +$5.0 million (0 FTE)

Funds sustainment of critical network infrastructure 

necessary to comply with DOD information network and 

cybersecurity requirements;

➢ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Compliance 

+$20.2 million (0 FTE)

Funds aircraft equipment upgrades and associated equipment 

replacement necessary to comply with FAA 2020 airspace 

requirements;

➢ Acquisition Personnel and Management 

+$6.8 million (+46 FTE)

Provides funding to increase the Coast Guard’s professional 

acquisition workforce to support recapitalization efforts; and

➢ Elimination of the Crew Rotation Concept (CRC) 

Pilot Program -$31.7 million (-231 FTE)

Eliminates funding for CRC operations on NSC hulls #1-3 

homeported in Alameda, California. Elimination of the 

CRC program standardizes operations across the NSC fleet 

and avoids costly and inefficient CRC implementation on 

other NSCs.
Appropriation ($000) FY 2017

Enacted

FY 2018

President’s Budget

FY 2019

President’s Budget

Operations and Support (O&S)1 6,916,936 7,213,464 7,792,498 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I)1 1,370,007 1,203,745 1,886,750 

Research and Development (R&D)1 36,319 18,641 19,109 

Reserve Training (RT)2 112,302 114,875 - 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration (EC&R)2 13,315 13,397 - 

Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund Contribution (MERHCFC)2 175,506 195,784 - 

Sub-Total (Discretionary Funding) 8,624,385 8,759,906 9,698,357 

Retired Pay 1,666,940 1,690,824 1,734,844 

Boat Safety 113,049 118,416 114,682 

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

Funds 2,829 2,864 2,864 

Sub-Total (Mandatory Funding) 1,883,818 1,913,104 1,953,390 

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) Contribution [45,000] [45,000] [45,000] 

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) 162,692 - - 

Sub-Total (Transfers & Supplementals) 162,692 - - 

TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY 10,670,895 10,673,010 11,651,747 

1

 Appropriation names reflect the Coast Guard’s transition to the Common Appropriations Structure (CAS) in FY 2019 

2

 Appropriation funding transferred to Operations and Support in FY 2019 

Table 1: Appropriation Summary

Table 2: Net Discretionary Budget Authority – Breakout by Statutory Mission

Coast Guard Mission ($000) FY 2017

Enacted

FY 2018

President’s Budget

FY 2019 

Request

FY 2018 +/-

FY2019

Aids to Navigation $1,347,180 $1,283,614 $1,418,384 $134,770

Defense Readiness $406,751 $599,748 $593,160 -$6,588

Drug Interdiction $1,366,883 $1,479,440 $1,414,807 -$64,633

Ice Operations $386,863 $186,136 $259,436 $73,300

Living Marine Resources $888,026 $896,369 $934,106 $37,737

Marine Environmental Protection $207,244 $217,744 $260,574 $42,830

Marine Safety $568,322 $549,718 $703,796 $154,078

Migrant Interdiction $785,747 $874,666 $927,195 $52,529

Other-Law Enforcement (Foreign Fish) $117,433 $112,287 $114,833 $2,546

Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security $1,678,786 $1,756,284 $2,142,068 $385,784

Search and Rescue $871,150 $803,901 $929,998 $126,097

Net Discretionary (Excluding Supplementals & Transfers) $8,624,385 $8,759,907 $9,698,357 $938,450

Retired Pay $1,666,940 $1,690,824 $1,734,844 $44,020

Boat Safety $113,049 $118,416 $114,682 -$3,734

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

Gift Fund $2,829 $2,864 $2,864 $0

Mandatory Funding $1,883,818 $1,913,104 $1,953,390 $40,286

OSLTF Contribution [$45,000] [$45,000] [$45,000] [$45,000]

Overseas Contingency Operations $162,692 $0 $0 $0

TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY1 $10,670,895 $10,673,011 $11,651,747 $978,735

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.
Appropriations ($000) FY 2019

President’s Budget

Vessels $1,543,750

Survey and Design – Vessel and Boats $500

In-Service Vessel Sustainment $63,250

National Security Cutter (NSC) $65,000

Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) $400,000

Fast Response Cutter (FRC) $240,000

Cutter Boats $5,000

Waterways Commerce Cutter $5,000

Polar Icebreaker $750,000

Polar Sustainment $15,000

Aircraft $148,000

HC-144A Conversion/Sustainment $17,000

HC-27J Conversion/Sustainment $80,000

HH-65 Conversion/Sustainment Projects $20,000

MH-60T Sustainment $25,000

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) $6,000

Other $60,000

Program Oversight and Management $20,000

C4ISR $23,300

CG-LIMS $13,200

Other Equipment and Systems $3,500

Shore and ATON $135,000

Major Shore, ATON and S&D $30,000

Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure $100,000

Minor Shore $5,000

TOTAL $1,886,750

Table 3: FY 2019 Procurement, Construction, and Improvement (PC&I)
Pos. FTE Amoun

FY 2017 Enacted1 48,42  48,259 6,916,9

FY 2018 President's Budget 48677  47181  7,213

Adjustments-t

 Transfers of Legacy Appropriations to O&S (CAS Tr

 Transfer from Environmental Compliance and Restoraion25  23 

 Transfer from Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund Cntibution 

 Transfer from Procurement, Construction, and Improvemens 91  835  1

 Transfer from Reserve Training 416 409 114,875

 Transfer of St. Elizabeths IT Supprt fomUSG to DHS

 Transfer of WCF Contributions rom USCG o HS CHCO

 Total Transfers 1355  1267  424

Pricing Chan

  Inc

  Annualizatio of FY 2018 Initativs -  28

  Mandatory Personnel En

   Annualization of 2018 Military and CivilianPa Raise 

 2018 DAA Military Pay Raise Ajutment 

 2019 Military Pay Raie   -  46

 2019 Military Allowace -  -  

 2019 Civilian Allowanes-  -  

   Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care FndAdjust

  Operational Adj

   GSA and Other Governenal Ren

   OCONUS (Kodiak) Base Operating Supor Servi

  PPA Technical Base Funding 

   Military and Civilian FTP and FTETrnsfe

   PPA Funding Adjstent 

 Total Increaes - 288  16

 Dec

 Termination of One-Time Cost - -  (37,

  Annualizatio of FY 2018 Initiative Rductions -  (1

 Total Decreses -  (145) (

 Total Adjustments-to-Bas 1,355 1,410  

Program Cha

  Inc

  Operational Adj

   Aircaft FAA Compliance & Obsolete EquipmntReplace

   MILSATCOM Obsolete EquipmntReplac

   Mission Essential Systms(MES) 

   Cutter Underway Connectivity Obsolete Equipen Repla

   DHS Immigration Database Initatve (

   Department of State Passports (Official  Dplom

   Acquisition Personnel & Managmen 92  4

  Operating and Maintenance Funds for

   Shore FacilityFolow-On

   Fast Response Cutter (FR) Folow-On 

   National Security Cutter NSC Follow

   C-27J Aircraft Suppor Fllow

 HC-130J Aircraft Follw-O 66  34

 Total Increase 452 237  10

  De

  Operational Adj

   Elimination of Crew Rotation Concept Pilot Program (23

   St. Elizabeths Physicl ecurity

  Asset Decommissionings and Ret

   Four HC-130H Aircraft - Planned (112) (56)

 Total Decreases (343) (287) (

 Total Program Change 109  (50) 5

FY 2019 Current Services 5,141  4,541  7,79

FY 2019 Operations & Support Reuest 50141  48,54

FY 2018 to FY 2019 Operations & Support Tota Chang 1,464  

1 Excludes funding provided to the Coast Guard for Overseas Contingency O

Table 4: Operations and Support FY 2018 to FY 2019 Budget Change

(dollars in thousands)
On an average day, the Coast Guard: 

Conducts 44 search and rescue cases; saves 12 lives; assists 60 people in distress; 

seizes 1,221 pounds of cocaine and 85 pounds of marijuana; 

conducts 48 waterborne patrols of critical maritime infrastructure; interdicts 7 undocumented migrants;

escorts 9 high-capacity passenger vessels; conducts 12 security boardings in and around U.S. ports;

screens 329 merchant vessels for potential security threats prior to arrival in U.S. ports;

conducts 15 fisheries conservation boardings; services 80 buoys and fixed aids to navigation;

investigates 34 pollution incidents; completes 23 safety examinations on foreign vessels;

conducts 107 marine inspections; investigates 50 marine casualties involving commercial vessels;

facilitates movement of $12.6B worth of goods and commodities through 

the Nation’s Maritime Transportation System.

Semper Paratus – Always Ready
The Coast Guard Cutter JAMES serves as a command 

and control platform in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 

cutter’s crew deployed to aid in Hurricane Maria 

response operations and the ship’s communications 

capabilities were utilized to help first responders 

coordinate efforts. 
The Coast Guard effectively and efficiently performs activities that support the Department of Homeland Security in its mission 

priorities: Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security, Secure and Manage Our Borders, Enforce and Administer Our Immigration 

Laws, Safeguard and Secure Cyberspace, and Ensure Resilience to Disasters.

Coast Guard activities cross six mission programs:

1. Maritime Law Enforcement; 

2. Maritime Response;

3. Maritime Prevention;

4. Maritime Transportation System Management;

5. Maritime Security Operations;

6. Defense Operations.

Every day Coast Guard men and women work with DHS, DOD, and other Federal, State, local, tribal, territorial, and international 

partners to provide the service the Nation has come to expect over our 227 year history. In 2017, operations across the six 

Coast Guard mission programs supported National goals and achieved phenomenal results.

2017 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Coast Guard Cutter STRATTON crewmembers 

aboard Coast Guard small boat return to the ship 

after a successful mission. In September, Coast 

Guard Cutter STRATTON offloaded over 50,000 

pounds of cocaine and heroin. 
MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Maritime Law Enforcement program protects America’s maritime borders from 

encroachment, defends our Nation’s maritime sovereignty, facilitates legitimate 

use of the waterways, and suppresses violations of U.S. Federal law on, under, 

and over the seas. The Coast Guard is the lead federal maritime law enforcement 

agency and the only agency with both the authorities and capabilities to enforce 

national and international law on the high seas, outer continental shelf, and inward 

from the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to inland navigable waters, including 

the Great Lakes.

New ships equipped with enhanced intelligence capabilities leverage interagency 

resources to complement the work of Coast Guard crews to stem the persistent 

drug flow in the Western Hemisphere Transit Zone. In 2017, the Coast Guard once 

again surpassed its annual record, interdicting over 223 metric tons of cocaine 

from the maritime domain and detaining 708 suspected smugglers for prosecution. 

In September, Coast Guard Cutter STRATTON offloaded over 50,000 pounds of 

cocaine and heroin. This was a result of collaborative efforts between four U.S. 

Coast Guard cutters, Coast Guard and CBP Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and a U.S. 

Navy ship from 25 separate interdictions.

The Coast Guard secures the Southern Border and Approaches by conducting 

patrols and coordinating with other Federal agencies and foreign countries to 

interdict undocumented migrants at sea, denying them entry via maritime routes 

to the United States, its territories, and possessions. Thousands of people attempt 

to illegally enter the United States every year using maritime routes, many via 

smuggling operations. Interdicting migrants at sea reduces the safety risks 

involved in such transits. Migrants can be quickly returned to their countries of 

origin, avoiding the more costly processes required if they successfully enter the 

United States. In 2017, the Coast Guard interdicted 2,510 undocumented migrants 

attempting to illegally enter the United States by maritime routes and repatriated 

1,532 Cuban migrants, 451 Dominican migrants, and 1,442 Haitian migrants back to 

their country of origin.

To protect America’s natural resources, endangered marine species, and marine 

sanctuaries, the Coast Guard conducted 5,500 fisheries boardings on U.S. vessels 

and cited 158 significant fishery violations. Close collaboration with partner 

agencies was a key part of this effort. The Coast Guard also conducted other law 

enforcement mission responsibilities related to foreign flagged fishing vessels. 

Under the auspices of bilateral enforcement agreements and Regional Fisheries 

Management Organizations, the Coast Guard boarded 86 foreign vessels on the 

high seas and in EEZs of partner nations to suppress Illegal, Unregulated, and 

Underreported (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing is global in reach, harmful to ecosystems, 

and a threat to global food security. The Coast Guard’s efforts are critical to 

stemming this illegal activity. The Coast Guard also detected 136 illegal incursions 

by foreign flagged fishing vessels into the U.S. EEZ and interdicted 31 vessels, 

protecting our Nation’s sovereignty and natural resources.

$6.6

 billion

Wholesale value of illegal narcotics

removed by the Coast Guard in 2017.

OUR BUDGET AT WORK 

As the lead Federal agency for drug interdiction on the 

high seas, Coast Guard operations support national and 

international strategies to deter and disrupt illegal drug 

traffickers. These efforts are crucial to Federal efforts to 

dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs)/

Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs), and prevent 

transnational threats from reaching U.S. shores. 
A Coast Guard member of the Pacific Strike Team, 

observes crane operations as they remove a sunken 

vessel from Great Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin 

Islands, in the aftermath of Hurrice Maria, as part of 

the Emergency Support Function 10 response. 
MARITIME RESPONSE

The Maritime Response program mitigates the consequences of marine casualties 

and disastrous events. The Coast Guard minimizes loss of life and property by 

searching for and rescuing persons in distress in the maritime environment. Coast 

Guard preparedness efforts ensure incident response and recovery resources are 

fully ready and capable to minimize impacts of disasters to people, the environment, 

and the economy.

As the federal expert in search and rescue and marine pollution response, the 

Coast Guard is an effective leader in the maritime domain. During August and 

September, the Coast Guard launched one of the largest responses in its history to 

assist victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. By mobilizing more than 2,900 

personnel, 66 helicopters, 28 fixed wing aircraft, 29 cutters, and 115 shallow water 

assets, the Coast Guard rescued or assisted nearly 12,000 people. Despite the 

evacuation of many active duty and reserve Service members, the displacement 

of their families, and extensive infrastructure damage to the impacted geographic 

areas, the Coast Guard continued to answer the call of duty through search and 

rescue, Maritime Transportation System recovery, and pollution response.

The Coast Guard’s robust multi-mission capability and bias for action enable 

protection of life, property, and the environment in the united Federal, state, 

territorial, and local response to disasters. In addition to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, 

and Maria, the Service responded to 16,069 Search and Rescue (SAR) cases in 

2017, assisted 22,004 people, saved 4,228 lives, and protected approximately $76 

million in property loss. For example, on the evening of June 17, 2017, Coast Guard 

Sector Southeastern New England received notification that the high-speed ferry 

IYANOUGH, with 48 passengers and nine crewmembers, collided with the Hyannis 

Harbor West Jetty while operating in limited visibility, gale force winds, and 

dense fog. Air Station Cape Cod’s MH-60 helicopter hoisted the critically injured 

victims and transported them to the nearest hospital. The Sector Command Center 

coordinated efforts between the Coast Guard and local agency response boats for 

a safe, efficient, and coordinated response. Rescue assets overcame challenging 

sea conditions and winds in excess of 30 knots to save the remaining passengers 

and crew. 

As the principal Federal Maritime Security Coordinator and Federal On-Scene 

Coordinator in the coastal zone, the Coast Guard coordinates the response to oil 

and other hazardous material spills in navigable waterways up to and including 

Spills of National Significance. In response to the environmental damage caused 

by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Unified Commands (UCs) were established 

across Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to ensure command 

and control with Federal, state, and local response agencies. In Florida, where 

much of the impacted area is considered environmentally sensitive, the UC 

deployed over 1,200 personnel and identified more than 750 sunken vessels for 

removal within days of Irma’s landfall.

4,228

Lives saved 

during Coast Guard 

operations in 2017.

OUR BUDGET AT WORK 

The Coast Guard provides emergency response to save lives 

in peril, minimize loss of life, injury, and property damage. 

Responsible for the execution of the National Search and Rescue 

Plan, the Coast Guard plans searches, organizes, and dispatches 

assets to search, locate, and rescue mariners in distress, and 

provides initial medical advice, assistance, and evacuation. The 

Coast Guard relies on extensive partnerships to conduct SAR and 

coordinates SAR operations with international, federal, state, 

local, and tribal authorities.
Facilities inspectors walk the pier at the Domino Sugar factory 

to conduct part of the MTSA compliance inspection. Along with 

inspecting vessels, the Coast Guard’s port state and security 

branch has the job of inspecting facilities that transfer to or from 

vessels with a capacity of oil greater than 250 barrels. 
MARITIME PREVENTION

The Maritime Prevention program mitigates the risk of human casualties and 

property losses, minimizes security risks, and protects the marine environment. 

The Coast Guard does so by providing the maritime governance that ensures 

safe, secure, and environmentally sound maritime approaches to the Nation.

Maritime governance is established by Coast Guard regulations and operating 

standards for domestic vessels and marine facilities. Enforcement of those 

regulations occurs primarily through comprehensive inspections. In 2017, the 

Service conducted over 25,000 container inspections and monitored 1,000 oil, 

hazardous substance, or explosive transfers to ensure security of the maritime 

domain. The Coast Guard also inspected more than 16,000 marine facilities for 

compliance with safety and environmental protection regulations. In addition, 

the Coast Guard investigates commercial marine casualties to determine 

causal factors and provide recommendations to prevent future incidents. In 

2017, the Coast Guard conducted more than 3,300 incident investigations, after 

having initiated more than 18,600 preliminary investigations, and partnered 

with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate 27 major 

marine casualties involving public interest vessels.

The Coast Guard also regulates recreational boating. In 2017, the Coast 

Guard boarded over 41,800 recreational vessels and conducted over 2,500 

recreational boat manufacturer inspections to ensure compliance with federal 

regulations. 

As an active member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 

the Coast Guard shares a global responsibility to facilitate safe and secure 

maritime commerce. Through the Port State Control program, the Coast Guard 

conducted over 9,100 safety examinations on foreign commercial vessels, 

resulting in 75 operational control restrictions reportable to the IMO.

The Coast Guard also minimizes security risks to the homeland through 

activities to prevent incidents in the maritime domain, to the global supply 

chain, or to the maritime transportation system. In 2017, the Service conducted 

over 5,300 security-related inspections at Maritime Transportation Security 

Act regulated facilities to identify potential port security risks. The Coast 

Guard also visited more than 50 maritime trading partner countries to assess 

the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures in over 150 foreign port facilities.

OUR BUDGET AT WORK 

As a component of the Department of Homeland Security, 

the Coast Guard minimizes security risks to the Nation 

by screening vessels, crew members, passengers, and 

insuring compliance with international and domestic 

safety regulations.

$4.6

 trillion

Economic activity linked to U.S. 

waterways every year.
A crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter 

FIR, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender homeported 

in Astoria, Oregon, replaces an LED light atop 

buoy 14 during buoy operations at the mouth of 

the Columbia River. 
MARITIME TRANSPORTATION

SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

The Maritime Transportation System Management program ensures a safe, 

secure, and environmentally sound waterways system. The Coast Guard 

minimizes disruptions to maritime commerce by assessing and mitigating risks 

to safe navigation by providing waterways restoration capabilities after extreme 

weather events, marine accidents, or intentional incidents. The Coast Guard 

works in concert with other Federal agencies, state and local governments, 

marine industries, maritime associations, and the international community 

to optimize balanced use of the Nation’s Maritime Transportation System. 

The Coast Guard also works with these key maritime industry stakeholders 

to recognize and address the growing cyber security vulnerabilities to the 

Maritime Transportation System.

Our Nation’s waterways support $4.6 trillion in economic activity for the United 

States. In 2017, the Coast Guard played a critical role in facilitating the safe 

transport of goods and services within the Maritime Transportation System by 

performing maintenance on 29,295 buoys and beacons and responding to more 

than 7,700 aids to navigation infrastructure discrepancies.

The Coast Guard is leveraging technology to improve safety and resilience of the 

Maritime Transportation System. In conjunction with port partners and industry 

stakeholders, electronic aids to navigation are being tested in locations in which 

they can best augment, and possibly replace, the existing physical system of 

buoys and beacons. The Coast Guard envisions an integrated system where a 

combination of electronic and physical Aids to Navigation (ATON) improves the 

overall safety, efficiency, and resiliency of our waterways. Following Hurricane 

Harvey, the Coast Guard employed Electronic Aids to Navigation (eATON) to 

provide temporary markings along the Gulf Coast where physical ATON were 

destroyed or damaged in the storm. These efforts were vital to enabling the 

Port of Houston-Galveston, the Nation’s second busiest port, to re-open only 

seven days after the hurricane made landfall.

Coast Guard domestic icebreakers conducted more than 5,300 hours of 

icebreaking to facilitate the movement of $1.5 billion of dry bulk and liquid 

cargoes through ice-impeded waters of the Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard, 

providing critical supplies and materials to American manufacturers. Domestic 

Coast Guard icebreaking cutters kept connecting Tier One Waterways in the 

Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard open to vessel transits during the 2017 

icebreaking season. 

$1.5

 billion

Value of dry bulk and liquid cargoes 

transited through ice-impeded 

waters of the Great Lakes and 

Eastern Seaboard facilitated by 

Coast Guard icebreaking in 2017.

OUR BUDGET AT WORK 

The Coast Guard is responsible for maintaining secure and 

safe waterways for the benefit of commerce. Efforts require 

close coordination with all levels of government and the 

maritime industry to effectively manage inland and coastal 

navigational aids and keep critical maritime routes open 

during winter months. 
The Coast Guard’s Maritime Security 

Response Team (MSRT) participates 

in a training evolution. The highly 

trained and specialized team, using a 

real-world underway ferry, practiced 

tactical boardings-at-sea, active 

shooter scenarios, and detection of 

radiological material. 
MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS

Maritime Security Operations encompass 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 program conducts the operational element of the Coast Guard’s 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security mission and complements our Maritime 

Prevention efforts.

The Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security mission is a critical component 

of a layered approach to homeland security. It is conducted in coordination 

with other Department of Homeland Security agencies and the Department of 

Defense. The approach places a premium on intercepting threats before they 

reach U.S. shores by conducting multi-agency maritime security operations and 

by strengthening the port security posture of strategic economic and military 

ports. In this construct, the Coast Guard conducts both offshore and inshore 

security operations.

Preventing and disrupting terrorist attacks requires integrated, comprehensive 

operations that maximize effectiveness without duplicating efforts. The Coast Guard 

is a critical component in the effort to safeguard the Maritime Transportation System. 

The Service uses its unique authorities, competencies, operational capabilities, 

and partnerships to board and escort suspect vessels, enforce fixed security zones 

around maritime critical infrastructure and key resources, and patrol the maritime 

approaches, coasts, ports, and rivers of America. 

On January 12, 2017, Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads stood up a Unified 

Command in response to suspicious containers onboard a merchant vessel bound 

for Norfolk, Virginia. A Coast Guard helicopter vertically inserted a boarding team 

from the Maritime Security Response Team and two Canine Explosive Detection 

Teams, which assumed positive control of the vessel. During the explosive 

detection sweeps, the canines alerted on a suspect container and a joint bomb 

squad was deployed with advanced explosive detection capability to board the 

vessel and assess the containers. All suspect containers were cleared and the 

vessel was allowed to proceed to the port with an armed escort to ensure positive 

control measures were in place. The situation demonstrated the Coast Guard’s 

ability to coordinate the layered security critical to homeland defense within the 

maritime domain.

The Coast Guard also plays a key role surging to support Maritime Security Response 

Operations to known security threats and high-profile events. In 2017, Coast Guard 

assets established and enforced fixed security zones in support of National Special 

Security Events, including the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

To help protect the American people from maritime security threats, the Coast 

Guard conducted 17,667 waterborne patrols of critical maritime infrastructure, 

escorted over 3,552 high-capacity passenger vessels, and conducted 4,468 security 

boardings in and around U.S. ports during 2017.

635

High Interest Vessels identified as 

potential security threats boarded and 

postively controlled by armed escort 

for entry into U.S. waters in 2017.

OUR BUDGET AT WORK 

Coast Guard efforts to enhance port security involve 

detecting, deterring, preventing, disrupting, and aiding 

in recovery from terrorist attacks and other criminal acts 

in the maritime domain. 
U.S. Coast Guard 110-foot Patrol Boats have 

been supporting Combatant Commanders 

around the world since 2003. That support 

continues with the Coast Guard and the U.S. 

Navy, along with the Qatari Emiri Naval ship 

HUWAR, participating in Eastern Sailor 18, 

an annual, bilateral surface exercise with the 

Qatari Emiri Naval Forces that allows both 

countries to strengthen tactical proficiency 

in critical mission areas and continue to 

support regional maritime security. 
DEFENSE OPERATIONS 

The Defense Operations program exercises the Coast Guard’s unique authorities 

and capabilities to support the National Military Strategy. The program portfolio 

comprises eight activities including: Maritime Interdiction Operations; Combating 

Maritime Terrorism; Port Operations Security and Defense; Military Environmental 

Response Operations; Coastal Sea Control Operations; Maritime Operational Threat 

Response (MOTR); Rotary Wing Air Intercept Operations; and Support for Theater 

Security Cooperation (TSC) Initiatives.

The Coast Guard is involved in fighting terrorism not only in U.S. waters, but 

around the world through its support of Department of Defense (DOD) partners. As 

both a federal law enforcement agency and an Armed Service, the Coast Guard 

is uniquely positioned to conduct defense operations in support of Combatant 

Commanders by performing rotary-wing air intercept operations and providing 

assets to work with U.S. naval forces. An example of the synergy between the 

Services is the Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower; this strategy 

reaffirms the importance of the maritime domain and the Coast Guard, Navy, and 

Marine Corps’ role in supporting national defense and homeland security priorities 

across the globe. Coast Guard multi-mission forces integrate seamlessly with DOD 

in a wide range of maritime operations. On any given day, 11 cutters, two maritime 

patrol aircraft, five helicopters, two specialized boarding teams, and an entire Port 

Security Unit are supporting Combatant Commanders on all seven continents.

Overseas deployments demonstrate to DOD, Joint Forces, and Combatant 

Commanders that the Coast Guard possesses relevant competencies to contribute 

to the successful accomplishment of naval warfare missions and TSC initiatives. For 

example, Coast Guard Port Security Units have been deployed almost continuously 

to strategic ports in Kuwait since 2002 for port security; Island class patrol boats 

have conducted security for Iraqi oil platforms continuously since 2003 and in 

more recent years have been conducting TSC missions throughout U.S. Central 

Command’s area of responsibility. In addition to these TSC missions, Coast Guard 

Tactical Law Enforcement Teams conducted 17 deployments onboard U.S. Navy 

and Allied vessels in 2017. 

The Coast Guard is also uniquely positioned to assist other nations in developing 

maritime forces and is involved in a diverse range of productive Security Sector 

Assistance (SSA) partnerships around the world. The Coast Guard is a full-service 

maritime development partner with the technical and professional capabilities to 

address a range of small-service maritime development issues. As a Service with 

a global reputation for humanitarian response, the Coast Guard often enjoys a 

level of entry not afforded to other U.S. or foreign military organizations. In 2017, 

Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team members deployed in support of 

SOUTHCOM’s Joint Riverine Training Teams. The team conducted Security Force 

Assistance operations with U.S. Marine Forces South to help build partner nation 

marine and riverine force capabilities for conducting drug and counter narcoterrorism interdiction operations in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama.

Coast Guard Cutter fleet 

40%

assigned to support 

Combatant Commanders 

in 2017.

OUR BUDGET AT WORK 

The Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to combat 

terrorism and enhance security include detecting, deterring, 

preventing, disrupting, and aiding in recovery from terrorist 

attacks and other criminal acts in the maritime domain. The 

Coast Guard also conducts defense operations in support 

of Combatant Commanders by performing rotary-wing air 

intercept operations in the nation’s capital and elsewhere 

as well as providing assets to work with U.S. naval forces.
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,

Founder

U.S. COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C.

www.uscg.mil/budget