Ships/Coast Guard

BRIEFING: The 12 ships in the Hamilton class were commissioned in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and several saw extensive combat duty in Vietnam. The class underwent a fleet rehabilitation and modernization (FRAM) from 1985 through 1992, receiving upgrades to radars and other sensors, fire control systems, weapons, and helicopter flight-deck facilities. Their high-endurance capabilities enable them to conduct long-range operations and to serve as command platforms in support of a variety of missions, particularly maritime security-which includes drug interdiction, illegal immigrant interception, and fisheries enforcement. On occasion these ships have deployed as units of Navy carrier battle groups.

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Hamilton Class

MEDIUM-ENDURANCE CUTTERS

BRIEFING: The 13 Famous-class and 14 Reliance-class cutters form the two primary classes of medium-endurance cutters (WMECs). Two older unique WMECs, Storis and Acushnet, are based in Alaska. An additional WMEC was added in 1999 when a former Navy salvage ship was commissioned Alex Haley, also based in Alaska. Like the WHECs, these cutters support a variety of missions. The Famous-class cutters, which began entering service in 1983, are equipped with a shipboard command and control system (SCCS-270) that permits maximum operational effectiveness with reduced crews. They also are fitted with a modern weapons and sensor suite and can support and hangar one HH-65, HH-60, or MH-68 helicopter. These ships also can land Navy SH60B LAMPS III helicopters. The 14 Reliance-class cutters do not have hangars but each can support one HH-65 or MH-668 helicopter. All ships of the Reliance class have completed mid-life maintenance availability to upgrade machinery and equipment. Alex Haley-originally commissioned in 1971 as USS Edenton (ATS 1)-was converted to a WMEC by Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, Md. Budget constraints forced the decommissioning of two Reliance-class cutters in 2001: Courageous (WMEC 622) and Durable (WMEC 628).