Two U.S. Coast Guard quick response cutters arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 31, for a scheduled port go to that may embody a number of military-to-military exchanges with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). USCGC Emlen Tunnel (WPC 1145) and USCGC Glen Harris (WPC 1144) arrived in Beirut after a cease final week in Alexandria, Egypt. The vessels are two of the Coast Guard’s latest quick response cutters slated for forward-deployment to Bahrain the place U.S. fifth Fleet is headquartered. Whereas in Beirut, crewmembers will share concepts with LAF counterparts on areas of mutual curiosity similar to maritime safety, counterterrorism, and border safety.

“We’re ushering in a brand new period of strengthening and increasing capability constructing throughout the area,” mentioned Vice Adm. Brad Cooper on the time. Cooper instructions NAVCENT, U.S. fifth Fleet and Mixed Maritime Forces.

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“Having the ability to share our maritime experience strengthens our partnership and regional maritime safety,” mentioned Lt. Reginald Reynolds, commanding officer of Glen Harris. “This continues a rising relationship between U.S. maritime forces and LAF.”

The Sentinel-class cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnel and USCGC Glen Harris are two of the Coast Guard’s latest Sentinel-class quick response cutters slated for forward-deployment to Bahrain the place U.S. fifth Fleet is headquartered. USCGC Emlen Tunnel and USCGC Glen Harris will substitute two of the Coast Guard’s current Island-class patrol boats at present working from Bahrain. The vessels will carry out varied Coast Guard missions which embody however aren’t restricted to PWCS (Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Safety), Protection Operations, Maritime Regulation Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Marine Security, and surroundings safety.

The Sentinel-class cutter, often known as Quick Response Cutter as a result of its program title, is a part of the USA Coast Guard’s Deepwater program. At 154 ft (46.8 m) it’s just like, however bigger than the 123-foot (37 m) lengthened Nineteen Eighties-era Island-class patrol boats that it replaces. As much as 58 vessels are to be constructed by the Louisiana-based agency Bollinger Shipyards, utilizing a design from the Netherlands-based Damen Group, with the Sentinel design primarily based on the corporate’s Damen Stan 4708 patrol vessel. Along with 58 vessels to serve the Continental US and a further six vessels for its portion of Patrol Forces South West Asia.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Emlen Tunnel (WPC 1145) and Glen Harris (WPC 1144) are moored pierside in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 31. Emlen Tunnel and Glen Harris are deployed to the U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations to assist guarantee maritime safety and stability within the Center East area. (U.S. Military photograph by Cpl. DeAndre Dawkins)