National Security Cutter Detects Competitors Near Alaska

On 19 September 2022,the US Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL-756),a Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC),spotted three Chinese and four Russian warships in the Bering Sea 86 km/53.4 mi north of Kiska Island,Alaska in the Western Aleutians.The combined surface action group (CSAG) included the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) guided-missile cruiser Renhai (CG101) and a Russian Federation Navy destroyer.Besides the Kimball,a Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak,Alaska provided support for the mission.Immediately the strategic competitors were detected,the Coast Guard assets initiated the 17th Coast Guard District's Operation Frontier Sentinel,which stipulates meeting the presence of strategic competitors with Coast Guard presence.Seeing they were being observed,the CSAG dispersed.The NSC Kimball continued its patrol in accordance with Operation Frontier Sentinel,ensuring that no malign activity took place.* Although Chinese and Russian warships had been seen operating seperately in the district in the past,their operating as a CSAG was a rarity.They remained in international waters,but did enter the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).* The HC-130J is equipped with automated identification and direction finding capabilities;long-range multi-mode radar;electro-optical and infrared sensor turret for imagery and target data;advanced open architecture mission system processor and extensive communications suite.The aircraft is 20% faster and can fly 20% higher than its predecessor,the HC-130H.It has a ceiling of 33,000 ft and a range of 5,000 mi,which is 40% farther than its predecessor.A long-range surveillance aircraft,it provides heavy air transport and long-range patrol capability as well.Indeed,each HC-130J can serve as a command and control and surveillance platform that can detect,classify and identify objects and share intelligence with operational forces such as the NSC.Its computers,cyber,intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) equipment enables extensive mission capabilities.* The Coast Guard considers the National Security Cutter to be an afloat operational level headquarters,handling complex law enforcement and national security missions involving multiple Coast Guard and Partner Agency participation.The NSC has automated weapons systems that can stop a rogue vessel far from shore;a large flight deck;state-of-the-art command and control equipment for interoperability;detection and defence capabilities against chemical,biological and radiological attack;and advanced sensors and other C5ISR equipment for intelligence gathering and sharing,and for enhanced maritime domain awareness.* The Coast Guard christened the 10th NSC on 4 June 2022 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula,Mississippi.Fabrication of the 11th and final NSC began on 11 May 2021 at Ingalls.* Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII),Lockheed Martin (LMT)