24 Oct US Coast Guard commissions fast response cutter stationed in Bahrain
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned the 45th fast response cutter (FRC) – the fourth of six planned to be stationed in Manama, Bahrain.
The Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the US, is Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, and the FRC are being deployed to support its missions to train, organise, support and deploy combat-ready forces.
The cutters are designed for a wide variety of missions, including search and rescue, national defense, ports, waterways and coastal security; fisheries patrol; and drug and migrant interdiction. The Sentinel-class FRCS feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment and improved habitability and seakeeping.
They feature an enhanced response time with a minimum top speed of 28 knots. They’re armed with a stabilised 25-mm machine gun mount and four crew-served .50-caliber machine guns.