en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/267335 Comments by Anonymouse http://cgblog.org/2009/05/15/drugs-subs-are-out-drug-torpedoes-are-in/#IDComment21648660 The drug organizations tried this a few years ago with a cylinder slightly larger than a torpedo, and it wasn't all that successful. It was relatively easy for patrol aircraft to see the tow line attached to a fishing vessel, and the FV speed of advance was restricted. SPSS are hard to detect and can carry more product than a torpedo. Sat, 16 May 2009 19:18:28 +0000 http://cgblog.org/2009/05/15/drugs-subs-are-out-drug-torpedoes-are-in/#IDComment21648660 http://cgblog.org/2009/05/13/were-here/#IDComment21408406 Not only do I like the new look, the site seems to load faster. Wed, 13 May 2009 23:06:45 +0000 http://cgblog.org/2009/05/13/were-here/#IDComment21408406 http://www.cgblog.org/2009/04/swine-flus-effect-on-coast-guard.html#IDComment20132849 Actually, according to CNN, 36,000 people die annually in the US from the flu. In other words, so far, this is mass over-reaction from the media and the government. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:26:22 +0000 http://www.cgblog.org/2009/04/swine-flus-effect-on-coast-guard.html#IDComment20132849 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/coast-guard-image-guardians-of-gray.html#IDComment19980882 Logically, I know that leaving the 47s unpainted was the right way to go. Emotionally, I miss the 44's for their white paint. Dirty aluminum looks so......Navy. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:13:53 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/coast-guard-image-guardians-of-gray.html#IDComment19980882 http://www.cgblog.org/2009/04/statement-by-adm-allen-on-piracy.html#IDComment19709950 An excellent statement, save for one minor error. MOTR is not a "novel concept." Intra-governmental cooperation in the maritime arena dates back to around 1978 with the promulgation of PD-27. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:52:08 +0000 http://www.cgblog.org/2009/04/statement-by-adm-allen-on-piracy.html#IDComment19709950 http://www.cgblog.org/2009/04/yes-coast-guard-did-that-drug-bust.html#IDComment18515189 A slight correction for accuracy. Yes, the big news here was the fact that Venezuela gave the US public credit for the boarding and seizure. It was not big news that Venezuela gave us permission to board one of their flag vessels. Yes, since 2002, our overall relationship with Venezuela has been strained. However, in the maritime arena, the overall chill never affected our relationship with the Venezuelan Navy. For the most part, it's been ops normal - quietly. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:44:09 +0000 http://www.cgblog.org/2009/04/yes-coast-guard-did-that-drug-bust.html#IDComment18515189 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18268484 assigning a LEDET to a Navy ship isn't the same as the mixed crew advocated by Mr. Dolbow. Unless LEDETs is what he was advocating. If it was, we are in violent agreement. Mon, 6 Apr 2009 23:22:55 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18268484 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18228975 Mixing Coast Guardsmen and Navy personnel on ships would be a nightmare, starting with the fact that they are in different Departments and have different statutory authorities. Different budget processes, personnel systems, different reporting and evaluation systems. If you are interested in maximizing strengths of the Coast Guard and the Navy, ensuring that AFRICOM, PACOM, EUCOM, and CENTCOM each had a sufficient number of Coast Guard LEDETs they could employ where needed - would go a long way. Mon, 6 Apr 2009 03:35:30 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18228975 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18223088 Good question. Given that the Coast Guard hasn't received funding yet for all eight planned NSC, I wonder if Congress will ever fund the OPC's. Especially since a design for the OPC haven't been firmed up - AFAIK - and the NSC's are so horribly over budget. My guess is that if we ever see the OPC, they will be smaller, cheaper and fewer. Sun, 5 Apr 2009 23:57:21 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18223088 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18125084 the planned but not designed or funded Offshore Patrol Cutters? At the rate things are going, will we ever see the OPC's? Fri, 3 Apr 2009 23:27:25 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment18125084 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment17996427 I should clarify my last comment. Soft power is indeed useful, when employed properly. But I think it is naive to think that a blanket assignment of Coast Guard Cutters with every CSG and ESG is going to make people around the world go all soft and warm about the United States. Remember the reception afforded the Dallas in Sevastopol last September? Did we win many "hearts and minds" there? Thu, 2 Apr 2009 01:28:25 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment17996427 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment17944324 Instead of playing Navy, the Coast Guard should concentrate on doing what makes it unique. Does that mean the CG should never operate with the Navy? Of course not. But to suggest that a CG cutter be assigned to every Carrier Strike Group and Expeditionary Strike Group would be a massive waste of scarce Coast Guard resources. Not to mention we don't have the ships that can keep up with a CSG..... The Coast Guard has done, and can continue to do wonderful things operating overseas as a national asset - West Africa and the Middle East come to mind. But to assign a CG cutter as premised because it will "win the hearts and minds around the world" is hopelessly naive. Wed, 1 Apr 2009 03:09:41 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-national-security-cutter-for-every.html#IDComment17944324 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/can-coast-guard-or-us-match-russia-in.html#IDComment17724306 Going to Finland is a nice idea, but it isn't going to happen. Not in the present reality. Anybody remember how Congress and the shipbuilding industry reacted when the Coast Guard wanted to purchase a mothballed Canadian built breaker some years ago? Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:23:44 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/can-coast-guard-or-us-match-russia-in.html#IDComment17724306 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-set-to-kill-loran.html#IDComment17114819 Just like we left Morse Code behind, it's time to leave Loran behind. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:34:38 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-set-to-kill-loran.html#IDComment17114819 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/open-discussion-for-week-of-march-8.html#IDComment16836736 I wouldn't worry about it. ABC just announced it was being cancelled. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:09:12 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/open-discussion-for-week-of-march-8.html#IDComment16836736 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/coast-guard-image-side-shot.html#IDComment16480390 Nice display indeed, although I prefer the version where the anchors are spar colored, and there is an outside roundel lined with line. But one of the nicer things about the seal in either version is that it isn't polluted by any links to the Homeland Security logo. One thing I've always wondered is when the seal was designed, why the roundel wasn't centered over the shanks of the two crossed anchors. Why do you think the roundel is flush up against the stocks. Anyone know why? Sat, 7 Mar 2009 21:48:32 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/coast-guard-image-side-shot.html#IDComment16480390 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/open-discussion-for-week-of-march-1.html#IDComment16012344 Credit problems can be a quick disqualifier, both the amount of money that is owed, and your payment history. With regard to being a pilot, at 29, you might be already at the upper end of the age range. I'm pretty sure the Navy won't take anyone into flight training that is older than 29, and unless the CG has a different policy, you would have to get commissioned and selected for flight training before you hit 30. Sun, 1 Mar 2009 19:24:29 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/open-discussion-for-week-of-march-1.html#IDComment16012344 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-set-to-kill-loran.html#IDComment15900884 I have a novel idea. Celestial navigation. It worked well for hundreds of years. Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:07:15 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-set-to-kill-loran.html#IDComment15900884 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-set-to-kill-loran.html#IDComment15862088 It's about time. LORAN should have been shut down years ago. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:48:51 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/president-obama-set-to-kill-loran.html#IDComment15862088 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/arctic-mission-coast-guards-not-alone.html#IDComment15767337 Mr JT - I realize that the Healy isn't as capable as the Polars. That isn't the point. RADM Brooks said the Coast Guard hasn't built a polar breaker in 30 years. Cutterman says Healy isn't a polar breaker. The problem is, the Coast Guard clearly states in several web sites that the Healy IS a Polar breaker. So which is it? Polar breaker, or ice-capable research vessel? Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:51:31 +0000 http://ucgblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/arctic-mission-coast-guards-not-alone.html#IDComment15767337