Coast Guard anticipates an increased presence in Southern California

Coast Guard Adm. Karl Schultz, in a State of the Coast Guard address he made on March 21 at San Pedro, said the military arm could increase its presence in Southern California. The expanded presence, according to Schultz, could include construction of a new air station at Ventura County Naval Station, home porting of two Offshore Patrol Cutters at the Coast Guard base in Los Angeles by 2021 and adding four new Fast Response Cutters (also in Los Angeles).

“Just up the coastline at Point Mugu, we are building a new Air Station at the Ventura County Naval Station,” Schultz said during his address. “And the pier to my left [here in San Pedro] will be the homeport of our newest cutters. Not only will the first two Offshore Patrol Cutters be stationed here, but the port will soon have four new Fast Response Cutters.”

Once of those Fast Response Cutters – Terrell Horne – was christened on March 22, one day after Schultz’s speech.

Schultz added the Coast Guard has an “extensive shore infrastructure backlog that now exceeds $1.7 billion.” The remarks were made as part of his first ever State of the Coast Guard address.

The Coast Guard will continue to maintain its operations at the Port of Los Angeles, a commercial harbor also home to several recreational boating marinas.

“Our mission ready total workforce is the civilian port security specialist striving to enhance safety and security standards,” Schultz said. “The rescue swimmer who saves the fishermen minutes before their boat sinks; the cutter crew intercepting illicit drugs carried aboard a low-profile vessel; the elite deployable specialized forces team boarding non-compliant vessels in the Arabian Gulf; and, the volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliarist, educating recreational boaters on the Great Lakes.”

Photo: Seaman Ryan Estrada