Dec. 22, 2020 —
The 42nd fast response cutter (FRC), Robert Goldman, was delivered to the Coast Guard in Key West, Florida, Dec. 21, 2020. It is the second of six planned FRCs to be stationed in Manama, Bahrain. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 42nd fast response cutter (FRC), Robert Goldman, in Key West, Florida, Dec. 21.
It is the second of six planned FRCs stationed in Manama, Bahrain. Stationing FRCs in Bahrain supports Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the U.S., and its mission to train, organize, equip, support and deploy combat-ready Coast Guard forces in support of Central Command and national security objectives.
PATFORSWA works with Naval Forces Central Command in conducting maritime operations to forward U.S. interests, deter and counter disruptive countries, defeat violent extremism and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to secure the maritime environment in the Central Command area of responsibility.
In July 1944, during World War II, Pharmacist’s Mate Robert Goldman reported for duty aboard the Coast Guard-manned Landing Ship, Tank-66 (LST-66). That autumn, LST-66 would play a key role in landing troops and supplies on Leyte Island, a strategically important location in the Philippines. The amphibious campaign, known as the Battle of Leyte, was intended to cut off critical adversarial support forces and supply lines and ultimately help liberate the Philippines from adversarial control. On Nov. 12, 1944, LST-66 was hit by a kamikaze aircraft, killing or wounding many of the crew. Despite suffering severe burns and shrapnel wounds, Goldman immediately moved to treat and comfort his injured shipmates. He refused treatment of his own injuries until his shipmates were attended to. Goldman was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal for his heroism and devotion to duty.
The Sentinel-class 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. The cutters are designed for multiple missions, including search and rescue; national defense; ports, waterways and coastal security; drug and migrant interdiction; and fisheries patrols.
The Coast Guard has ordered 60 FRCs to date. Thirty-eight are in service: 12 in Florida; seven in Puerto Rico; four in California; three each in Hawaii, Texas and New Jersey; and two each in Alaska, Mississippi and North Carolina. Two FRCs operating in their homeport of Guam will be commissioned in 2021. Future FRC homeports include Astoria, Oregon; and Kodiak, Seward and Sitka, Alaska.
For more information: Fast Response Cutter Program page