Coast Guard questions

[Pat Hurley]

Well, my 10 year old (almost 11) continues to be full of good questions. These have to do with the Coast Guard, its mission, its history, and the armament on some of its ships. My hope is that someone here has a modicum of Coastie knowledge so that I can look like a smart papa to the young lad!

1. Some of the larger ships have a large cannon on the bow (5 inch?). For what purpose, since the Navy is charged with military ship to military ship combat?
2. Has the Coast Guard ever had warship to warship combat? When? Who won?
3. How solid is the Coast Guard as a service?
4. Do the Coasties have an elite division (like Seals, Rangers, and Greeen Berets)?
5. What's a worst case scenario that the Coast Guard's largest ships are equipped to win?
6. Why don't any Coast Guard ships carry missles?

Thanks for your help!

[Light Coat]

I can give a wee bit of help. When the Coasties were born in August of 1790 they were our entire naval force until the Navy came abput in 1798. At that time they were the Revenue Cutter Service. The Coasties have participated in every major conflict the US has been involved in; in fact, we have suffered one wouned and two dead Coasties in the current conflict. Their special operations group was called the "Coastal Forces". Maybe not as highly trained as Seals, Greenies, Rangers or the other high speed forces; but highly trained in their job of identifying seaborne breeches of security or seaborne insertion.

That's just what I've got scrambling around in my brain. Somebody else will likely know a bit more about the subject. This is the little I remember from a friend who was on the Alaskan oceanagraphic expidition in the late 1950's. He was much more proud of his CG days than his time in the regular Navy.

[Xracer]

Pat....just about all of your questions are answered here:

http://www.uscg.mil/history/h_USCGhistory.html

http://www.uscg.mil/history/h_CGatwar.html

http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/

[Pat Hurley]

Thanks X. That was a huge help!

[17thfabn]

Hi Pat, I was in the Coast Guard. I've been out over 15 years so some of my info is dated.

The Coast Guard is an armed service. They use the same rank structure as the Navy.

In World War II and World War I the Coast Guard did a lot of convoy duty. In World War II they also manned many transport ships and landing craft. In more recent conflicts the Coast Guard has concentrated on port protection.

When I was in the largest guns on any Coast Guard Cutter was a 76mm rapid fire dual purpose gun. My cutter had a 3 inch World War II era gun on it. Some of the cutters had harpon missle launchers, but as far as I know they did not carry the missles.

We had a lot of old equipment:
The USCGC Taney (USCGC = U.S. Coast Guard Cutter) was the last ship that was at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 on active duty. She spent most of the war on convoy duty. Built in 1935 she was not retired until 1986. The Taney also served in Vietnam.

The USCGC Campbell was the last U.S. ship on active service that had sunk a submarine in World War II (U-606). The Cambell also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. When she was retired she was the oldest U.S. ship on active duty.

The Coast Guard was given several old World War II era Navy Ocean going tugs to be used as Cutters.

We had M16 rifles. Not M16A1 rifles, the original M16's, with out the forward assists, and old style flash reducer.

The Coast Guard was the last "regular" forces to switch from the 1911 Colt.45 to the M9 Berreta 9mm. I don't know if it is true or not, but I was told that when specs were drawn up to replace the Colt .45 the Coast Guard was the only service that requested a double action weapon. When we switched to the Berreta every body's scores went down, since we were not used to the double action pull on the first shot.

When I was in the Coast Guard was still under the Department of Transportation. We always felt we were on the short end of the stick when it came to money. Only two new classes of cutters had been built under the Department of Transportation. Now the Coast Guard is under Homeland Security, which is a better fit. Form the pictures I've seen it looks like they have gotten alot of new equipment.

[DWARREN123]

I have met a few and their best is good as any.

[Tom Militano]

My son just retired from The US Coast Guard last Dec. with twenty four years service.

[17thfabn]

Tom I noticed your Coast Guard knife in your avitar picture. The shade of red on Coast Guard cutters actual has a name, I believe it is called "Coast Guard racing stripe red".

[Pat Hurley]

Originally Posted by 17thfabn

Hi Pat, I was in the Coast Guard. I've been out over 15 years so some of my info is dated.

The Coast Guard is an armed service. They use the same rank structure as the Navy.

In World War II and World War I the Coast Guard did a lot of convoy duty. In World War II they also manned many transport ships and landing craft. In more recent conflicts the Coast Guard has concentrated on port protection.

When I was in the largest guns on any Coast Guard Cutter was a 76mm rapid fire dual purpose gun. My cutter had a 3 inch World War II era gun on it. Some of the cutters had harpon missle launchers, but as far as I know they did not carry the missles.

We had a lot of old equipment:
The USCGC Taney (USCGC = U.S. Coast Guard Cutter) was the last ship that was at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 on active duty. She spent most of the war on convoy duty. Built in 1935 she was not retired until 1986. The Taney also served in Vietnam.

The USCGC Campbell was the last U.S. ship on active service that had sunk a submarine in World War II (U-606). The Cambell also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. When she was retired she was the oldest U.S. ship on active duty.

The Coast Guard was given several old World War II era Navy Ocean going tugs to be used as Cutters.

We had M16 rifles. Not M16A1 rifles, the original M16's, with out the forward assists, and old style flash reducer.

The Coast Guard was the last "regular" forces to switch from the 1911 Colt.45 to the M9 Berreta 9mm. I don't know if it is true or not, but I was told that when specs were drawn up to replace the Colt .45 the Coast Guard was the only service that requested a double action weapon. When we switched to the Berreta every body's scores went down, since we were not used to the double action pull on the first shot.

When I was in the Coast Guard was still under the Department of Transportation. We always felt we were on the short end of the stick when it came to money. Only two new classes of cutters had been built under the Department of Transportation. Now the Coast Guard is under Homeland Security, which is a better fit. Form the pictures I've seen it looks like they have gotten alot of new equipment.

Great stuff, 17! Thanks!!!

My son and I have been getting our hair cuts at the Coast Guard Air Base - Opa Locka (NW Miami) for years. He's a celebrity with the Cuban women who do all the cutting (only $6 a cut!). And because we have gone there so often over the years, he's really become attracted to the whole Coast Guard thing, and thus the in-depth questions about the service. I've got to admit that his questions got me curious about just what kind of naval engagements (warship to warship) the newest, biggest cutters are made to tackle. I've seen a few of the biggest cutters sporting what looks like a five inch, projectile firing gun on the bow. If so, what's it designed for?

I guess the best summary questions I can ask are, "if serious naval warfare broke out now, today, what are the capabilities and limitations of the 2007 US Coast Guard to help win such a war? What naval fighting would she be asked to do and capable of succeeding at?"

[17thfabn]

Pat, the Coast Guard would probably play a secondary role to the Navy in a war against a well armed opponent. Coast Guard Cutters defense against air, missle and subs is not up to modern standards.

In a war against terrorists like we are in now the Coast Guard comes to the fore. They are trained and equiped to defend ports, and other shallow areas.

The Coast Guard is a relativly small force with a huge area of responsibility. When I was in we had approx 35,000 personnel to cover both coasts, Alaska, Hawaii, much of the Caribbean Sea, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and many rivers in the U.S. Our manpower was said to be smaller than the NYC Police!

[Tom Militano]

The US Coast Guard just made the biggest cocaine bust in history a couple days ago.

[Lead Lobber]

Great Post! I think we all need to realize just what the Coast Guard does. A boyhood friend of mine often expressed his determination and desire to enter the CG. Lost touch long ago, but I know he did serve, as he vowed as a boy, and I have often wondered what happened to my friend, Corky, from Bremerton, Washington.

He built a device to track "Sputnik" one summer, and I was astounded. Corky, if you are still out there cruising coasts, may fair winds and calm seas carry you into gentle harbors.

Greg from Rocky Point

LL

[Tom Militano]

I made that knife in my avitar for my son when he made Chief in the US Coast Guard. You can't tell it from the small picture, but the blade is damascus.

[17thfabn]

Tom, that is a beautiful knife! I'm sure your son appreciates it. Congrats on his making chief, the senior enlisted personnel are the back bone of the all the services!

[Tom Militano]

Here's a bigger picture of the knife, I hope

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by 17thfabn

Pat, the Coast Guard would probably play a secondary role to the Navy in a war against a well armed opponent.

Well, 17th, you do know how many coasties it takes to do a burial at sea, right? It takes five: one to slide the body over the side, and four others to stomp it into the mud.

OK, OK, just kidding, coasties, just kidding!!!

[Light Coat]

That friend of mine jsut got planted overboard the past few weeks. The coasties take photos of the spreading of the ashes and send you those and a map with the location charted. I am really positive about the coasties right now. This is a realy imprtant service for the families of sea-dogs.

[Lead Lobber]

I have to say a big "ahem" at anyone that denigrates the United States Coast Guard. Coming from Puget Sound, I can barely keep a skiff afloat, much less see where the breeze blows, but I object sternly to anyone that infers salt water drifters can't find clams.

LL

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by Lead Lobber

I have to say a big "ahem" at anyone that denigrates the United States Coast Guard. Coming from Puget Sound, I can barely keep a skiff afloat, much less see where the breeze blows, but I object sternly to anyone that infers salt water drifters can't find clams.

LL

The USCG is unquestionably a supremely capable and courageous group of professionals, Lead. They are also specialists in the art of SAR at sea, and coastal interdiction of threats to America's maritime shores, as well as the responsibility for maintaining safety protocols on inland waterways and US harbors. The Coast Guard was originally established as the United States Revenue Cutter Service in 1790, and in 1915, it was reconstituted as an official branch of the U.S. military. The legal basis for the Coast Guard is 14 U.S.C. § 1 which states: "The Coast Guard as established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times." Traditionally, in times of peace, the USCG has been part of the Department of the Treasury. More recently (2003) the USCG was made part of the Department of Homeland Security. In wartime, the command of the Coast Guard has been traditionally been transferred to the US Navy where it has served with great distinction.

[nightfighter]

...When I was in the Coast Guard was still under the Department of Transportation...

Did you not mean "Department of the Treasury"? Did you have a little black shield on the right sleeve of your Summer whites?
I do not think that USCG is under the Treasury Dept. now, seems like it changed some 20 or more years ago.

[Pat Hurley]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Did you not mean "Department of the Treasury"? Did you have a little black shield on the right sleeve of your Summer whites?
I do not think that USCG is under the Treasury Dept. now, seems like it changed some 20 or more years ago.

The Coast Guard was under the Department of Transportation until the creation of Homeland Security.

[Pistolenschutze]

The USCG was part of the Department of the Treasury from 1790 (when it was the Revenue Cutter Service) until 1967 where it iwas placed under the Department of Transportation. Since 2003, of course, it has been part of the Department of Homeland Security.

[17thfabn]

Nightfighter, the Coast Guard was origanily under the Department of Treasury. When the Dept. of Transportation was founded they went under that department. Many members felt the Coast Guard got the short end of the stick from transport. Neither department was a perfect fit for the Coast Guard. Homeland Security does seem like a good fit for the Coast Guard.

Nightfighter, I was enlisted, we did not have dress whites, those were for the commisioned officers only! Our uniforms wee more like the Air Force, than the Navy. To me a working blue uniform is more comfortable than those funny looking "dungarees" the navy enlisted wear.

I read recently that the Coast Guard is switching to the Sig Sauer P229 in .40 caliber. This is the side arm of Homeland Security agents. I guess they wanted a common weapon.

Light Coat, any veteran can have a burial at sea. The nearest Coast Guard or Navy Ship will take the ashes out on their next patrol. In Miami we would have one or two remains of service men to bury almost every time we went out on patrol.

I'll beat Pistolenshutze to the punch. What does a Coast Guard sonar sound like?



Knee deep, Knee deep, Knee deep!

Coast Guard cutters go a lot farther than you might think. Our 210 foot cutter would patrol almost all the way to South America! On one patrol we went all the way to Trinida and Tobago. The women there are increadably beautiful!!
The Coast Guard has Ice breakers that go to both poles.

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by 17thfabn

I'll beat Pistolenshutze to the punch. What does a Coast Guard sonar sound like?

Knee deep, Knee deep, Knee deep!

Is it true, 17th, that Coast Guard vessels are the only ones equipped with mud flaps?

No, I'm just kidding. Jokes are just for a laugh and there are good ones out there about all the services, mostly told by the other services of course. The reality is that all the services have their own, extremely important role to play in the defense of this great nation and the protection of its citizens.

[Mesen]

Yeah but the dress blue uniform of a chief is the most awesome uniform I have ever seen! The hubby is a retired USCG (Uncle Sam's Confused Group)and in his blues with his hash marks for 24 years service it's an impressive sight. I had hoped with the problems they solved during and after Katrina they would have gotten a little more recognition. Even the swimmer movie "The Guardian" didn't seem to make a difference.

Semper paratius is a way of life with him. Hell my anniversary is August 4th!


see ya
Bree