Commentary
The USCG operates in the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca off Singapore, and the Gulf of Oman. Apart from interdicting illicit drugs and illegal immigrants, the Coast Guard collaborates with allied coast guards globally to defend U.S. and allied maritime territory against adversary nations’ aggression.
Despite lacking the heavy firepower of the USN, the USCG is at the forefront, navigating where the USN might make too bold a statement. This includes occasional defensive actions against the Chinese and Russian navies.
To counter the recent incident, the USCG dispatched a cutter and HC-130 Hercules surveillance plane to monitor the ships and prevent potential disturbances, such as encroaching into U.S. territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles from shore. Other U.S. Armed Forces assets, including the Air Force or USN, may have also been involved.
Costs for these measures should be shared among allied countries worldwide who benefit, or through imposing tariffs and sanctions on adversary countries that are causing problems in the first place. American citizens should not have to shoulder the entire burden, although we are willing to do our part.
The USCG is accomplishing a great deal with limited resources. USCG sailors are risking their lives in the challenging oceans to safeguard America and our allies. They deserve more than just our gratitude. They deserve the recognition that can only come with increased resources to effectively carry out their duties.
*The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.*
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