The Coast Guard in the News
A New Commandant
Adm. Kevin E. Lunday was sworn in as the 28th Commandant of the Coast Guard in January 2026, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem officiating. A nearly 40-year veteran with command experience across the Indo-Pacific, the Persian Gulf, and cyberspace, Lunday had served as acting commandant since January 2025.
Force Design 2028
The service is moving quickly to invest a roughly $25 billion modernization windfall through its ‘Force Design 2028’ initiative, aimed at decades of deferred investment, aging cutters, and workforce shortages. Funds are flowing toward additional fast response and offshore patrol cutters, Arctic and Polar Security Cutters, new HC-130J surveillance aircraft, and infrastructure — organized around four pillars: people, organization, technology, and acquisition.
Nine Saved in the Bering Sea
In January, a helicopter aircrew from Air Station Cold Bay rescued all nine crew of the crab boat Arctic Sea after it lost power and grounded near St. George Island. Battling roughly 50-knot winds and 10-foot seas, the aircrew hoisted the crew to safety before they had to abandon ship — everyone reached St. Paul with no injuries.
Sources: Military.com; DHS; USNI News; The Maritime Executive, January 2026.