From U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Dec. 9, 2025 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday it has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since launching Operation Pacific Viper in early August. 

With a dose of 1.2 grams of cocaine being enough to kill a person, the amount seized through Operation Pacific Viper equates to over 57 million potentially lethal doses. 

“Operation Pacific Viper has proven to be a crucial weapon in the fight against foreign drug traffickers and cartels in Latin America and has sent a clear message that we will disrupt, dismantle and destroy their deadly business exploits wherever we find them,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. “In cutting off the flow of these deadly drugs, the Coast Guard is saving countless American lives and delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Safe Again and reestablish our maritime dominance.” 

Through Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard has been accelerating counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where significant transport of illicit narcotics continues from Central and South America. The Coast Guard surged additional assets — cutters, aircraft and tactical teams — to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs. Operation Pacific Viper continues the Coast Guard’s efforts to protect the Homeland, counter narco-terrorism and disrupt Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Transnational Criminal Organizations and cartels seeking to produce and traffic illicit drugs into the United States. 80% of all U.S.-bound narcotics seizures occur at sea, highlighting the impact of maritime drug interdiction. 

“This milestone is a testament to the vigilance and tenacity of our crews,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard’s acting commandant. “When we say we own the sea, it reflects our relentless pursuit to securing the maritime domain and disrupting the criminal networks that threaten our communities.” 

Recent operations have highlighted the effectiveness of this surged posture, including multiple record-setting efforts. On Dec. 2, Coast Guard Cutter Munro seized over 20,000 pounds of cocaine in a single interdiction, after utilizing disabling fire on a heavily laden go-fast vessel. This was the Coast Guard’s largest at-sea interdiction since March 2007. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter James executed a remarkable run of four significant seizures across 10 days in November, netting 19,819 pounds of cocaine. This series of interdictions included 9,581 pounds on Nov. 15, 3,225 pounds on Nov. 23, and two separate seizures on Nov. 25 totaling 7,055 in coordination with Coast Guard Cutter Active. 

The success of Operation Pacific Viper is marked by unprecedented seizure amounts, demonstrating continued success in the fight against narco-terrorism and Transnational Criminal Organizations. These operations deny smugglers from using Eastern Pacific maritime routes to transport illicit narcotics from South and Central America to the United States. The Coast Guard Cutter Stone made history in November, offloading approximately 49,010 pounds of illicit narcotics worth over $362 million at Port Everglades — the largest single-patrol seizure by any Coast Guard cutter. 

These continuous interdictions deny criminal organizations more than $1.1 billion dollars in illicit revenue. By disrupting the flow of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs, the Coast Guard is cutting off revenue that fuels the ability for narco-terrorists to produce and traffic illegal fentanyl, threatening American communities. 

Detecting and interdicting narco-terrorism on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South, based in Key West, Florida, detects and monitors both aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, California. 

The Coast Guard is the United States’ lead federal agency for maritime drug interdiction. We are part of the Department of Homeland Security team protecting our nation and are at all times a military service and part of the joint force defending it. 

From Austal USA, Dec. 8, 2025 

MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony today for the first U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to be built at the company’s Mobile, Ala. ship manufacturing facility.  Pickering (WMSM 919) is being built under a contract that includes up to 11 cutters and has a potential value of $3.3 billion. The Coast Guard has executed contract options for six of the 11 cutters to date. 

Ship sponsor Dr. Meghan Pickering Seymour authenticated Pickering’s keel by welding her initials onto a keel plate in front of over a hundred distinguished guests including The Honorable Mike Ezell, House of Representatives Mississippi’s 4th District and Chair of House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant (acting) U.S. Coast Guard, as well as Mobile community leaders and members of the Austal USA and USCG shipbuilding team.   

Dr. Seymour is the great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Colonel Timothy Pickering, the namesake of the first USCGC Cutter Pickering launched in 1798. She was assisted in welding her initials by one of Austal USA’s advanced welders, Mr. Ravi Khamsourin. 

The OPC program will recapitalize the Coast Guard’s aging medium endurance cutters and provide a capability bridge between the service’s national security cutters, which operate in the open ocean, and the fast response cutters which operate closer to shore.   

“Meeting this important milestone for the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter program is a significant achievement that underscores our commitment to the on-time delivery of the cutters the USCG needs,” stated Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “Today’s ceremony is representative of the hard work and dedication of our skilled workforce and the strength of the shipbuilding team of Austal USA, the Coast Guard and our suppliers. We are proud to be building these critically important cutters that will help ensure the security of our Nation.” 

The 360-foot OPC will provide the majority of the Coast Guard’s offshore presence conducting a variety of missions including law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue.  With a range of 10,200 nautical miles at 14 knots and a 60-day endurance period, each OPC will be capable of deploying independently or as part of task groups, serving as a mobile command and control platform for surge operations such as hurricane response, mass migration incidents and other events. The cutters will also support Arctic objectives by helping regulate and protect emerging commerce and energy exploration in Alaska.  

Pickering is one of two Coast Guard OPCs, and one of ten total surface vessels, under construction at Austal USA’s Mobile, Ala. ship manufacturing facility.  Austal USA started construction on its second Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), Icarus (WMSM 920), in August 2025.  

From Coast Guard Southeast District, Dec. 5, 2025 

MIAMI – A U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach law enforcement boat crew along with CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) and HSI seized approximately 3,715 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $28 million, from a suspected drug smuggling vessel 2 miles east of government cut, Tuesday. 

CBP AMO law enforcement boat crews provided assistance with multiple marine units and specialized search tools upon initial interdiction by Coast Guard Station Miami Beach crew. 

“This was the largest USCG Small boat station cocaine seizure since 1995,” said Lt. Matthew Ross, Coast Guard Station Miami Beach commanding officer. “Protecting our maritime borders from illicit drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations remains one of our highest priorities. The Coast Guard and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners remain vigilant in our shared efforts to keep our maritime borders safe by preventing illicit narcotics from reaching our communities.” 

CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO) Miami Seaport also responded with a K9 team once the vessel was brought pierside. The OFO K9 alerted to multiple locations within the vessel. A physical search by AMO agents uncovered more than 1,000 concealed packages of cocaine, weighing over 3,700 lbs. Federal agents took custody of three subjects and transported them. 

“Disrupting maritime narcotics smuggling like this demonstrates the power of teamwork in safeguarding our nation and holding criminals accountable,” said Executive Director Andy Blanco, CBP Air and Marine Operations Southeast Region. “Smugglers should be warned that our whole-of-government team is watching, and they will be caught.” 

We are part of a whole-of-government approach to secure our borders by dismantling Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCO), including narco-trafficking and human smuggling operations. 

Release From U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District

SEATTLE — The USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) departed Seattle on Thursday commencing its 29th deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze.  

Operation Deep Freeze is an annual joint military mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program. Historic investment in the Big Beautiful Bill of nearly 25 billion, $9 billion of which is specifically for icebreakers and infrastructure in the high latitudes. This massive investment in icebreakers will secure U.S. access, security, and leadership in the polar regions.  

As the U.S. Coast Guard prepares to revitalize its icebreaking fleet, the Polar Star remains the only U.S. vessel capable of breaking a navigable channel through the ice to reach McMurdo Station, the largest Antarctic station and the logistics hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program.  

Each year, the cutter serves a vital role in ensuring surface access for fuel and supply ships through the Ross Sea to resupply the U.S. Antarctic bases. Polar Star’s mission directly protects the security, freedom, and prosperity for the U.S., our allies and partners.   

“Polar Star’s crew does remarkable work maintaining and operating this ship,” said Capt. Jeff Rasnake, commanding officer of Polar Star. “Each year brings unique challenges, and I’m proud to say this crew has risen to meet them all. The way we’ve come together over the course of maintenance, and our logistical preparations is exciting as we enter the operational phase of our annual deployment cycle.”  

Commissioned in 1976, Polar Star is 399 feet, weighing 13,500 tons with a 34-foot draft. Despite reaching nearly 50 years of age, Polar Star remains the world’s most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker with the ability to produce up to 75,000 shaft horsepower.  

The continuous effort Polar Star’s crew commits to maintaining the aging cutter ensures the nation’s access to the continent and the economic, environmental, and national security interests in the high latitudes. Polar Star will continue to support Operation Deep Freeze until new Polar and Arctic Security Cutters enter service in the coming decade.   

Since 1955, Active, Reserve, and Guard members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and Army have proudly supported the USAP by the air and sea lift of supplies to McMurdo Station.  

From U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Tampa (WMEC 902) returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Friday, following a 67-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the counterdrug mission “Operation Pacific Viper.” 

Tampa’s crew deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South and conducted counterdrug missions in the Coast Guard’s Eastern Pacific area of responsibility. While at sea, Tampa’s crew successfully contributed to protecting Americans by countering transnational criminal organizations and preventing dangerous and illegal narcotics from reaching the United States. The crew worked alongside Coast Guard Cutter Stone (WMSL 758) and their embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron. 

On Oct. 8, approximately 270 nautical miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Tampa intercepted a 40-foot low-profile vessel suspected of carrying Illicit narcotics. Tampa’s crew intercepted three suspected smugglers, transferring them to Stone. After recovering about 620 kilograms of the cocaine, the boarding team disembarked because the vessel became unseaworthy after it started taking on water. Tampa’s crew conducted a controlled sinking to prevent the vessel from becoming a hazard to navigation.  

Tampa made port calls in San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, hosting members of the Ecuadorian coast guard for tours, and in Panama City, Panama. On Nov. 2, the crew anchored near Isla de Cocos, Costa Rica, exchanging professional experiences with Costa Rican park rangers. This exchange strengthened international relations with Costa Rica and demonstrated the Coast Guard’s commitment to building partnerships throughout the region. 

“I am extremely proud of our crew’s dedication and professionalism during this challenging deployment,” said Cmdr. Joshua DiPietro, commanding officer of Tampa. “The Tampa crew displayed exceptional seamanship, tactical expertise and cultural sensitivity while operating across two oceans. Their efforts directly contributed to disrupting criminal networks, keeping dangerous narcotics from reaching American communities and strengthening vital partnerships with our regional partners.” 

Tampa is a 270-foot Famous-class medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1984. The cutter’s primary missions include counterdrug and migrant interdiction operations, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue operations in support of Coast Guard missions throughout the Western Hemisphere. Tampa operates under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, based in Portsmouth, Virginia. 

From Coast Guard Southeast District – Nov. 19, 2025 

MIAMI – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone’s crew offloaded approximately 49,010 pounds of illicit narcotics worth more than $362 million at Port Everglades, Wednesday.  

This offload marks the most amount of cocaine seized by a single cutter in one patrol in Coast Guard history.   

The seized contraband was the result of 15 interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.  

“I am extremely proud of the crew’s incredible performance during this deployment,” said Capt. Anne O’Connell, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Stone. “This offload demonstrates our increased posture and continued success in the fight against narco-terrorism and transnational criminal organizations. The Coast Guard, in conjunction with our inter-agency and international partners, continues to patrol areas commonly associated with drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, denying smugglers access to maritime routes by which they move illicit drugs to our U.S. land and sea borders.”  

The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations:   

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone   

U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville   

Joint Interagency Task Force-South    

Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders   

Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders  

80% of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea. This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting American communities from this deadly threat. U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force -South based in Key West, conducts the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, California.    

To protect the Homeland from ongoing trafficking of illicit narcotics from South America to the United States, the Coast Guard is accelerating our counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Pacific Viper.  

The Coast Guard continues increased operations to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs by sea. These drugs fuel and enable cartels and transnational criminal organizations to produce and traffic illegal fentanyl, threatening the United States.  

These interdictions deny criminal organizations more than half a billion dollars in illicit revenue. They provide critical testimonial and drug evidence as well as key intelligence for their total elimination. These interdictions relate to Panama Express, an initiative of HSTF Tampa, investigations in support of Operation Take Back America. PANEX identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  

USCGC Stone is one of four 418-foot Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.  

From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, Nov. 11, 2025 

The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS 19), operating under U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in the Gulf of America, returned to Naval Station Mayport ), along with the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 Detachment 5 and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 408 after completing a surge deployment on November 10, 2025 

U.S. Navy assets are deployed under U.S Northern Command’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs or other illegal activity. USNORTHCOM is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border with additional military forces. 

“The crew of St. Louis is grateful for the opportunity to support and defend the homeland,” stated Cmdr. Lee Shewmake, commanding officer, USS St. Louis (LCS 19). “We are always ready to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to international cooperation and supporting regional security and prosperity. Our Officers and Sailors onboard welcome every opportunity to collaborate with our partners, strengthening our interoperability and shared goals in the area.” 
 
In support of USNORTHCOM’s mission to restore territorial integrity at the U.S. southern border, St. Louis reinforced the nation’s commitment to border security by enhancing maritime efforts and supporting interagency collaboration. The ship’s deployment highlights the Department of War and Navy’s dedication to national security priorities, contributing to a coordinated and robust response to combating maritime-related terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, environmental destruction, and illegal seaborne immigration. 
 
“The U.S. Navy commends the crew of the St. Louis for their deployment in support of U.S. Northern Command’s mission,” stated Capt. Wade Smith, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2. “St. Louis reinforced our nation’s commitment to border security and 
interoperability with our partners and Allies.” 
 
St. Louis brought maritime capabilities in response to Presidential executive orders and a national emergency declaration and clarification of the military’s role in protecting the territorial integrity of the United States. 
 
A U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) was embarked aboard St. Louis. Coast Guard LEDETs carry out a variety of maritime interdiction missions, including counter- piracy, military combat operations, alien migration interdiction, military force protection, counter terrorism, homeland security, and humanitarian response. 
 
USS St. Louis (LCS 19) is assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron (LCSRON) 2 and homeported in Mayport, Fla. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. It is a class of small surface combatants armed with capabilities to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers. 
 
U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime ready forces to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. 

Coast Guard Oceania District External Affairs, Nov. 13, 2025 

HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian military vessel operating near U.S. territorial waters approximately 15 nautical miles south of Oahu on Oct. 29. 
 
A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules from Air Station Barbers Point and the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart (WPC 1134) responded to the Russian Federation Navy Auxiliary General Intelligence ship Kareliya, a Vishnya-class intelligence ship, by conducting a safe and professional overflight and transiting near the vessel. 
 
Acting in accordance with international law, Coast Guard personnel are monitoring the Russian vessel’s activities near U.S. territorial waters to provide maritime security for U.S. vessels operating in the area and to support U.S. homeland defense efforts. 
 
“The U.S. Coast Guard routinely monitors maritime activity around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific to ensure the safety and security of U.S. waters,” said Capt. Matthew Chong, chief of response, Coast Guard Oceania District. “Working in concert with partners and allies, our crews monitor and respond to foreign military vessel activity near our territorial waters to protect our maritime borders and defend our sovereign interests.” 
 
Coast Guard Oceania District works in conjunction with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and interagency partners to constantly monitor the activity of foreign military vessels operating near U.S. territorial waters, including the waters of U.S. territories Guam and American Samoa, to ensure homeland security and defense. 
 
Under customary international law, foreign military vessels are permitted to transit and operate outside other nations’ territorial seas, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from shore. 

From U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, Nov. 11, 2025 

SANTA RITA, Guam — The USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) crew returned to homeport Nov. 5, after a deployment of more than eight months that included scheduled drydock maintenance in Honolulu and activities in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. 
 
“The crew of Frederick Hatch stands among the finest Fast Response Cutter teams I have led,” said Lt. Cmdr. Vaughn Gehman, commanding officer. They continue to deliver reliable, safe operations across the Pacific. Their resilience and skill in extended operations are an inspiration for continued service afloat.” 
 
The cutter departed Guam on Feb. 24 and is the third Guam-based Fast Response Cutter to complete the significant systems overhaul. Crews and contractors restored full mission capability through a $4.5 million drydock addressing required maintenance and a major engineering upgrade. The vessel also onloaded $750,000 in unit gear and steamed over 7,970 nautical miles. 
 
En route to Hawai’i, the crew turned a weather delay into a security engagement during a March port call in Majuro, RMI. The crew conducted activities with the crew of the French navy frigate FS Prairial (F731), including a passing exercise to enhance interoperability and practice communication, navigation, and operational procedures to ensure effective cooperation in joint operations, a simulated fire response, and best practices for fisheries inspection and boardings. The exchange reinforced U.S. commitments with allies and partners in the region.  
 
On the return leg, the crew proved a new at-sea refueling concept. With four days to prepare for the complex evolution, Frederick Hatch received more than 12,000 gallons of fuel from a larger cutter while underway. The evolution extended endurance and reduced risk during long transits. The cutter crew also delivered 4,000 pounds of difficult-to-ship goods to forces in Guam, boosting regional readiness.  
 
The team qualified over a dozen members in roles such as underway officer of the deck, underway engineering officer of the watch, in-port officer of the deck, quartermaster of the watch, and onboard training team members, while also integrating seven new crew members. 
 
The return of the Frederick Hatch restores three fully operational Fast Response Cutters in Guam. Two additional cutters remain in pre-commissioning status with crews training on the island. The fleet, in concert with Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, secures U.S. and territorial borders, ensures the flow of commerce, and stands ready to respond to crises across the Pacific.  

From Headquarters, U.S. Coast Guard

WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard announced Friday it exceeded its fiscal year 2025 (FY25) recruiting goals, achieving the highest accession numbers since 1991. 

The Coast Guard accessed 5,204 active-duty enlisted service members in FY25, which was 121% of its FY25 target of 4,300. This success was the second year in a row that the Coast Guard met its active-duty enlisted recruiting goals after the Service brought in 4,422 new service members last year. 

In addition to the success of the active-duty enlisted recruiting efforts, the Service commissioned 371 new officers, to achieve 101% of the overall goal. This represents the largest officer target achieved in recorded history. 

In the reserve component, the Coast Guard accessed 777 reservists, which was 104% of the official target of 750. This was the third year in a row that the Coast Guard met its recruiting goals for the Coast Guard reserve. 

To support these recruiting efforts, the Coast Guard opened 7 new recruiting offices in FY25. These offices are located in: 

• Miami, Florida 

• Los Angeles, California  

• Long Island, New York  

• Austin, Texas  

• Grand Rapids, Michigan  

• Cincinnati, Ohio  

• Davenport, Iowa 

All enlisted members begin their Coast Guard careers at Training Center Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey, where they complete basic training to prepare for service. Officer accessions occur on board the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, where candidates are trained and commissioned for service as Coast Guard officers. 

“The Coast Guard far exceeded our recruiting goals in Fiscal Year 2025, showing that more Americans want to serve in the Coast Guard than ever before,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard. “Thanks to our recruiters for their great success. We aren’t just growing – we are bringing in the best talent from across the United States and building the workforce of the future.” 

These results align with the goals of Force Design 2028, a strategic initiative to modernize the Coast Guard’s workforce, enhance readiness and grow its military force by 15,000 members by FY28 to support fleet expansion and meet emerging mission demands.