Two National Security Cutters Commissioned

The US Coast Guard on Saturday morning celebrated the commissioning of two national security cutters at its Honolulu base.

The ceremony was for the USCGC Kimball (WMSL 756), which made it to destination on Dec. 22, 2018, and USGCG Midgett (WMSL 757), which arrived Friday from Pascagoula, Mississippi.

The Legend-class national security cutters are some of the Coast Guard’s newest additions to the fleet and are a capable platform for a wide range of missions including homeland security and defense.

Capt. Holly Harrison is the commanding officer of Kimball and Capt. Alan McCabe commands Midgett.

“These national security cutters will continue our 150 years of partnership and commitment to the Pacific region – since September 1849, when Revenue Cutter Lawrence sailed into Honolulu Harbor escorted by Native Hawaiians in outrigger canoes,” said Adm. Karl Schultz, the Coast Guard’s commandant. “In today’s complex geostrategic environment with rising great power competition, the importance and demand for a strong Coast Guard presence in the Pacific has never been greater.”

By Karen Robes Meeks