National Security Cutter Deployed to Europe:Russian Build-Up

For some weeks now,Russia has been bulking up its forces both in occupied Crimea, Ukraine and along the border of Eastern Ukraine.These forces include combat helicopters.Just what Russian President Vladimir I in Putin has in mind remains uncertain; but NATO is gravely concerned about its Partner Ukraine, with The New York Times reporting the U.S. European Command raising its WATCHCON (Watch Condition) from " possible crisis" to "potentially imminent crisis."This alert level was elevated with the approval of US EUCOM Commander/Supreme Allied Commander Europe GEN Tod Wolters.* The US Coast Guard is sending Legend-class National Security Cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) from Puerto Rico to the European theatre.After escorting two Fast Response Cutters across the Atlantic to their new homeport in Bahrain, the Hamilton will conduct a patrol in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet AOR to maintain maritime security alongside NATO Allies and Partners, the Coast Guard said.* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants NATO to expand its naval presence in the Black Sea Region,he told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a phone call: Such a permanent presence should be a powerful deterrent to Russia, which continues the large-scale militarisation of the region and hinders merchant shipping.In recent weeks,we have seen a very dangerous tendency with an increase in the number of ceasefire violations by the Russian occupying forces and the number of Ukrainian defenders killed (8).* Mr.Zelensky also noted Russia's build-up on Ukraine's borders with forces ready for an offensive.A NATO representative told German media outlet WELT: We remain vigilant and continue monitoring the situation very closely...destabilising measures by Russia undermine all efforts to de-escalate tensions within the ceasefire agreement of July 27,2020, concluded with the participation of the OSCE.The Allies share concerns about Russia's large scale military activities in and around Ukraine.* Indeed, it's been observed that, farther afield, three Russian ballistic missile submarines broke through the ice near the North Pole.Responding to a reporter's question during a briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary RADM John Kirby ,US Navy retired, said that: I think we've been very clear about threats that we see from Russia across domains.You mentioned some maritime issues,some air dimensions.There's certainly cyber threats and we're taking them very, very seriously.* As to EUCOM raising its watch level ,Mr.Kirby observed that: I can't speak to specifics in terms of EUCOM'S watch level,but just process-wise,a WATCHCON basically expresses a combatant commander's concern about a potential threat and the ability to provide potential warnings.So by setting a WATCHCON, basically the commander is better able to identify and track a threat and alert decision-makers.It's a way of improving and increasing a leader's visibility, noting that there's something worth watching-and "watching" is the operative word in there: that's what a WATCHCON is.I can't confirm or speak specifically as to what GEN Wolters did or didn't do with respect to his WATCHCON levels.* A National Security Cutter has an electronic warfare system, including chaff and rapid decoy launchers.It is armed with a MK110 57mm gun;1x20mm Block 1B Baseline 2 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System ;4 .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns;2 M240B 7.62 mm machine guns;and is designed for additional weapons and sensors.As well,its communications are NATO-compatible. The NSC embarks an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter. * Fabrinet Nationale,SA of Belgium owns Browning and Winchester.Its stock symbol is FN. Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc (HII)