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FEBRUARY The U.S. Coast Guard has decommissioned the 210' medium endurance cutter USCGC Steadfast WMEC-623 after 56 years of service. CLICK FOR ARTICLE MARCH The U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned the newest Fast Response Cutter, Melvin Bell (WPC-1155), in New London, CT on March 28th. The USCGC Melvin Bell is the 6th and final FRC to be assigned to Boston. APRIL The U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned the 10th National Security Cutter, USCGC Calhoun WMSL-759. The National Security cutter is 418' in length and replaced the aging 378' Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutters. It will be home ported in Charleston, SC. There is 1 more NSC under construction with an option for a 12th. CLICK FOR ARTICLE Coast Guard Cutter Orcas decommissioned after 35 years of service in Coos Bay, Oregon. CLICK FOR ARTICLE U.S Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa decommissioned after 34 years of service. CLICK FOR ARTICLE MAY The U.S. Coast Guard has decommissioned the 87' cutters USCGC Sea Dog and USCGC Sea Dragon. CLICK FOR ARTICLE JULY Courtesy USCG: The Coast Guard commissioned its 56th Fast Response Cutter and first one to be stationed in the Pacific Northwest during a ceremony held in Astoria, Ore., Thursday. Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC-1156) is the first of three planned Fast Response Cutter’s (FRC) to be homeported in Astoria. The commissioning ceremony is one of the most important traditional milestones in the life of a cutter, as it represents the readiness of the cutter to conduct Coast Guard operations and marks her entry into active service. US Coast Guard Sector Boston holds change of command ceremony. CLICK FOR ARTICLE OCTOBER The U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned the newest 154' Fast Response Cutter that will be home ported in Astoria, OR. The cutters namesake, Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, was a Filipino-American and a member of the World War II resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. During the war, she assisted the movement by diverting fuel destined for enemy use, falsifying documents for resistance members to obtain supplies, and using her position to facilitate acts of sabotage. In 1944, she was discovered and arrested, tortured, tried, and sentenced to three years of imprisonment. She remained in captivity until early 1945, when American forces liberated the Philippines. Finch moved back to America following the war and joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. Finch was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1947 and was also awarded the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the first woman to be so decorated. During the ceremony, Florence Finch was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which was presented to Finch’s family by retired Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP). The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by the United States Congress. "Florence Finch is a true Coast Guard and Filipino hero, and we couldn't be prouder to honor her legacy," said Coast Guard Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, Pacific Area Commander. "The cutter is now the only currently active ship in the United States military named after a Filipino-American." The crew of the Florence Finch will primarily operate in the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Columbia River. The Sentinel-class FRC is designed for multiple missions, including search and rescue; fishery patrols; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; and national defense. The Coast Guard has ordered a total of 67 FRCs to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping.
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