ALWAYS READY

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

2013 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

2015 BUDGET IN BRIEF &
The U. S. Coast Guard Cutter 

BERTHOLF took to the sea 

operating in concert with the 

service’s maritime patrol aircraft, 

the Ocean Sentry HC-144, and a 

H-65 helicopter. 
THE COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

WASHINGTON, D.C.

I am pleased to present to you the Coast Guard’s 2013 Performance Highlights 

and Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Budget in Brief. This new format represents the 

evolution of the Posture Statement to a more concise document with increased 

online access. The document highlights our operational performance during a 

period in which funding was reduced to meet the discretionary spending limits 

enacted by Congress and enforced by a sequestration of non-exempt funds, 

and provides information on the President’s annual budget request for the Coast 

Guard. 

Despite the 2013 fiscally constrained environment, the men and women of the 

Coast Guard exhibited the honor, respect, and devotion to duty that has kept 

us America’s premier maritime responder for the last 223 years. Every day they 

exercised critical prevention activities to help keep our mariners and ports safe 

and secure. They braved uncertain waters and responded to the movement 

of illicit goods and people, man-made and natural disasters, and other high 

priority national safety, security and stewardship needs. They provided the 

maritime governance that our Nation demands to ensure safe, secure, and 

environmentally sound approaches to America’s shores. 

In 2013, the Coast Guard advanced down the trackline towards a recapitalized cutter fleet when we awarded the 

contract for the next six Fast Response Cutters – when we commission these cutters, we will have twenty-four of these 

outstanding platforms in service. We also christened the fourth National Security Cutter – Coast Guard Cutter HAMILTON. 

These new cutters are replacing our forty-five year old high endurance cutters and provide vital response capability 

in the offshore environment. HAMILTON’s fellow National Security Cutters, BERTHOLF, WAESCHE, and STRATTON are 

already proving to be superlative examples of “useful sentinels of the law” – the words Alexander Hamilton used in 1787 

when he described an enduring need for ships to protect our Nation’s maritime borders and interests on the sea. 

In FY 2015, our voyage to a modernized offshore Coast Guard fleet will continue with the President’s Budget request 

for the production of the eighth National Security Cutter and continued work on the Offshore Patrol Cutter project. 

As prudent stewards of our resources, we will hold our course rebuilding Coast Guard assets in an affordable and 

responsible manner. On the horizon, we look to the recapitalized fleet for future operations and to provide our men and 

women the tools they need to continue the great work they do for our Nation. We will preserve our critical front-line 

operations in direct support of our Department of Homeland Security mission programs; prevent terrorism and enhance 

security, secure and manage our borders, and strengthen national resilience. We will make difficult decisions to scale 

activities, but will be there to answer the call for any maritime domain emergency, to protect America’s safety, and to 

add to our national security. 

Since our inception as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790, the Coast Guard has stood the watch over America’s interests 

on the seas. We have protected those on the sea, the Nation from threats delivered by the sea, and the sea itself 

from environmental hazards. In the face of today’s challenging fiscal environment, the Coast Guard has been and will 

continue to be “Semper Paratus” – Always Ready.

R. J. PAPP, JR.

Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard
As the Coast Guard performed its overall 

mission of ensuring the Safety, Security, and 

Stewardship of our Nation’s waters in 2013, 

all of its prevention and response activities 

directly supported the Department of 

Homeland Security’s mission priorities of:

1) Prevent Terrorism & Enhance Security;

2) Secure & Manage Our Borders;

3) Strengthen National Resilience. 

The Coast Guard Cutter SPAR 

transiting Glacier Bay National 

Park, in Southeast Alaska. 
1,566

$10.45

BILLION 

 DOLLARS 

 ENACTED IN 2013 

 

Coast Guard men and women go into 

uncertain and stormy seas every day to 

carry out the missions that are essential to 

ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally 

sound approaches to our maritime Nation. 

OPERATIONAL 

 CUTTERS, BOATS

AND AIRCRAFT

With

unparalleled

proficiency;

With 

unwavering 

support; 

“Semper Paratus”

– Always Ready!

970,000 With

 unfailing 

 dedication; 

57,600

 OPERATIONAL 

 HOURS

EXECUTED

 ACTIVE DUTY,

 RESERVE

 & CIVILIAN

 WORK FORCE
A Coast Guard Maritime Safety and 

Security Team patrols the waters 

surrounding New York, N.Y. The Coast 

Guard maintains round the clock security 

operations for major maritime events.
OUR BUDGET AT WORK

The Coast Guard’s terrorism prevention 

and security enhancement activities 

encompass the detection, deterrence, 

prevention, disruption, and recovery 

from terrorist attacks and other criminal 

acts in the maritime domain. The Coast 

Guard executes antiterrorism, response, 

salvage operations, and supports 

various DoD Combatant Commanders 

in the maritime environment. 

 In order to ensure the safety and security of the American people, the Coast Guard 

conducted over 21,000 waterborne patrols of critical maritime infrastructure 

and resources, escorted over 2,000 high-capacity passenger vessels, and 

conducted over 8,400 security boardings in and around U.S ports in 2013. The 

Coast Guard plays a key role in the surge response to a known security threat or 

event. As part of the overall Department of Homeland Security (DHS) response 

to the Boston Marathon bombing, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) 

raised the Maritime Security (MARSEC) level, which resulted in the immediate 

implementation of additional safety measures and activities to ensure the safety 

and security of the citizens and infrastructure of Boston. 

During 2013, to enhance security and help prevent waterborne delivery of a 

terrorist threat, the Coast Guard conducted inspections on over 11,000 vessels, 

over 23,700 shipping containers, and completed more than 10,000 waterside 

facility safety and security reviews. 

Additionally, 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. The Coast Guard supports our Department of 

Defense (DoD) partners by performing rotary-wing air intercept operations and 

providing assets to work with U.S. Naval forces. In direct support of DoD’s theater 

security cooperation efforts, the Coast Guard conducts port operations, maritime 

interception operations and the training of international partners.

Every day Coast Guard men and women provide maritime governance that ensures 

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

WE PROTECT... THOSE ON THE SEA, THE NATION FROM THREATS 

DELIVERED BY THE SEA, & THE SEA ITSELF. 

32,525

Maritime Security Response 

Activities conducted in 2013

PORTS, WATERWAYS & COASTAL SECURITY

DEFENSE READINESS

PREVENT TERRORISM & ENHANCE SECURITY

DHS MISSION PRIORITY

USCG

STATUTORY

MISSIONS
One of the Coast Guard’s newest Fast 

Response Cutters (FRC), the CGC PAUL 

CLARK underway during one of its first 

law enforcement patrols.
OUR BUDGET AT WORK

The Coast Guard is the lead Federal maritime law enforcement agency that directly 

supports the security and management of our Nation’s borders on the Great 

Lakes, inland waterways, ports, littorals and on the high seas. The Coast Guard’s 

success in the interdiction of illegal drugs serves as an example of that maritime 

governance. In 2013, the Coast Guard removed more than 125 metric tons of illegal 

drugs from the maritime domain and detained over 190 suspected smugglers for 

prosecution in the United States. 

In the interest of protecting America’s natural resources, endangered marine 

species, and marine sanctuaries, the Coast Guard conducted over 5,000 fisheries 

boardings on U.S. vessels. Close collaboration with partner agencies is a key part of 

this effort. For example, Coast Guard supports enforcement of Illegal, Unregulated, 

and Underreported (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing is global in reach and Coast Guard 

efforts are critical to stem this illegal activity that is harmful to ecosystems for 

natural resources and a threat to global food security. The Coast Guard detected 

184 incursions of foreign flagged fishing vessels into America’s exclusive economic 

zone (EEZ) as part of these efforts in 2013. 

The Coast Guard continues to employ a layered security system that begins well 

beyond the Nation’s physical borders to counter all maritime risks. A key aspect 

of the system includes strong international partnerships for enforcement of drug 

interdiction and living marine resources. In the Pacific, we work as part of the 

North Pacific Coast Guard Forum with maritime governance forces from Canada, 

Russia, Japan, South Korea and China and in the Caribbean and in Central and 

South America, we have bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements with twenty-nine 

maritime nations to accomplish our shared missions. 

Every day Coast Guard men and women provide maritime governance that ensures 

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

WE PROTECT... THOSE ON THE SEA, THE NATION FROM THREATS DELIVERED 

BY THE SEA, & THE SEA ITSELF. 

Wholesale value of illegal drugs 

removed by the Coast Guard

in 2013. 

As the lead federal agency for drug 

interdiction on the high seas, the Coast 

Guard’s operations support national 

and international strategies to deter 

and disrupt the market for illegal drugs, 

and assist federal efforts to dismantle 

Transnational Organized Crime (TOC)/

Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs), 

and prevent transnational threats from 

reaching U.S. shores. 

$3 billion

DRUG INTERDICTION

LIVING MARINE RESOURCES

OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT

SECURE & MANAGE OUR BORDERS

DHS MISSION PRIORITY

USCG

STATUTORY

MISSIONS
Crew members of the Coast Guard 

Cutter KEY BISCAYNE arrive on scene to 

prevent 21 Cuban migrants from illegally 

entering the United States. A maritime 

patrol aircraft, the Ocean Sentry HC-144, 

provides overflight support. 
The Coast Guard’s 2013 Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) provided 

effective law enforcement presence at-sea and achieved three main objectives: (1) 

deterred undocumented migrants and transnational smugglers from using maritime 

routes to enter the U.S., (2) detected and interdicted undocumented migrants and 

smugglers far from the U.S. border, and (3) expanded Coast Guard participation in 

multi-agency and international border security initiatives. Strong partnerships and 

information sharing with other U.S. Federal agencies and foreign countries were 

critical to mission success.

During 2013, the Coast Guard repatriated 471 Haitian and 1,250 Cuban illegal 

migrants. One of our newest cutters – the Coast Guard Cutter (CGC) RICHARD 

ETHERIDGE- was responsible for one of these operations in May 2013, when the 

crew responded to and successfully halted the illegal migration of 20 migrants into 

the United States through the Florida Straits. 

Approximately $1.8 trillion worth of goods transited over 25,000 miles of our Nation’s 

waterways in 2013, and the maintenance of more the 49,000 navigation aids at a 

97.9% availability; meaning the aids were functioning properly and ensured the 

maritime transportation system operated smoothly. In the winter months, the 

Coast Guard in concert with the Canadian Coast Guard, facilitated the successful 

movement of more than 30 million tons of bulk cargo and 7.9 million barrels of 

heating oil in the ice laden Great Lakes region.

Every day Coast Guard men and women provide maritime governance that ensures 

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

WE PROTECT... THOSE ON THE SEA, THE NATION FROM THREATS DELIVERED 

BY THE SEA & THE SEA ITSELF. 

SECURE & MANAGE OUR BORDERS (cont.)

OUR BUDGET AT WORK

4.5 million

Miles of U.S. Maritime Border 

Patrolled by the Coast Guard

for immigration enforcement

DHS MISSION PRIORITY

USCG

STATUTORY

MISSIONS

The Coast Guard is the lead federal 

maritime law enforcement agency and 

the only agency with both the authority 

and capability 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 waters. The Coast 

Guard leads the migrant interdiction 

mission on the high seas. 

MIGRANT INTERDICTION

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

DOMESTIC ICEBREAKING 
Oil spill responders work to 

deploy a boom as part of an 

oil spill response exercise 

in Batiquitos Lagoon in 

Carlsbad, California. 
The Coast Guard not only contributes to the deterrence of terrorism and mitigation 

of man-made disasters, but also to timely response in the event of natural disasters. 

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

Coast Guard has proven time and again to be an effective leader for responses to 

significant incidents that occur in the maritime domain. 

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 materials spills in navigable waterways up to and including 

Spills of National Significance. In 2013, the Coast Guard coordinated the response 

of federal , state and local agencies to a derailed freight car that released 

approximately 23,000 gallons of vinyl chloride in Mantua Creek, NJ. Efforts of the 

Coast Guard and partners quickly established a safety zone and removed the 

hazardous material and damaged railway cars from the affected waterway. Also, 

the Coast Guard is responsible for the development and enforcement of federal 

marine safety regulations and provides credentials to over 218,000 mariners, 

allowing them to work in our Nation’s maritime transportation system.

The Coast Guard maintains its robust multi-mission capabilities in order to protect 

life, property, and the environment in response to any disaster. This multi-mission 

capability ensured the Coast Guard was ready to respond to over 17,000 Search 

and Rescue (SAR) cases in 2013, resulting in approximately 7,400 lives saved.

Every day Coast Guard men and women provide maritime governance that ensures 

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

WE PROTECT... THOSE ON THE SEA, THE NATION FROM THREATS

DELIVERED BY THE SEA & THE SEA ITSELF. 

OUR BUDGET AT WORK

7,408

Lives saved or assisted

during Coast Guard Operations 

in 2013

The Coast Guard strives to minimize 

lives lost, injury and property damage 

by rendering aid to those in distress in 

the maritime environment. The Coast 

Guard’s SAR operations accomplish this 

through resource readiness, distress 

monitoring and communication, 

search planning, on-scene operations, 

and domestic and international 

partnerships. As part of these efforts 

the Coast Guard works closely 

with other federal, state, and local 

responders, coordinating the usage of 

a variety of afloat and airborne assets.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

MARINE SAFETY

DHS MISSION PRIORITY

STRENGTHEN NATIONAL RESILIENCE

USCG

STATUTORY

MISSIONS
AVIATION LOGISTICS CENTER

The Aviation Logistics Center (ALC), located in Elizabeth City NC, 

is the hub for Coast Guard aviation support, including depot level 

maintenance, structural engineering, spare parts warehousing, 

and information service needs. ALC is the central point for aircraft 

maintenance and repair activities including fleet support for minor 

repairs and routine maintenance through technical publications 

and a call center.

SHORE INFRASTRUCTURE LOGISTICS CENTER

Shore facilities are an integral component of the Coast Guard’s 

operation capability and readiness. The Shore Infrastructure 

Logistics Center (SILC) is located in Norfolk, VA, and provides 

sustainable Shore Infrastructure and Base Operations support 

for Coast Guard buildings and facilities. The SILC is responsible 

for the complete life-cycle of shore facilities, ranging from design, 

construction, maintenance and repair and demolition.

SURFACE FORCES LOGISTICS CENTER

The Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC), located in Baltimore, 

MD, provides the Coast Guard’s surface fleet with maintenance, 

engineering, and supply services that enables Coast Guard mission 

execution. SFLC has a workforce of 1,935 military, civilian, and 

contractor professionals assigned in locations that range from 

Kodiak, Alaska to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Honolulu, Hawaii to 

Portland, Maine. 

COAST GUARD YARD

As part of the SFLC, the Coast Guard Yard is also located in 

Baltimore, MD. The 625 employees of the Yard’s workforce 

represent an invaluable pool of experience, expertise, and 

craftsmanship. The Coast Guard Yard is responsible for 

construction, repair, and renovation of vessels and aids to 

navigation. It is also the Coast Guard’s primary internal source 

for original design, forging, machining, and manufacturing all 

of which is essential to sustaining the Coast Guard’s fleet of inservice cutters and boats.

MISSION SUPPORT

The continued performance of the Coast Guard is only possible because of the superior level of 

support and maintenance provided by over 13,000 Coast Guard active duty members and civilian 

employees tasked with the upkeep and repair of our aging fleet of cutters, boats, aircraft and 

shore facilities. Integrated mission support is the centerpiece of this system, based on a business 

model that features four cornerstones: Bi-Level Support, Configuration Management, Total Asset 

Visibility, and Product Line Management. This system is employed at each of the units 

responsible for delivering the best possible mission support and asset sustainment to

ensure the safe and effective execution of Coast Guard operational missions.
The Coast Guard prepares individuals, teams, units, and ultimately the organization to 

achieve mission excellence through systematic development programs designed to yield 

proficiency in craft, proficiency in leadership, and disciplined initiative.

Each Coast Guard member; whether Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian or Auxiliarist, receives 

tailored attention to their specific developmental needs. This ensures a total workforce 

that is capable to perform the jobs and tasks to provide the maritime governance needed 

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

TRAINING PROFICIENCY

Coast Guard crews aboard a 45-foot 

Response Boat-Medium from Station 

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and an MH-65C 

Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station 

Traverse City, Michigan conduct hoist 

training on Lake Michigan.
FAMILY:

The Coast Guard continues to improve the well-being and resilience of our 

Service members and their families, and enhanced readiness, recruitment, 

retention and mission execution, by targeting improvements to worklife, housing, ombudsman, child care, military personnel, yellow ribbon 

reintegration, retiree, and morale, well-being, and recreation programs. The 

Coast Guard values and supports every member of the Coast Guard family by 

listening to their needs; communicating initiatives, resources, and programs 

to them through focused communication and social media tools. The Coast 

Guard strives to deliver those services and resources when and where they are 

needed to improve the well-being of our extended Coast Guard family.

PERSONNEL SUPPORT:

The Coast Guard increased the utilization of its personnel support program, (CG 

SUPRT) through expanded marketing efforts, and adjusted available services 

to meet unit, member, and family needs. This program offers confidential 

professional counseling, education and referral services. Help is available for 

such issues as marital and family problems, substance abuse, depression and 

anxiety, work/life balance, personal financial management, health coaching 

and other work-related concerns and career issues. 

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE (SAPR):

The Coast Guard continues expansion of the sexual assault prevention and 

response program to provide: 

1) Dedicated field Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, and Office of 

Work-Life and HSWL Service Center programmatic staff;

2) Improved screening and standardized credentialing of SAPR 

Program personnel;

3) Updated training and new curriculum;

4) More robust victim response and recovery care services and;

5) Improved program reporting.

WORK-LIFE
WORKFORCE

The Coast Guard’s workforce is made up of over 41,000 active duty members, 8,000 

reservists, 8,600 civilian employees, and 30,000 volunteer Auxiliarists. Every day 

Coast Guard men and women provide maritime governance that ensures the safe, 

secure, and environmentally sound approaches to our maritime Nation. 

ACTIVE DUTY

One of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard 

is a military organization within the Department of Homeland 

Security. Coast Guard Active Duty personnel forma unique force 

that carries out an array of civil and military responsibilities 

touching almost every facet of the U.S. maritime environment. 

RESERVE

The Coast Guard Reserve is a flexible, responsive, operational 

force that exists to support the Coast Guard as it works to 

Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security, Secure and Manage 

our Borders, and Strengthen National Resilience. The Reserve 

workforce is always ready to mobilize, and employ critical 

competencies in boat operations, contingency planning and 

response, expeditionary warfare, and port security.

CIVILIAN

The Civilian workforce of the Coast Guard plays a critical role in the 

success of the Coast Guard’s missions. There are over 200 different 

civilian career types in the Coast Guard, including professional, 

technical, trade and labor and administrative support. 

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

The 30,000 nonmilitary volunteers that make up the Coast Guard 

Auxiliary work with the Coast Guard to promote maritime safety, 

security, and stewardship. Auxiliarists focus on recreational 

boating safety, but support many Coast Guard activities, including 

search and rescue, pollution response, and commercial fishing 

vessel examinations. With units in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 

the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam ensures the 

Auxiliary is a true force multiplier for the Coast Guard and vital to 

accomplishing the Coast Guard’s missions. 
Coast Guard Cutter MORRO BAY passes 

the Cleveland West Pierhead Light while 

en route to the crew's new homeport. 
The Coast Guard’s FY 2015 Budget reflects a deliberate balance between 

preserving today’s most critical front-line operations and investing in tomorrow’s 

Coast Guard. The FY 2015 budget identifies efficiencies and better business 

practices, maintains fidelity with the constrained fiscal environment and 

sustains the balance between investment in current operations and continued 

recapitalization. The Coast Guard’s FY 2015 budget priorities are:

FY 2015 BUDGET PRIORITIES

Invest in

Long-Term 

Operational Capacity 

Strengthen Resource 

and Operational 

Stewardship

Preserve Critical 

Front-Line 

Operations
Dedicated investment to build boats, cutters, aircraft, and corresponding infrastructure capable of meeting today’s threats and those of 

the future is essential to the Coast Guard’s continued role as America’s maritime first responder. The current condition and serviceability 

of the Coast Guard’s legacy surface fleet and aircraft, and the projected timelines to complete replacement of these assets require 

continued investment in surface and air recapitalization programs to maintain the capability to operate. 

To strengthen DHS’ layered security approach offshore, the FY 2015 Budget provides for the acquisition of the eighth National Security 

Cutter, which completes the recapitalization of the Coast Guard’s High Endurance Cutter fleet, two Fast Response Cutters, and continues 

to invest in pre-acquisition activities for the Offshore Patrol Cutter and Polar Icebreaker. The budget also continues sustainment and 

conversion work on fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, procurement of cutter boats, and investment in Command, Control, Communications, 

Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

Surface Assets

$803.0M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $803.0 million for the following surface asset 

recapitalization and sustainment initiatives:

➢ National Security Cutter (NSC) – Provides funding for 

the eighth NSC, completing the recapitalization of the Coast 

Guard’s High Endurance Cutter fleet. The acquisition of NSC 

8 is vital for performing DHS missions in the far off-shore 

regions, including the harsh operating environment of the 

Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic. The NSC also provides 

a robust command and control platform for homeland security 

contingency operations;

➢ Fast Response Cutter (FRC) – Provides production funding to 

procure two FRCs. These assets replace the aging fleet of 110-

foot patrol boats that provide the coastal capability to conduct 

Search and Rescue operations, enforce border security, 

interdict drugs, uphold immigration laws, prevent terrorism, 

and enhance resiliency to disasters; 

➢ Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) – Supports review of the 

preliminary design work for the OPC. The OPC will replace the 

Medium Endurance Cutter classes that conduct missions on 

the high seas and coastal approaches;

➢ Polar Ice Breaker (WAGB) – Continues pre-acquisition 

activities for a new polar icebreaker;

THE FY15 BUDGET IN BRIEF

Invest in Long-Term Operational Capacity 
➢ Cutter Boats – Continues funding for production of multimission cutter small boats that will be fielded on the Coast 

Guard’s major cutter fleet beginning with the NSC;

➢ In-Service Vessel Sustainment – Continues funding for 

sustainment projects on 140-foot ice breaking tugs (WTGB), 

225-foot seagoing buoy tenders, the training Barque EAGLE 

(WIX), and initial sustainment on the 47-foot motor lifeboats 

(MLB); 

➢ Survey and Design – Continues funding for multi-year 

engineering and design work for multiple cutter classes in 

support of future sustainment and acquisition projects

Air Assets

$68.0M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $68.0 million for the following air asset 

recapitalization or enhancement initiatives:

➢ HC-144A – Funds spare parts required to maintain the 

operational availability of the HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft;

➢ HC-27J – Funds continued activities of the C-27J Acquisition 

Program Office (APO). The APO (new in 2014) will organize 

logistics, training, maintenance support and ensure these 

newly acquired aircraft are ready for induction into the 

operational fleet;

➢ HH-65 – Continues modernization and sustainment of the Coast 

Guard’s fleet of HH-65 helicopters, converting them to MH-65 

Short Range Recovery (SRR) helicopters. The modernization 

effort includes reliability and sustainability improvements, 

where obsolete components are replaced with modernized 

sub-systems, including an integrated cockpit and sensor suite

➢ C-130J – Funds spare parts required to maintain the operational 

availability of the HC-130J Long Range Surveillance aircraft.

Other (Asset Recapitalization)

$57.3M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $57.3 million for other initiatives funded 

under the AC&I account, including the following equipment and 

services: 

➢ 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;

➢ Command, Control, Communications, Computers, 

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) 

– Provides design, development, upgrades and assistance on 

C4ISR hardware and software of new and in-service assets;

➢ CG-Logistics Information Management System – 

Continues development and deployment of this system to 

Coast Guard operational assets.

Shore Units & Aids to Navigation (ATON)

$40.6M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $40.6 million to recapitalize shore 

infrastructure for safe, functional, and modern facilities that 

support Coast Guard assets and personnel:

➢ Specific Project – Funds construction of a new small arms 

firing range at Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, VA; 

completes the second phase of renovations to facilities at 

Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, MA; funds renovation of 

existing facilities and construction of a new maintenance and 

engineering building at Coast Guard Station Morro Bay, CA;

➢ ATON Infrastructure – Maintains transportation safety on 

Federal waterways through construction and improvements 

to short-range aids and infrastructure to improve the safety of 

maritime transportation. 

Personnel & Management

$115.3M (881 FTE)

The budget provides $115.3 million for pay and benefits of the 

Coast Guard’s acquisition workforce.
Strengthen Resource and Operational Stewardship 

The FY 2015 Budget reflects sound, risk-based allocation of resources. In 2015, Coast Guard will decommission two High Endurance 

Cutters (WHECs) that are being replaced by more capable National Security Cutters. The Coast Guard will also decommission eight 110-ft 

patrol boats, three HC-130 aircraft, and corresponding shore side support personnel while accepting the delivery of new, more capable 

Fast Response Cutters, HC-144 aircraft, and C-27J aircraft to the fleet. The FY 2015 Budget ensures that our resources are aligned to 

our Nation’s highest priorities in a manner that balances key investments for the future with sustaining essential investment in today’s 

missions and capabilities that provide the highest return on investment.

Operational Adjustments

In FY 2015, the Coast Guard will make sound, risk based operational 

reductions while investing in critical recapitalization initiatives. 

These reductions include:

➢ Vessel Board and Search Teams (VBST)

-$1.4M (-18 FTE)

Eliminates four VBSTs; one team each from Sector Boston, 

Sector Southeast New England, Sector San Diego and Sector 

San Francisco. VBSTs consist of law enforcement personnel 

dedicated to Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security (PWCS) 

enforcement activities. The types of boardings accomplished 

by these teams will be conducted by Sector Response and 

Station personnel or from cutter-based crews;

➢ HC-144A Programmed Flight Hours

-$4.9M (0 FTE)

Adjusts the Coast Guard’s HC-144A annual Programmed Flight 

Hours from 1,200 to 1,000 hours per aircraft to align with 

mission demands;

➢ Fixed Wing aircraft Bravo-0 Response

-$2.2M (-24 FTE)

Removes the fixed-wing Bravo-Zero readiness requirement 

from Coast Guard Air Stations, with the exception of Air Station 

Kodiak, AK, and Air Station Barbers Point, HI. This initiative 

includes a commensurate reduction to staffing of fixed-wing 

aircrew personnel;

➢ Aids to Navigation (ATON)

-$3.5M (-15 FTE)

Consolidates funding for coastal and western river aids to 

navigation, enabled by modernization and efficiencies in 

servicing aids to navigation, policy modifications, and logistics. 

Billets at associated Aids to Navigation Teams (ANTs) will be 

reduced and ANT Eufaula, AL will be closed, with remaining 

maintenance responsibilities distributed to other ANTs;

➢ Operational Efficiencies

-$15.0M (0 FTE)

Operational commanders, using risk-based prioritization of 

patrols and operational activities, are able to adjust operations 

and balance emerging mission demands with daily operations. 

Additionally, new Coast Guard assets are equipped with 

enhanced intelligence and communication tools that enable 

field staff to target threats and prosecute them more efficiently. 

As a result, operational efficiencies that scale cutter, boat, 

and aircraft hours will reduce resources required for fuel and 

variable maintenance with no anticipated impact to operations. 

Safety of life (SAR), urgent security activities, and operational 

hours dedicated to meet minimum proficiency standards will 

be preserved.

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 or retired.

➢ High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) Decommissionings

-$14.9M (-184 FTE)

Decommissions the sixth and seventh High Endurance Cutters 

(WHECs). National Security Cutters are replacing the aging 

WHEC fleet. 

➢ Patrol Boat (WPB) Decommissionings

-$6.1 M (-73 FTE)

Decommissions eight 110-ft WPB patrol boats. These assets 

will be replaced with Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) in the 

Seventh and Eighth Coast Guard Districts.

➢ HC-130 Aircraft Retirements

-$11.6M (-43 FTE)

Eliminates funding and personnel associated with the 

retirement of three HC-130H to the Air Force for transfer to 

the U.S. Forest Service as outlined in the FY 2014 National 

Defense Authorization Act. Newly acquired HC-130J aircraft 

will provide increased operational reliability. 
Preserve Critical Front-line Operations

The FY 2015 Budget sustains critical frontline operations, including maintaining search and rescue coverage, protecting critical 

infrastructure and key resources, and preserving operational hours dedicated to proficiency. Field commanders will continue to optimize 

operational capacity to support safe navigation, safeguard natural resources, protect the environment, detect and interdict drugs and 

individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally, and support the Nation’s foreign policy objectives and defense operations.

Pay & Allowances

$83.1M (0 FTE)

Maintains parity with DoD for military pay, allowances, and health 

care, and for civilian pay raise and retirement contributions. 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. 

Operating and Maintenance Funds

for New Assets

$72.1M (281 FTE)

Provides funding for operations and maintenance of shore 

facilities, as well as cutters, boats, aircraft, and associated C4ISR 

subsystems delivered through acquisition efforts:

➢ Shore Facilities – Funds operation and maintenance of shore 

facility projects scheduled for completion prior to FY 2015;

➢ Response Boat-Medium – Funds operation, maintenance 

and support of 15 RB-Ms as well as adjustments for the 

Standard Support Level (SSL) for the 155 RB-Ms currently in 

service;

➢ Rescue 21 (R21) – Provides additional funds for the R21 

System for maintenance of Coast Guard leased and owned 

towers, and Alaska communications sites;

➢ FRC – Funds operation and maintenance of FRCs #13-17 and 

provides funding for personnel to operate and maintain hulls 

#15-18, including the shore-side support personnel;

➢ NSC – Funds personnel, operations and maintenance for 

NSC #5, including costs for shore side support personnel. 

Provides new funding for operation of the NSC baseline mockup laboratory at the Maritime Domain Awareness Center in 

Moorestown, NJ;

➢ HC-144A MPA – Funds operations, maintenance, and 

personnel funding for aircraft #18 that will be assigned to Air 

Station Miami, FL 
Appropriation ($000) FY 20131

Revised Enacted

FY 20142

Enacted

FY 2015

Request

Operating Expenses (OE) $6,627,935 $6,784,807 $6,750,733 

Acquisition, Construction & Improvements $1,465,422 $1,375,635 $1,084,193 

Environmental Compliance & Restoration $12,461 $13,164 $13,214 

Reserve Training $131,441 $120,000 $109,605 

RDT&E $19,639 $19,200 $17,947 

Bridges --- --- ---

Health Care Fund $201,610 $185,958 $158,930 

Sub-total (Discretionary Funding) $8,458,508 $8,498,764 $8,134,622

Retired Pay $1,423,000 $1,460,000 $1,449,451 

Boat Safety $114,729 $105,873 $111,842 

Maritime Oil Spill Program $130,117 $299,741 $101,000 

Gift Fund $1,605 $80 $80 

Sub-total (Mandatory Funding) $1,669,451 $1,865,694 $1,662,373

OSLTF Contribution [$42,963] [$45,000] [$45,000]

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Funding $240,605 $227,000 ---

Hurricane Sandy Supplemental (P.L. 113-2) $260,521 --- ---

Rescission of unobligated balances2 ($174,669) ($153,338) ---

Sub-total (Transfers and Supplementals) $326,457 $73,662 $0

Total Appropriations $10,454,416 $10,438,120 $9,796,995 1 Includes Across the Board rescissions and Sequestration Impacts

 2 Includes rescissions enacted as part of P.L. 113-76

Coast Guard Mission1 ($000) FY 20132

Revised Enacted

FY 2014

Enacted

FY 2015

Request

FY2014 +/- 

FY2015

SAR $914,830 $923,132 $786,189 -$136,943

Marine Safety $571,270 $659,021 $540,654 -$118,368

Aids to Navigation $1,431,341 $1,351,135 $1,215,280 -$135,855

Ice Operations $115,270 $114,153 $181,457 $67,304

MEP $237,294 $247,016 $228,133 -$18,883

LMR $858,223 $893,856 $872,181 -$21,675

Drug Interdiction $1,257,993 $1,215,181 $1,223,736 $8,555

Other-LE $601,924 $616,072 $149,628 -$466,444

Migrant Interdiction $162,620 $139,611 $589,599 $449,988

PWCS $1,800,274 $1,777,419 $1,750,770 -$26,650

Defense Readiness $507,468 $562,166 $596,996 $34,830

Net Discretionary Excluding Supplementals and Transfers $8,458,508 $8,498,764 $8,134,622 -$364,142

Mandatory $1,669,451 $1,865,694 $1,662,373 -$203,321

OSLTF Contribution [$42,963] [$45,000] [$45,000]

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Funding $240,605 $227,000 --- ($227,000)

Hurricane Sandy Supplemental (P.L. 113-2) $260,521 --- --- ---

Rescission of unobligated balances3 ($174,669) ($153,338) ---

Total Appropriations $10,454,416 $10,438,120 $9,796,995 ($794,463) 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

 Includes Across the Board rescissions and Sequestration Impacts

3

 Pursuant to P.L. 113-6: $174.7 million was rescinded in FY 2013 ($155.5 million in AC&I funds, $18.2 million in OE funds, and $992K in Reserve Training funds). Pursuant to P.L. 113-76: $153.3 million was rescinded in FY 2014 

($149.4 million in AC&I funds and $3.9 million in OE funds).

Table 1: Appropriation Summary

Table 2: FY 2015 Net Discretionary Budget Authority – Breakout by Statutory Mission
Appropriations ($000) FY 2015

Request

Vessels $803,000

Survey and Design - Vessel and Boats $500

In-Service Vessel Sustainment $24,500

National Security Cutter (NSC) $638,000

Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) $20,000

Fast Response Cutter (FRC) $110,000

Cutter Boats $4,000

Polar Icebreaker $6,000

Aircraft $68,000

HH-65 Conversion/Sustainment Projects $30,000

HC-144A Conversion/Sustainment $15,000

HC-27J Conversion/Sustainment $15,000

HC-130J Acquisiton/Conversion/Sustainment $8,000

Other $57,300

Program Oversight and Management $18,000

Systems Engineering and Integration $0

C4ISR $36,300

CG-LIMS $3,000

Shore and ATON $40,580

Major Shore, ATON and S&D $19,580

Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure $16,000

Minor Shore $5,000

Personnel and Management $115,313

Direct Personnel Costs $115,313

TOTAL $1,084,193 

Table 3: FY 2015 Construction Initiatives Listing
Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Coast Guard

Operating Expenses

FY 2014 to FY 2015 Budget Change

(Dollars in Thousands)

 Pos. FTE Amount

FY 2013 Revised Enacted 1 48,740 47,885 $ 6,627,936 

FY 2014 Enacted 1 48,396 48,646 $ 6,780,928 

Adjustment for Non-recurring Rescissions - - 3,879

Adjustments-to-Base 

Transfers to and from Other Accounts 

Working Capital Fund - - 759 

Total Transfers - - 759 

Increases 

Annualization of Part Year Funding 26 186 51,118 

Mandatory Personnel Entitlements 

2014 Annualization of Military and Civilian Pay Raise - - 7,146 

2015 Military Pay Raise - - 15,684 

2015 Civilian Pay Raise - - 5,855 

2015 Military Allowances - - 46,846 

Civilian Retirement Contribution - - 7,554 

Operational Adjustments 

GSA Rent - - 6,700 

Hull Corrosion Repairs and Other Crew Safety Related Maintenance - - 3,479 

Operating and Maintenance Funds for New Assets 

Shore Facility Follow-On - - 1,603 

Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) Follow-On 5 3 5,466 

Rescue 21 (R21) Follow-On - - 5,825 

Fast Response Cutter (FRC) Follow-On 217 130 27,073 

National Security Cutter (NSC) Follow-On 196 128 24,899 

Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Follow-On 38 20 7,228 

Base Re-Allocations (Non-Add) 

Military FTP and FTE Transfer to Civilian [19] [19] [2,442]

PPA Funding Adjustment - - [35,544]

 Total Increases 482 467 216,476 

Decreases 

Termination of One-Time Costs - - (58,397)

Part Year Management Annualizations - (378) (50,843)

Mandatory Personnel Entitlements 

TRICARE Reform - - (1,433)

Operational Adjustments

Military Special Pay - - (7,500)

Civilian Personnel Account Management - - (6,500)

Efficiencies (451) (224) (62,896)

Vessel, Board, and Search Teams (35) (18) (1,355)

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (8) (4) (921)

Patrol Boat Operational Efficiency (25) (13) (886)

Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) and Area Maritime Security Training and Exercise Program (AMSTEP) - - (320)

HC-144A Aircraft Programmed Flight Hours - - (4,920)

Fixed Wing Aircraft “Bravo‐0” Response (47) (24) (2,195)

Domestic Specific Emitter Identification (DSEI) Program - - (400)

Aids to Navigation (ATON) (29) (15) (3,477)

Operational Efficiencies - - (15,047)

Asset Decommissionings and Retirements 

Eight 110-ft Patrol Boats (145) (73) (6,053)

One High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) (368) (184) (14,914)

Three HC-130 Aircraft (86) (43) (11,610)

Shoreside Support Personnel Reduction (40) (21) (1,642)

 Total Decreases (1,234) (997) (251,309)

Total Other Adjustments (752) (530) (34,833)

Total Adjustments-to-Base (752) (530) (30,195)

2015 Current Services 47,644 48,116 6,750,733

2015 Request 47,644 48,116 6,750,733 

2014 to 2015 Total Change (752) (530) (30,195)

1

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

Table 4: Operating Expenses FY 2014 Enacted to FY 2015
Coast Guard Cutter Barque 

EAGLE arrives under full sail 

into New London, Connecticut. 
U.S. COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C.

www.uscg.mil/budget