Adm. Zukunft Highlights USCG’s Successes and Challenges

 

Zukunft, who has served as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2014, delivered his fourth State of the Coast Guard Address on Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

 

The outgoing commandant, set to retire June 1, highlighted Coast Guard’s evolving role in national security as its duties continue to grow increasingly diverse – from fighting drug smugglers to ensuring the cyber security of maritime infrastructure.

 

The Coast Guard serves “as military and law enforcement officers, members of the intelligence community and enablers of the maritime industry, as lifesavers and first responders,” Zukunft said.

 

“Day in and day out, our men and women employ our broad authorities to ensure the security and prosperity of our nation. While doing so, they stand ready to respond to any disaster – natural or manmade.”

 

Among the successes highlighted by Zukunft were the Coast Guard's work to fight drug trafficking and its participation in hurricane response efforts. Last year, the Coast Guard interdicted $7.2 billion worth of cocaine on the seas and referred 606 smugglers for prosecution in the U.S. It also rescued nearly 12,000 people after hurricanes hit the East Coast, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

To help ensure the continued success of these operations and its many other efforts, the Coast Guard is carrying out plans to modernize its fleet, which includes several vessels that are more than 70 years old.

 

Zukunft noted progress in programs to acquire new National Security Cutters, Fast Response Cutters and Offshore Patrol cutters, and said the service is working to field new Waterway Commerce Cutters and is investing in remotely piloted aircraft. Procurement of a new heavy icebreaker – the Coast Guard’s first in four decades – is also in the works, with a request for proposal expected as soon as Friday.

 

“We are building out the Coast Guard of tomorrow, and in order to do so, we will need five percent annualized growth in operations and maintenance account and a floor of $2 billion for acquisitions to continue to do so,” Zukunft said. “It is a small ask for the smallest Armed Service whose full appropriation is less than one line item on the appropriations of any of the other four Armed Services.”

 

The Trump administration has requested about $11.7 billion in funding for the 2019 fiscal year for the Coast Guard, or an 8.4 percent increase over last year’s request.

 

“We’re on the right track,” Zukunft said.

 

Zukunft said there is still much to accomplish as the Coast Guard makes strides in its campaign toward removing sexual assault from its ranks. The commandant said the Sexual Assault Prevention and Recovery Strategic Plan will include a specific focus on victim recovery.

Watch Adm. Zukunft deliver his full remarks here.