As tensions increase between U.S and China, the U.S has for the first time found itself outgunned in waters near China seas and the tactics of China using its coast guard vessels to harass its neighbors have made it difficult for the U.S navy to counter but maybe, U.S may be able to gain some ground once the coast guard comes in for help, a move that may end up causing some incidents and increase tensions in seas near China like East China sea and South China sea.
The Region commander vice Adm. Linda Fagan said” U.S coast guard is mulling its future in the Asia-pacific region once the National Security Cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL752) completes its current deployment in end November”.
“That is very much an ongoing conversation right now, at this point, Stratton will return in late fall to Alameda calif. I do expect we will have some level of major U.S coast guard deployment to some part of the region but that is very much an ongoing conversation as to how long, where the( operational) relationship with pacific fleet and 7th fleet”, she said.
Fagan added that the coast guard was now also carrying out operation Agia in the pacific islands.
Operation Aiga is a 30- day deployment of a 225-foot Juniper-class buoy tender and the fast response cutter USCGC Joseph Gerczak(WPC 112) to partner with pacific island nations.
“We are doing that as a proof of concept this summer with intention of having a similar deployment for a lengthier time period next summer. Again that is all in the planning and discussion phases as to how long, which partner nations and where”, she said.
Fagan says that the deployment of the U.S coast guard is like fielding new assets which bring with them increased capabilities as she emphasized the commitment in applying such capabilities for the best effect against the threats that are posed against the U.S, the threats in the pacific.
Fagan says ” we will continue to do that and look at how those ships can be employed to ensure that we are doing good stewards of the resources that the American public has trusted with us and provide for national security and safety”.
The U.S is feeling threatened as China continues to roll out different ships capable of blue water navy operations at breakneck speed.
U.S fears that it may lose control over western pacific waters, the area it has been controlling since world war II as China’s navy becomes more powerful and that is why the U.S is making quick plans to try and prevent this from happening.
The risk for the U.S couldn’t be great, the dominance it has had for decades is under threat with the rise of China and if the Chinese navy manages to dominant the South China Seas, East China Sea, it will be a matter of time before U.S navy is pushed away from the pacific.
