U.S. Coast Guard Commissions New National Security Cutter in North Charleston

U.S. Coast Guard Commissions New National Security Cutter in North Charleston

In North Charleston, South Carolina, a considerable crowd gathered on Saturday for the U.S. Coast Guard’s commissioning ceremony of their latest national security cutter, the Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun. The cutter is named after the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Charles Calhoun, representing an addition to the Legend-class national security cutter configurations. This 10th vessel of its kind sets the number of national security cutters homeported in North Charleston to four, alongside Coast Guard Cutters Hamilton, James, and Stone.

The Commissioning Ceremony

The commissioning ritual took place at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in North Charleston, celebrating two years of planning and construction and marking the cutter’s readiness to undertake deployable missions as required by the Coast Guard. Capt. Timothy Sommella, the commanding officer of the Calhoun, praised the ship’s crew of 126 members and spoke on Charles Calhoun’s legacy that inspired the ship and its motto, “Never give up.”

A Historical Tribute

Charles Calhoun, after whose legacy the ship is named, spent his service years in the U.S. Navy during World War II before enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1946. His career embraced 14 years of sea service, including his time spent in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. On August 27, 1969, he was honored as the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. Calhoun’s active service made him a prominent figure for the enlisted personnel; he also played a significant role in bridging the command and enlisted workforce.

Post-Ceremony Events and Future Endeavors

Following the ceremony, attendees joined the crew on board the ship for a reception where they could tour the cutter while learning more about Calhoun’s history and the Coast Guard from the National Coast Guard Museum. An exposition of Calhoun’s uniform was also part of the display. Speaking on the vessel’s operational capacity, Capt. Sommella stated that the Calhoun, now an active part of the Coast Guard fleet, would perform missions both overseas and domestically while staying locally based.

Plans for the cutter involve global deployment to areas ranging from the coast of Charleston to as far as eastern Europe, South America, and the western Pacific. The expansion of the Coast Guard’s Charleston presence implies readiness for growth and preparation for the addition of a fifth Coast Guard cutter in the near future.

Calhoun’s Construction and Design

The construction of the Calhoun began in 2019, and delivery to the Coast Guard was made in October of 2023. Upon completion of missions linked to oil spill response and counter migration, the Calhoun arrived at North Charleston, its homeport, on Dec. 3. This event marked the cutter’s induction to the Coast Guard service, signifying a crucial milestone in the ship’s lifespan.

The Calhoun is one of the Coast Guard’s 418-foot, Legend-class national security cutters, boasting state-of-the-art command and control equipment. It can launch and house multiple small boats and aircraft and is equipped with an advanced engineering plant capable of reaching speeds around 30 mph. The cutter is prepared to handle diverse missions ranging from counterdrug operations, migrant interdiction, living marine resources, to defense readiness in support of Coast Guard operations globally.

Notably, the commissioning ceremony’s date coincided with Charles Calhoun’s birthday, adding a memorable touch to the day’s celebrations. With its integration into the Coast Guard fleet, Calhoun will play a vital role in providing versatile and dynamic support to the organization’s crucial missions.