U.S. Coast Guard's National Security Role in the Twenty First Century

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U.S. Coast Guard's National Security Role in the Twenty First Century

B. B. Stubbs

This report addresses the Coast Guard's National security role in the next century by interviewing current and former policy decision makers involved in the maritime aspects of national security. The report attempts to define the relationship between the Navy and the Coast Guard in the Post Cold War era when the requirements for the Coast Guard to act as Commanders of Maritime Defense Zones (MDZs) and to provide ASW capable cutters has been dramatically lessened. The author suggests the definition of national security needs to expand and that the Coast Guard provide increased support for US CINCS especially in security assistance and low order crisis response. The role of the US Coast Guard as the force manager/force provider for coastal patrol boats is also studied. The need for a viable national defense role for the Coast Guard is examined and the implications of a lack of a well-defined, needed role assessed. Coast Guard, Maritime defense zones, Patrol boats, Alien interdiction, Drug interdiction, Security assistance, Navy-Coast Guard relationship, Navy-Coast Guard Board.