Latest news with #ForceDesign2028
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
US Reveals New Polar Icebreaker Amid Arctic Rivalry With Russia and China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States' first polar icebreaker acquired for the Coast Guard in more than 25 years has begun its maiden voyage, as it prepares to safeguard America's interests in the Arctic. The vessel, USCGC Storis, will expand U.S. presence in the Arctic, the Coast Guard said on Wednesday, adding that the nation's third polar icebreaker will support national security. Why It Matters Last summer, the Pentagon released its updated Arctic strategy amid growing cooperation between Russia and its quasi-ally China—both engaged in great power competition with the U. S.—calling for an increased U.S. military presence in the region as a countermeasure. Russia has been building its military power in the Arctic by establishing nearly three-dozen bases. China—which has declared itself an "important stakeholder" in Arctic affairs—has also expanded its presence there, including Coast Guard patrols and icebreaker deployments. Meanwhile, melting ice—caused by climate change—has exposed previously inaccessible natural resources and opened new shipping routes in the Arctic, intensifying competition among Washington, Moscow, Beijing, and other powers for control of the strategic region. What To Know The Storis, which was acquired last December and previously named Aiviq, departed from Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Tuesday. The ship—manned by both military and civilian personnel—has been modified to enhance its communications and self-defense capabilities. The U.S. Coast Guard said the Storis is scheduled to be commissioned in August at its permanent home port in Juneau, Alaska. However, the ship will be temporarily stationed in Seattle, Washington, until shore infrastructure improvements in Juneau are completed. Open-source ship tracking data from the online service MarineTraffic shows that the Storis was underway in the Caribbean Sea as of Friday and is expected to arrive in San Diego, California, in July. The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" sails in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" sails in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. Photos courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore The acquisition of the Storis serves as a bridge to the delivery of the Polar Security Cutter-class icebreakers. The first ship in the class is expected to commence its construction this year and could be delivered as early as 2028—three years later than originally scheduled. Icebreakers provide assured U.S. access and presence to the polar regions, the U.S. Coast Guard said in Force Design 2028—a blueprint to transform it into a "stronger, more ready, and capable" fighting force, announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The U.S. Coast Guard operates two-dozen icebreakers, of which only three are designed for polar operations. Russia—which controls 53 percent of the Arctic coastline—possesses more than 40 icebreakers, according to the specialist outlet Breaking Defense. What People Are Saying The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday: "The Coast Guard operates the United States' fleet of icebreakers to assure access to the polar regions to protect U.S. sovereignty. To fulfill this mission and meet operational needs in the polar regions, the Coast Guard requires a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers." The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" is shown here from a top view while underway in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. The United States Coast Guard polar icebreaker USCGC "Storis" is shown here from a top view while underway in the Gulf of America on June 3, 2025. Photos courtesy of Edison Chouest Offshore The Pentagon's 2024 Arctic Strategy read: "The Arctic includes multiple strategically significant maritime chokepoints. Reduction in sea ice due to climate change means chokepoints such as the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia and the Barents Sea north of Norway, are becoming more navigable and more economically and militarily significant." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Coast Guard will expedite the delivery of new polar icebreakers to maintain its presence in the Arctic amid growing challenges from Russia and China.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
At Coast Guard Academy graduation, Kristi Noem talks as protesters gather
U.S. Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem delivered the keynote address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's 2025 commencement. She said the Trump administration plans to 'transform' the Coast Guard. (Photo by USCGA via YouTube) As U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets and their families arrived on the New London campus in Connecticut Wednesday morning for graduation, protesters filled nearby McKinley Park to voice their opposition to the academy's commencement speaker, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. 'Congratulations!' the protesters called out to the cadets and their family members as they passed by on the sidewalk. Some of the graduation attendees thanked the protesters for their presence outside the academy. The protesters carried signs calling out various actions by the Trump administration, including the unlawful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, the Trump administration's cuts to veterans services, the recent federal budget proposal that includes cuts to Medicaid, the administration's position on Ukraine and the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student who played a strong role in pro-Palestinian protests. While demonstrators protested right outside of the campus, Noem got a polite and warm reception from Cadet Memorial Field as she delivered a 20-minute keynote address. 'You're the first graduating class of a brand new Coast Guard,' Noem said. 'I want to share with you today what part of President Trump's vision is for the future of this force. With your help, President Trump and I are going to make America's Coast Guard the strongest, the most capable, the also most effective military service in the entire government.' She highlighted recent conversations with President Donald J. Trump from the Oval Office about the needs of the Coast Guard, which, unlike other military branches, is overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. And she detailed how the administration plans to 'transform' the service through a new effort called 'Force Design 2028.' Protesters, meanwhile, uniformly told The Connecticut Mirror they had no problem with the Coast Guard. In fact, they expressed admiration for the service. '[I] highly respect the Coast Guard,' said Janet Bannister of Coventry. 'I've known a lot of young people who have made it through. I'm just so proud of them. So yes, we hope it's clear to people that we are pro-Coast Guard and celebrating the graduates, but … here we are.' Montville resident Linda Ness said she was against the current federal budget proposal, particularly cuts to Medicaid and the amount of money it would add to the national debt. 'It's where they're putting their money. It has nothing to do with the country['s] needs and the people. They're taking care of corporations, they're taking care of the ultra-wealthy. That's not democracy,' she said. Ness held a sign listing police, fire departments, hospitals and utilities as some of the benefits that the wealthy use and said she was opposed to the idea of them receiving tax cuts. Claudia Allen, a resident of Thompson, told CT Mirror that she'd been attending protests since Ronald Reagan was elected president. ' My son was sent to Iraq, and I'm a peace activist. That was horrifying, with George Bush. But even that, there were some people who were competent and who were not aligned [with] him instead of the U.S. Constitution,' said Allen. 'This is the Constitution state, and she's not upholding the Constitution, nor is that administration. That's a big reason that I'm here.' Immigration enforcement was another common theme among the protesters. They mentioned the violation of court orders, instances of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehending people, and deportations to countries like El Salvador and South Sudan without due process. '[The administration] is so incompetent,' said Denise Weinschenker of Salem. ' He was supposed to drain the swamp. Instead he went into the swamp and pulled all those people out.' Joanne Sheehan, one of the protest's organizers and a member of the Unify & Resist Coalition, told CT Mirror that they have organized protests in the past against U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement speakers. She said they had counted 250 people present at the protest today but estimated that there were more. Sheehan said the protests were different sizes each year. Some years, only a few dozen people showed up, and others counted protesters in the hundreds. The largest, she said, was the spring after Trump was elected for the first time. Other protesters mentioned the abrupt firing of Admiral Linda Lee Fagan in late January, a day after Trump's inauguration. They criticized the administration for Fagan's dismissal, noting that she was the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and praising her focus on diversity in the Coast Guard. 'Sexual assault has been endemic and such a problem here. And they finally get someone to clean it up, and he fires her immediately. Day one,' said Mystic resident Martha Crum. The firing drew condemnation from some of Connecticut's congressional delegation at the time. DHS officials cited issues with deployment of the Coast Guard to assist with border security, dissatisfaction with recruitment and retention, efforts surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and cost overruns on icebreakers and helicopters used in the Arctic region. They also raised concerns about the handling of Operation Fouled Anchor, an investigation into decades of sexual misconduct claims at the Coast Guard Academy and past leaders' decisions not to disclose a report about it to Congress. Fagan did not serve as commandant at that time but had apologized for not acting on it until CNN broke the story in 2023. In addition to a shift in top leadership, the Coast Guard and its New London service academy have already undergone other structural changes. Since Trump's executive order taking aim at DEI policies, the Coast Guard has shuttered a number of DEI-related programs and offices, including the Academy's Office of Culture and Climate. The Coast Guard had prioritized DEI as a way to boost recruitment and retention among cadets as well as within the force. In a Coast Guard Academy diversity report submitted to Congress in 2024, Fagan wrote that such initiatives show progress was made 'in attracting a workforce that is representative of the nation and preparing culturally competent leaders for the future.' Recruitment was a big part of Noem's keynote address Wednesday, pointing out the current shortfalls in the enlisted workforce as well as ships with incomplete crews. According to Admiral Kevin Lunday, who is currently serving as acting commandant, the Coast Guard has surpassed its annual recruitment goal and has so far recruited 4,700 new members, Noem said. Since Trump's executive order taking aim at DEI policies, the Coast Guard has shuttered a number of DEI-related programs and offices, including the Academy's Office of Culture and Climate. Along with recruitment, Noem said, 'Force Design 2028' will aim to reorganize the service by reducing the number of admirals by 25%, replacing outdated technology, fixing crumbling infrastructure and increasing the number of icebreakers. She said the goal over the next four years is to increase the size of the Coast Guard by at least 15,000 personnel. 'Those needs represent the biggest Coast Guard readiness crisis that we have seen since World War II,' Noem said. 'That may have been the Coast Guard of the past, but that will not be the Coast Guard of the future.' As her speech concluded, Noem made an initially unplanned announcement about the new leadership team at the Coast Guard. Among other promotions, Lunday will now be nominated for the commandant role permanently. He spoke shortly before Noem and praised the administration for its 'inspiring leadership and remarkable advocacy' of the Coast Guard. This article first appeared on CT Mirror and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Secretary of Homeland Security speaks to US Coast Guard Academy graduates at 144th commencement
NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — A sea of graduates arrived at Cadet Memorial Field. After four years at the US Coast Guard Academy, they become the service's newest ensigns. 'It couldn't come soon enough and I can 't believe the moment's here,' new ensign Jack Derry of Niantic said. Electric Boat strike avoided thanks to tentative agreement Among the more than 260 graduates, 18 are from Connecticut, including the Distinguished Graduate Veronica Krystofik of Colchester. 'Force Design 2028 is the most significant shift in a century but I'm not worried because I know exactly who is stepping up to that challenge,' Krystofik said. 'Our class and our motto says it best, 'For others we fight.'' 'We're extra proud that she got to represent Colchester and the great state of Connecticut,' said Donna and Ron Krystofik, who are the Veronica Krystofik's parents. The changes were laid out by Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the keynote speaker at the 144th commencement ceremonies. 'Force Design 2028 is our roadmap to revolutionize the Coast Guard,' said Noem. Noem told graduates Force Design 2028 focuses on four different campaigns — people, organization, acquisition, as well as, contracting and technology. 'As part of this campaign the service will reduce the number of its admirals by 25% so that we can return the decision making to the front line,' Noem said. 'Where it belongs.' The protests outside the Coast Guard Academy did not interrupt the ceremony inside it. 'We have a lot of criticism of Noem but I've been seeing a lot of just friendly hellos to the families as they walk past,' protestor Charles Thompson said. Nathan and Tabitha Aime from Easton are brother and sister. 'Just really excited to graduate with my sister so it's been an honor and a blessing,' new ensign Nathan Aime said. 'Yeah I'm so excited to serve my country,' Tabitha Aime added. 'Both our parents gave us so much just by being here so we're excited.' The new ensigns do get to enjoy some leave, time with family and friends, but in 30 days they will report to their new assignments. Now though is a time to celebrate an academic mission accomplished. 'I joined to help people and I really just want to help as many people as I can in the future,' new ensign Kira Howard of Wilton said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
21-05-2025
- Politics
Promising reform, Noem tells US Coast Guard Academy graduates they will lead a 'brand new' service
The U.S. Coast Guard is facing its largest readiness crisis since World War II, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday as she promised an overhaul of the service that she called the 'point of the spear' in the nation's defense. Noem, the keynote speaker at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's commencement, outlined the Trump administration's plans to increase the service's military workforce by at least 15,000 by the end of fiscal year 2028. The plan also calls for reducing the number of admirals by 25%, boosting recruiting efforts and increasing the fleet, including icebreakers that are used in the Arctic. 'A new chapter for America's Coast Guard, one like we have never seen before, starts right now,' she told the 256 cadets, who became newly minted officers from the prestigious service academy in New London, Connecticut. Noem spoke of the Coast Guard being 10% short of its enlisted workforce goals and relying on outdated aircraft and ships, some sailing with 75% of the needed crew members. She recalled a meeting with President Donald Trump, who she said asked what the Coast Guard needed. 'I said sir, they need everything,' Noem said. 'They've been neglected for too long.' The Coast Guard has more than 43,000 active duty members, 8,000 reservists, and 30,000 auxiliary members. 'We are on the edge of transformational change,' said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, who Noem announced Wednesday will become the service's new commandant. Lunday has been the service's acting commandant since Jan. 21, after Trump fired former Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first female leader of the Coast Guard. The administration's modernization plan, called Force Design 2028, officially takes effect on Wednesday, Noem said. Besides increasing the workforce, it calls for the appointment of a dedicated civilian leader to oversee the 234-year-old maritime service, essentially mirroring how the other branches of the U.S. military are led at the Pentagon. Nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, the proposed Coast Guard Service Secretary within the Homeland Security Department would advocate for a service 'weakened by decades of underinvestment, neglect and strategic drift,' and create a new level of accountability, according to the plan released Wednesday. Such a change would require congressional approval. Currently, there is at least one bill before Congress that would create such a position. 'Creating a Secretary of the Coast Guard ensures they have the leadership, resources, and support they need to continue their vital missions,' said the bill's author, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell of Mississippi, chair of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, in a recent written statement. 'It's time we give the Coast Guard the same level of recognition and advocacy that other military branches receive.' Control of the Coast Guard was officially transferred from the U.S. Department of Transportation to DHS in 2003. The Commandant of the Coast Guard, a four-star admiral and the highest ranking Coast Guard officer, is now tasked with leading the service. The Coast Guard competes for attention with more than a dozen components of the DHS, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Under the Trump administration's plan, the appointment of a secretary, accountable to the president and the DHS secretary and subject to congressional oversight, presents an opportunity to reform the service's organizational structure. 'The Coast Guard must be able to conduct its missions and deliver results without being mired in wasteful bureaucracy,' the report reads. Many of the service academy graduates cheered the promised reforms during Wednesday's commencement. Cadet Veronica Krystofik of Colchester, Conn., who was named the Distinguished Graduate of the class of 2025, said Force Design 2028 marks 'the most significant shift in a century.' 'But I'm not worried because I know exactly who is stepping up to that challenge. Our class,' she said. Six international students also graduated on Wednesday. They will return to their native countries' maritime services.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Promising reform, Noem tells US Coast Guard Academy graduates they will lead a 'brand new' service
The U.S. Coast Guard is facing its largest readiness crisis since World War II, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday as she promised an overhaul of the service that she called the 'point of the spear' in the nation's defense. Noem, the keynote speaker at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's commencement, outlined the Trump administration's plans to increase the service's military workforce by at least 15,000 by the end of fiscal year 2028. The plan also calls for reducing the number of admirals by 25%, boosting recruiting efforts and increasing the fleet, including icebreakers that are used in the Arctic. 'A new chapter for America's Coast Guard, one like we have never seen before, starts right now,' she told the 256 cadets, who became newly minted officers from the prestigious service academy in New London, Connecticut. Noem spoke of the Coast Guard being 10% short of its enlisted workforce goals and relying on outdated aircraft and ships, some sailing with 75% of the needed crew members. She recalled a meeting with President Donald Trump, who she said asked what the Coast Guard needed. 'I said sir, they need everything,' Noem said. 'They've been neglected for too long.' Big change is afoot The Coast Guard has more than 43,000 active duty members, 8,000 reservists, and 30,000 auxiliary members. 'We are on the edge of transformational change,' said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, who Noem announced Wednesday will become the service's new commandant. Lunday has been the service's acting commandant since Jan. 21, after Trump fired former Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first female leader of the Coast Guard. The administration's modernization plan, called Force Design 2028, officially takes effect on Wednesday, Noem said. Besides increasing the workforce, it calls for the appointment of a dedicated civilian leader to oversee the 234-year-old maritime service, essentially mirroring how the other branches of the U.S. military are led at the Pentagon. Nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, the proposed Coast Guard Service Secretary within the Homeland Security Department would advocate for a service 'weakened by decades of underinvestment, neglect and strategic drift,' and create a new level of accountability, according to the plan released Wednesday. Such a change would require congressional approval. Currently, there is at least one bill before Congress that would create such a position. 'Creating a Secretary of the Coast Guard ensures they have the leadership, resources, and support they need to continue their vital missions,' said the bill's author, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell of Mississippi, chair of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, in a recent written statement. 'It's time we give the Coast Guard the same level of recognition and advocacy that other military branches receive.' Coast Guard is now under Homeland Security Control of the Coast Guard was officially transferred from the U.S. Department of Transportation to DHS in 2003. The Commandant of the Coast Guard, a four-star admiral and the highest ranking Coast Guard officer, is now tasked with leading the service. The Coast Guard competes for attention with more than a dozen components of the DHS, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Under the Trump administration's plan, the appointment of a secretary, accountable to the president and the DHS secretary and subject to congressional oversight, presents an opportunity to reform the service's organizational structure. 'The Coast Guard must be able to conduct its missions and deliver results without being mired in wasteful bureaucracy,' the report reads. Many of the service academy graduates cheered the promised reforms during Wednesday's commencement. Cadet Veronica Krystofik of Colchester, Conn., who was named the Distinguished Graduate of the class of 2025, said Force Design 2028 marks 'the most significant shift in a century.' 'But I'm not worried because I know exactly who is stepping up to that challenge. Our class,' she said. Six international students also graduated on Wednesday. They will return to their native countries' maritime services. ___
