The United States Coast Guard ends 2025 with two big announcements. The multi-mission branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), confirmed last week that it will return to Station Pascagoula, MS, with new assignments in 2026.
The Coast Guard also awarded contracts for its Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) icebreakers, underscoring its continued focus on the Arctic.
Back on in Pascagoula
Coast Guard Station Pascagoula, strategically located on the Gulf Coast, will play a vital role in controlling the southern maritime border, including countering illegal migration and interdicting illicit narcotics trafficking from South America, the service explained.
“Simultaneously, it facilitates commerce vital to economic security by controlling and securing the Port of Pascagoula against both physical and cyber threats, supporting the goal of U.S. maritime dominance,” the USCG added.
The station will go from scheduled mission operations to full response operations.
“After temporarily reducing capabilities at Station Pascagoula in 2023 due to severe workforce shortages, I am pleased to announce the Coast Guard will fully restore the unit’s operational capabilities and readiness in 2026,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “Our strong recruiting performance has made this possible. Station Pascagoula is vital to securing our southern maritime border and supporting the Port of Pascagoula’s $18 billion economic impact. This action directly supports our nation’s security and economic prosperity.”
Rep. Mike Ezell (R.-Miss.), chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, called the station’s return to full operations “outstanding news for South Mississippi, and noted that it will play “a critical role in protecting our maritime border, supporting search and rescue missions, and safeguarding the Port of Pascagoula.”
Ezell added, “I’m grateful to see the Coast Guard fully restoring these operations and ensuring our Coast Guard men and women have the staffing they need to do their jobs. Restoring full operations at Station Pascagoula improves safety for our mariners, strengthens national security, and protects one of Mississippi’s most important economic engines.”
New Contracts for ASC Icebreakers
The USCG also confirmed it awarded two contracts to build up to six ASC icebreakers capable of breaking through and navigating ice-covered waters. The deal between the United States and Finland was seen as a “major step forward for America’s national security,” given the region’s growing importance in the Arctic.
The Coast Guard contracts were awarded on Friday to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy of Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C. of Lockport, Louisiana. They were part of President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s international agreements with Finland and of the investments authorized under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.
“America has been an Arctic nation for over 150 years, and we’re finally acting like it under President Trump. Our adversaries continue to look to grow their presence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime dominance there,” said Secretary Noem. “Revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking capabilities is crucial for our security and prosperity, and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.”
The ASC icebreakers will be employed to secure critical shipping lanes, protect energy and mineral resources, and counter our adversaries’ presence in the Arctic region, the Coast Guard explained.
“These awards represent decisive action to guarantee American security in the Arctic,” added Lunday. “The Arctic Security Cutters will deliver the essential capability to uphold U.S. sovereignty against adversaries’ aggressive economic and military actions in the Arctic. These cutters will ensure the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend our northern border and maritime approaches – without question.”
Under the current contract, Rauma Marine Constructions Oy will build two of the ASCs in Finland, with delivery of the first vessel expected in 2028. The contract with Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C., called for up to four ASCs to be built in the United States, with delivery of the first domestically built cutter expected in 2029. This joint effort will take “immediate advantage” of the Finnish firm’s icebreaker expertise while coordinating the long-term on-shoring of that expertise in the United States, the Coast Guard added.
Force Design 2028
The acquisition of ASC is part of the ongoing modernization of the U.S. Coast Guard through the Force Design 2028 initiative introduced by Noem earlier this year. It calls for transforming the Coast Guard into a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force.
As previously reported, the increased threat in the Arctic comes as the U.S. Coast Guard is also stretched thin. Until this summer, the service operated only two icebreakers, with one regularly deployed in the waters off Antarctica. As a result, this summer, the former oilfield supply ship and icebreaking offshore tug Aiviq was re-commissioned in a ceremony in Juneau, Alaska, as the USCGC Storis (WAGB-21).
It was the first polar icebreaker added to the fleet in 25 years.
One of the three active icebreakers, the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), departed Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, commencing its 29th deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze.
