S.Hrg.119-335

1[Senate Hearing 119-335]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-33556                 NOMINATION OF ADMIRAL KEVIN E. LUNDAY,7                       NOMINEE TO BE COMMANDANT,8                       UNITED STATES COAST GUARD910=======================================================================1112                                HEARING1314                               before the1516                         COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,17                      SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION18                          UNITED STATES SENATE1920                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2122                             FIRST SESSION2324                               __________2526                           NOVEMBER 19, 20252728                               __________2930Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation3132                  [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3334                  Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov3536                              ______3738                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE394063-118 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20264142       SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION4344                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS4546                             FIRST SESSION4748                       TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman49JOHN THUNE, South Dakota             MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,50ROGER WICKER, Mississippi                Ranking51DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota52JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii53DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts54MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee          GARY PETERS, Michigan55TODD YOUNG, Indiana                  TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin56TED BUDD, North Carolina             TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois57ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri               JACKY ROSEN, Nevada58JOHN CURTIS, Utah                    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico59BERNIE MORENO, Ohio                  JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado60TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania61SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  ANDY KIM, New Jersey62CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming              LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware63                 Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director64           Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director65                   Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director66                 Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director6768                            C O N T E N T S6970                              ----------71                                                                   Page72Hearing held on November 19, 2025................................     173Statement of Senator Cruz........................................     174Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................     275Statement of Senator Klobuchar...................................    2776Statement of Senator Wicker......................................    2977Statement of Senator Baldwin.....................................    3178Statement of Senator Sullivan....................................    3279Statement of Senator Kim.........................................    3580Statement of Senator Budd........................................    3681Statement of Senator Blunt Rochester.............................    4082Statement of Senator Markey......................................    4283Statement of Senator Peters......................................    4384    Letter dated November 14, 2025 to Hon. Gary C. Peters from85      Christopher Jones, Chief of Police, Harbormaster, Ludington86      Police Department..........................................    4587    Letter dated November 14, 2025 to Hon. Gary Peters from88      Michael J. Poulin, Sheriff, Muskegon County, President,89      Michigan Sheriff's Association.............................    4690    Letter dated November 16, 2025 to Hon. Gary C. Peters from91      Kurt Corradi, Fire Chief, Bay City Department of Public92      Safety; Michael Galloner, Fire Chief, Bangor Township Fire93      Department; Brandon Hausbeck, Fire Chief, Saginaw Fire94      Department; and Steve Berneuter, Fire Chief, Kawkawlin95      Township Fire Department...................................    4896    Letter dated November 17, 2025 to Senator Gary Peters from97      Joshua J. Mills, City Superintendent, City of Frankfort....    5298    Letter dated November 18, 2025 to Hon. Gary Peters from James99      H. I. Weakley, President, Lake Carriers' Association.......    55100    Letter dated November 19, 2025 to Hon. Gary C. Peters from101      Justin L. Westmiller, PEM, Director, Homeland Security &102      Emergency Management, St. Clair County.....................    56103    Letter dated November 20, 2025 to Hon. Gary Peters from104      Rebecca Hubers, Benzie County Office of Emergency105      Management and Sheriff Kyle Rosa, Benzie County Sheriff's106      Office.....................................................    59107    Letter dated November 24, 2025 to Chairman Cruz and Ranking108      Member Cantwell from K. Denise Rucker Krepp, Coast Guard109      veteran and former Maritime Administration Chief Counsel;110      Kelly A. Sullivan, CDR (Ret.), U.S. Coast Guard Academy111      Class of 1985; Melissa K. McCafferty, LT (Ret.), U.S. Coast112      Guard Academy Class of 2011; Caitlin E. Maro, U.S. Coast113      Guard Academy Class of 2008; Shawna Ward, Chief Warrant114      Officer 4 (Ret.), Coast Guard; and Kristina Slivinski, U.S.115      Coast Guard Academy Class of 2009..........................    81116Statement of Senator Lujan.......................................    63117118                               Witnesses119120Hon. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator from South Carolina............     4121Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Nominee to be Commandant, United States122  Coast Guard....................................................     4123    Prepared statement...........................................     6124    Biographical information.....................................     7125126                                Appendix127128Response to written questions submitted to Admiral Kevin E.129  Lunday by:130    Hon. John Thune..............................................    67131    Hon. Jerry Moran.............................................    67132    Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................    68133    Hon. Todd Young..............................................    70134    Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................    71135    Hon. Brian Schatz............................................    74136    Hon. Gary Peters.............................................    81137    Hon. Tammy Baldwin...........................................    89138    Hon. Tammy Duckworth.........................................    90139    Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................    92140    Hon. John Fetterman..........................................    93141    Hon. Andy Kim................................................    94142143                 NOMINATION OF ADMIRAL KEVIN E. LUNDAY,144                       NOMINEE TO BE COMMANDANT,145                       UNITED STATES COAST GUARD146147                              ----------148149                      WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025150151                                       U.S. Senate,152        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,153                                                    Washington, DC.154    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11 a.m., in room155SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz, Chairman156of the Committee, presiding.157    Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Wicker, Sullivan,158Young, Budd, Schmitt, Curtis, Sheehy, Capito, Lummis, Cantwell,159Klobuchar, Markey, Peters, Baldwin, Lujan, Fetterman, Kim, and160Blunt Rochester.161    Also present: Senator Graham.162163              OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,164                    U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS165166    The Chairman. Good morning. The Senate Committee on167Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order.168    Semper Peratus--``Always Prepared''--that is the motto and169sworn mission of the United States Coast Guard. Unfortunately,170insufficient financial support over the years has left the171Coast Guard without all of the equipment needed to stay172prepared. Facilities are moldy, including needing water.173    Senator Graham. He loves the Coast Guard. He's very174emotional about this.175    [Laughter.]176    Voice. Amen.177    The Chairman. Texas has a lot of coast, and we do love our178Coast Guardsmen. Facilities are moldy and decrepit. Technology179to thwart drug cartels and human traffickers is outdated. The180United States has only three aging polar icebreakers, whereas181China has four and Russia has more than 40. Earlier this year,182however, our committee and the Trump administration took a183momentous step toward changing that. The One Big Beautiful Bill184Act made an historic $24.6 billion investment in the Coast185Guard. It was the single largest appropriation in Coast Guard186history. It includes funds to acquire at least five polar187icebreakers, 40 helicopters, and nine patrol cutters. It188unleashes $4 billion for improving shore facilities, like the189bootcamp barracks, multi-use training centers, and the Coast190Guard Yard. Put simply, it funds the Coast Guard of the future.191The Coast Guard needs leadership to implement this investment.192It needs a Commandant who will reinvigorate efforts to protect193and patrol America's waters. That's precisely why I'm so glad194that President Trump has nominated Admiral Kevin Lunday.195    Since January, Admiral Lunday has served as the Acting196Commandant of the Coast Guard. In this role, he has197exceptionally managed long-overdue surges of Coast Guard198resources to the Gulf Coast and the Pacific to interdict drug199runners and human traffickers, while also balancing the200Service's many other directives. In Fiscal Year 2025 alone, the201Coast Guard seized nearly 510,000 pounds of cocaine, by far the202largest haul in its history and 3 times its annual average.203That's the equivalent of 193 million lethal doses, more than204enough to poison half of the United States' population. Just205since August, the Coast Guard's newly launched Pacific Viper206has netted 100,000 pounds. These results show that the Coast207Guard is dismantling narco-terrorist networks before they even208reach American shores. As Admiral Lunday has put it, ``We own209the sea.''210    Along with partner agencies, the Service is better securing211our border. It recently launched Operation River Wall along the212Rio Grande, deploying watercraft and tactical teams to help213deter and defeat illegal immigration, smuggling, and other214national security threats. I have every confidence that this215good work will continue under Admiral Lunday. A graduate of the216Coast Guard Academy, he has served his country for close to 4217decades, leading the Coast Guard's Cyber Command, Oceana218District, and the entire Atlantic area, including all U.S.219waterways east of the Rocky Mountains. Now I look forward to220his leadership of the Coast Guard as Commandant, and I221recognize Ranking Member Cantwell.222223               STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,224                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON225226    Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral Lunday,227congratulations on your nomination to serve as the Commandant228of the U.S. Coast Guard. If confirmed, you will continue to229lead a force of 41,000 active duty and 7,000 reserve and nearly23010,000 civilian employees as they fulfill this core mission of231service, providing maritime security, law enforcement,232fisheries enforcement, icebreaking capacity, and prevention and233response activities for the largest system of ports, waterways,234and coast in the world.235    For nearly two-and-a-half centuries, the Coast Guard has236answered the call through hurricanes, oil spills, search and237rescue missions, and national emergencies. From the icy waters238of the Arctic to the ports of Puget Sound, Coasties keep239America safe, protect our environment, and keep commerce240moving, but the Coast Guard is not without its challenges,241especially at this moment, and I'll have many questions for242you, Admiral Lunday, about how you plan to address those243challenges. Unlike your predecessor, you've been serving as244Acting Commandant for nearly 10 months, so you've been in a245room--in the room, I should say--already making decisions that246directly impact the Coast Guard's future.247    First, I have serious concerns about whether the Coast248Guard is pulling back from its core mission of search and249rescue. There are 23 vacant search-and-rescue stations with250zero permanent staffing or assets. Even more concerning, the251Coast Guard informed the Committee that there is no plan to252reopen these stations, and there are reports of phased plans to253shutter even more stations amid rumors about potentially254privatizing search and rescue. While none of the current255closures impact the State of Washington, our fishermen are256impacted when they are crabbing off of Coos Bay or North Bend,257Oregon, and they find Coast Guard small boat air rescue258stations shuttered. The Dungeness crab industry is one of the259most dangerous fisheries in the Nation, and they rely on the260Coast Guard. Admiral Lunday, I expect you to provide clarity on261that issue.262    I also expect you to address morale issues. I'm hearing at263the Service. We need to make sure that--in the backdrop of the264firing of Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan, 18 months after--18265months before the end of her Senate-confirmed term. That's266never happened. Days later, Admiral Fagan was evicted from her267home, and at the same time, I think this is an appalling way to268treat a top military officer who served the country with269distinction, and it's not a responsible way to govern. It sends270a clear message throughout the ranks that professional271independence can be overridden by political preferences.272Meanwhile, there are still serious questions about resources.273Last month, the Coast Guard purchased two luxury executive274aircraft for more than $172 million using funds intended for275those search-and-rescue missions, particularly the C-130s. So,276Admiral Lunday, I expect to ask about that particular issue277this morning as well.278    The Coast Guard plays an important role in assessing279impacts like the I-5 bridge and what impact it would have on280military and maritime traffic, and completing a preliminary281assessment is necessary for the Department of Transportation to282finish its environmental review. So, I expect the Coast Guard283to complete that assessment promptly so we can get closer to284replacing this bridge that's 108 years old. I also expect the285Coast Guard to address the urgent issues at Station Cape286Disappointment, a critical Coast Guard unit in the Pacific287Northwest, and vital training for our coastal surfmen. These288include emergency damage and chilling that has occurred at the289base. We need a comprehensive strategy to invest in Cape290Disappointment to ensure that it can continue to do its search-291and-rescue mission.292    And I would like to return to the Operation Fouled Anchor,293the Coast Guard's decades-long mishandling of the sexual294conduct cases at the Coast Guard Academy. As chair of this295committee, I worked with Senators Baldwin and Cruz and Sullivan296to initiate a DHS Inspector General investigation into the297Coast Guard coverup. It's been 2 years, and I'm still waiting298for the results. I expect the inspector general to finish this299work without delay and for the Coast Guard to fully cooperate300with the investigation. Rest assured that we'll continue to301hold the Coast Guard accountable on these issues. The Committee302worked together to draft commonsense legislation, and the303Senate's Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 would expand304Coast Guard authorities and programs to hold perpetrators305accountable, enhance investigations and the legal process to306improve victim recovery services and access to all, including307the boosting of training. So, I'll look forward to hearing308about how we improve the accountability there, Admiral, and309your leadership on that particular issue. Again,310congratulations on your nomination.311    The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Cantwell. I would now312recognize our friend and colleague from the great State of313South Carolina, Senator Graham, and I would note that I expect314you to get as choked up and emotional about the Coast Guard as315I get.316317               STATEMENT OF HON. LINDSEY GRAHAM,318                U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA319320    Senator Graham. Well, I'm very excited about the Coast321Guard. We have a plan apparently to move the entire Coast Guard322to South Carolina, and I want to----323    The Chairman. Your time has expired.324    [Laughter.]325    Senator Graham. I don't think that probably helps you here,326but the reason I'm here is I've known Admiral Lunday for a327while, and he was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and to both328of you, Chair and Ranking Member, I appreciate acknowledging329the role the Coast Guard plays. It's the mighty, mighty Coast330Guard, and we are the Commerce Committee, and without the Coast331Guard, we'd be less safe and less prosperous. Admiral Lunday332and his lovely wife, LyndaLee, are here. They've dedicated 39333years of service to the United States Coast Guard. He's a334graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with honors, the335National War College, the Naval War College, and George336Washington University Law School.337    One thing I want to highlight, he's the first Judge338Advocate in the history of Coast Guard to be Commandant, and I339think now's a good time for that expertise. I served as a Judge340Advocate in the Air Force, and his experience--he's a341cybersecurity expert. He has commanded forces all over the342world in the Coast Guard. He has been the Commandant for the343last 10 months. These are dangerous times in which we all live.344I think he has got the expertise, the academic background, and345the character and the judgment to continue to lead the Coast346Guard. I would urge you to continue making him the Commandant.347I think he has earned that distinction. His record is348unblemished. He understands the men and women in the Coast349Guard, because he has lived his life in their ranks. He has350been all over the world in the service of our Nation, and I351just can't recommend him to you more highly.352    We're proud of the fact that he started his life in South353Carolina and he has risen in the ranks as a Judge Advocate all354the way to the top, and that is something to be proud of. So, I355wish you and your wife all the best, and I know that if you're356the Commandant of the Coast Guard, continuing in that role,357America will be safe and prosperous. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.358Thank you all.359    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Graham. I now recognize360Admiral Lunday for his opening statement.361362STATEMENT OF ADMIRAL KEVIN E. LUNDAY, NOMINEE TO BE COMMANDANT,363                   UNITED STATES COAST GUARD364365    Admiral Lunday. Senator Graham, thank you very much for the366introduction, sir. Good morning, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member367Cantwell, Chairman Sullivan, Ranking Member Blunt Rochester,368distinguished members of the Committee. I'm honored to appear369before you here today. I'm thankful to President Trump and370Secretary Noem for their trust and confidence to nominate me as371the next Commandant on the Coast Guard, subject to the Senate's372confirmation, and I thank the Committee for your enduring373support for our service. If confirmed, I look forward to374working closely with the Committee and with the rest of375Congress.376    I also want to thank the team that helped prepare me for377today. The most important part of that team is right here with378me today, my wife, LyndaLee. I am blessed by our 36 years of379marriage and her enduring love and support that has enabled me380to continue to serve an active career in the United States381Coast Guard. She's a proud military spouse and a champion for382Coast Guard and Joint Force family readiness. Across the many383dynamic challenges of Coast Guard life, she's also maintained384her own professional career as a gifted speech-language385pathologist. She is remarkable, and I would not be here today386without her.387    I'm from a family of military service. My dad was a career388Army soldier, of Army infantry and special forces, who rose389from private to colonel. He fought in Vietnam and the Cold War390and commanded troops in combat in crisis. My mom was an officer391in the Army Medical Corps before becoming a full-time mom and392military spouse to raise three sons. My parents taught me my393values and instilled in me my faith in God. They set the394example that's guided me throughout my life and inspired me to395join the armed forces.396    Now, I joined the Coast Guard because I wanted to fight the397spread of communism and the Soviet Union, to stop drug398smugglers at sea, and to save lives. I was drawn to the399Service's proud history of fighting in every one of our400Nation's wars. Over the past nearly 39 years, I've served with401crews and led them throughout the Atlantic and Pacific regions402and in cyberspace. Now, while the missions have been rewarding,403I've found the most joy serving as part of a Coast Guard crew404alongside men and women who share the same values as me and who405are, without question, the very best in the world at what they406do. I'm fiercely proud to serve with them and inspired every407day by their unwavering dedication and courage.408    Today, as threats and challenges facing our Nation grow, I409believe the American people need a stronger and more capable410Coast Guard today more than ever. For the past 10 months, as411the Acting Commandant, I've led the Coast Guard to achieve full412operational control of our border by controlling, securing, and413defending our border and maritime approaches; to facilitate414commerce that's vital to our economic prosperity and strategic415mobility by ensuring the safety and security of that commerce416in physical and in cyberspace; and third, by ensuring the Coast417Guard is ready to respond to a crisis or contingency that comes418with little or no warning. And I prioritize taking care of our419people, our most precious resource, because service readiness420starts with the readiness of every Coast Guard man and woman421and their families. And to that end, we've continued to work422hard to improve access to quality healthcare and housing and423childcare, and strengthened our Ombudsman Program.424    At the same time, I led the early implementation of one of425the most sweeping transformation and modernization efforts for426the Coast Guard in the last century. The Secretary of Homeland427Security has directed me to transform the Coast Guard into a428more agile, responsive, and capable fighting force through429Force Design 2028. This bold plan drives rapid innovation,430delivers new capabilities at speed and scale, and grows the431Coast Guard by 15,000 military personnel. This transformation432is coupled with a historic capital investment of $24.6 billion433through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that will rapidly434deliver new cutters, boats, aircraft, shore infrastructure, and435technology. This downpayment is the first step to ensure the436Coast Guard remains always ready. If confirmed, I'll lead the437Service forward, under the direction of the Secretary and the438President and with the strong support of Congress, to ensure we439continue to deliver the best value to the American people.440    I'm filled with hope for the future of our Coast Guard441because no matter the challenges ahead, we will prevail. If442there's one thing I know and our Service history proves, with a443ready Coast Guard crew and the strong support of the American444people, there is nothing we can't accomplish. Thank you for the445opportunity to appear before you today, and I look forward to446your questions.447    [The prepared statement and biographical information of448Admiral Lunday follow:]449450   Prepared Statement of Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, U.S. Coast Guard,451Nominee to be the Twenty-Eighth (28th) Commandant of the United States452                              Coast Guard453    Good morning, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and454distinguished members of the Committee. I'm honored to appear before455you today.456    I am thankful to President Trump and Secretary Noem for their trust457and confidence in me to serve as Commandant, subject to confirmation by458the Senate.459    I thank the Committee for your enduring support of our Service.460    If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with you and other461members of Congress. I also thank the team that helped prepare me for462today's hearing.463    The most important member of that team is right here with me464today--my wife LyndaLee. I am blessed by our 36 years of marriage and465her amazing love and support that enables me to continue to serve. She466is a proud military spouse who has supported and championed Coast Guard467and joint force families and their readiness. Across many dynamic468challenges of Coast Guard life, LyndaLee has also excelled in her own469professional career as a gifted speech-language pathologist. She is470remarkable, and I would not be here today without her.471    I am from a family of military service. My dad was a soldier, a 36-472year career Army officer of Infantry and Special Forces who rose from473Private to Colonel, who fought in Vietnam and the Cold War and led474troops in combat and crisis. My mom served as an officer in the Army475Medical Corps before becoming a full-time mom to raise three sons as a476military spouse. My parents taught me my values and instilled my faith477in God. They set the example that has guided me throughout my life and478inspired me to serve in the Armed Forces.479    I joined the Coast Guard because I wanted to help fight the Soviet480Union and the spread of communism, to stop drug smugglers at sea, and481to save lives. I was drawn to the Service's broad missions and proud482history of fighting in every one of the Nation's wars.483    Over the past nearly 39 years, I have served with and led crews484throughout the Atlantic and the Pacific, and in cyberspace. While the485missions have been rewarding, I found even more joy serving as a member486of a Coast Guard crew, alongside other men and women with the same487values and who are--without question--the very best in the world. I am488fiercely proud to serve with them and inspired every day by their489unwavering dedication and courage to get the mission done.490    Today, as threats and challenges facing our Nation grow, I believe491the American people need a stronger and more capable Coast Guard.492    For the past nine months, I have led the Coast Guard as Acting493Commandant to:494495   Control, secure, and defend the U.S. border and maritime496        approaches;497498   Facilitate and secure commerce that is vital to economic499        prosperity, strategic mobility, and America's maritime500        dominance; and501502   Ensure the Service is ready to successfully respond to a503        crisis or contingency that may come without warning.504505    I have prioritized taking care of our people, because the readiness506of the Service begins with the readiness of every Coast Guard man and507woman, and their families. To that end, I have improved housing508availability and quality, increased access to medical care, and509strengthened our ombudsman program.510    At the same time, I led the early implementation of the most511significant modernization and recapitalization of the Coast Guard in at512least a century.513    The Secretary of Homeland Security has directed me to transform the514Service into a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force515through Force Design 2028. This bold plan drives rapid innovation,516delivers new capabilities at speed and scale, and grows the Coast Guard517by 15,000 military personnel.518    This transformation is coupled with the historic capital investment519of 24.6 billion dollars through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This520funding allows the Coast Guard to rapidly deliver new cutters,521aircraft, shore infrastructure, and technology. This down payment is522the first step to ensure the Coast Guard is Semper Paratus--Always523Ready.524    If confirmed, I will lead the Service forward under the direction525of the Secretary and the President, and with the strong support and526oversight of Congress, to ensure we continue to deliver the best value527to our great Nation.528    I'm filled with hope for the future of the Coast Guard because no529matter the challenges ahead, we will prevail.530    If there is one thing I know--and our Service history proves--with531a ready Coast Guard crew and the strong support of the American people,532there is nothing we can't accomplish.533    Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look534forward to your questions.535                                 ______536537                      a. biographical information538    1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Kevin Eugene539Lunday.540    2. Position to which nominated: Coast Guard Nominee to be541Commandant and to the grade of Admiral per 14 U.S.C. Sec. 302.542    3. Date of Nomination: 22 October 2025.543    4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):544545        Residence: Information not released to the public.546        Office: Information not provided.547548    5. Date and Place of Birth: Information not provided.549    6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your550spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including551stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).552553        My spouse, Lynda Lee Lunday, is employed as a part-time554        professional speech-language pathologist at the following555        company:556557        My spouse provides speech-language pathology services for558        patients in home-health settings in Virginia. She is licensed559        to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Hawai'i.560561        I have no children.562563    7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not564you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the565institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of566the degree.567568        Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (1987); U.S. Coast569        Guard Academy570571        Certificate (Diploma) (1994); U.S. Naval War College, College572        of Command and Staff573574        Juris Doctor (1997); George Washington University Law School575576        Master of Science in National Security Strategy (2008);577        National War College578579    8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,580name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all581management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to582the position for which you are nominated.583    I have served as a Coast Guard officer since 5/27/1987. Please see584my official Coast Guard biography and chronology of work history for585detailed information586    9. Attach a copy of your resume.587    My official Coast Guard biography and chronology of work history588are attached.589    10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time590service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other591than those listed above after 18 years of age. None.592    11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,593partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any594corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,595educational, or other institution.596597        Member, Advisory Committee to the Standing Committee on Law and598        National Security of the American Bar Association (August 2015-599        July 2017).600601        Special Advisor to the Standing Committee on Law and National602        Security of the American Bar Association (September 2021-April603        2022).604605    12. Please list each membership you have had after 18 years of age606or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,607political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously608affiliated organization, private club, or other membership609organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your610religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or611institution). Include dates of membership and any positions you have612held with any organization. Please note whether any such club or613organization restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color,614religion, national origin, age, or disability.615616        Virginia State Bar (2005 to present)617618        Arizona State Bar (2022 to present)619620        Maryland State Bar (1997-2006)621622        Maritime Law Association of the U.S. (1998 to present)623624        American Bar Association (2005 to present)625626        National Naval Officers Association (2009-2010, 2013, 2015,627        2017 to present)628629        National War College Alumni Association (2008 to present)630631        U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association (1983 to present)632633        U.S. Naval Institute (1983 to present)634635        Military Officers Association of America (1989 to present)636637        Army and Navy Club (Washington, DC) (2013-2015)638639        Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA)640        (2014 to present)641642        International Association of Privacy Professionals (2021 to643        present)644645    None of these organizations restricts membership on the basis of646sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.647    13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office648(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any649campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are650personally liable for that debt. No.651    14. List all memberships and offices held with and services652rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or653election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid654position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether655compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,656identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year657of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.658    15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign659organization, political party, political action committee, or similar660entity of $200 or more for the past ten years. None.661    16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary662society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition663for outstanding service or achievements.664Military medals:665        U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (2)666667        Defense Superior Service Medal668669        Legion of Merit (4)670671        Meritorious Service Medal (3)672673        U.S. Coast Guard Commendation Medal (4)674675        U.S. Coast Guard Achievement Medal (2)676Honors:677        Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard (2023)678679        Honorary Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard (2011)680681        Distinguished Graduate, National War College (2008)682683        National Military Intelligence Association Sherman Kent684        Strategic Intelligence Writing Award (2008)685686        American Bar Association Outstanding Military Service Career687        Judge Advocate Award (2005)688689        Director of Central Intelligence National Intelligence690        Certificate of Distinction (2004)691692        Order of the Coif, George Washington University Law School693        (1997)694695    17. List each book, article, column, letter to the editor, Internet696blog posting, or other publication you have authored, individually or697with others. Include a link to each publication when possible. If a698link is not available, provide a digital copy of the publication when699available.700701        ``The Arctic: Shrinking Ice, Growing Importance,'' American Bar702        Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security703        Anthology--60 Years of National Security Law (Co-author)704        (December 5, 2022), https://www.american705        bar.org/groups/law_national_security/publications/aba-standing-706        committee-on-law-and-national-security-60-th-anniversary-an-707        anthology/the-arctic-shrinking-ice-growing-importance/708709        Chapter 5--International Norms, The Cybersecurity Handbook (3rd710        Ed.), American Bar Association (Co-author) (March711        2022)(attached)712713        ``Vaccinate the Pacific!'' Security Nexus, Daniel K. Inouye714        Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (September715        2021)(attached)716717        ``Cybersecurity is Operational Readiness,'' AFCEA Signal718        Magazine (October 17, 2017), Cybersecurity Is Operational719        Readiness | AFCEA International720721        Chapter--``Homeland Security, The Need for Essential Change:722        Four Models of Decision For Improved Governance and a Resilient723        Nation,'' Government, Process, and Structure Project. American724        Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security725        (January 15, 2017)(attached)726727        ``The Coastal Seaspace Patrol Sector Design and Allocation728        Problem,'' Computational Management Science (Co-author)729        (September 2012) https://www.research730        gate.net/publication/731        257492741_The_coastal_seaspace_patrol_sector_design_and732        _allocation_problem733734        ``Corporate Responsibility in Cybersecurity: Building735        International Global Standards,'' Georgetown Journal of736        International Affairs (Spring 2011)(Co-author)(attached)737738        ``Maritime Domain Awareness,'' U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of739        the Marine Safety and Security Council (Co-author) (Summer740        2009)(attached)741742        ``Coast Guard International Training,'' U.S. Coast Guard743        Proceedings of the Marine Safety and Security Council (Co-744        author) (Summer 2009)(attached)745746        ``Due Process is a Strategic Choice: Legitimacy and the747        Establishment of an Article III National Security Court,''748        California Western International Law Journal (Co-author) (Fall749        2008) https://scholarlycommons.law.cwsl.edu/cgi/view750        content.cgi?article=1093&context=cwilj751752        ``Repeal the 16 Pound Sledgehammer,'' U.S. Naval Institute753        PROCEEDINGS (February 2007) https://www.usni.org/magazines/754        proceedings/2007/february/repeal-16-pound-sledgehammer755756        ``Every Coast Guardsman is a Lifesaver,'' U.S. Naval Institute757        PROCEEDINGS (June 2000) https://www.usni.org/magazines/758        proceedings/2000/june/every-coast-guardsman-lifesaver759760        ``Where is Courage?'' U.S. Naval Institute PROCEEDINGS761        (December 1998) https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/762        1998/december/where-courage763764        ``Using Financial Markets to Protect the Environment: U.S.765        Coast Guard Leads Modern Approach,'' University of San766        Francisco Maritime Law Journal (Co-author) (Summer 1998)767        (attached)768769        ``The Coast Guard Must Bridge the Gap,'' U.S. Naval Institute770        PROCEEDINGS (June 1997) (attached)771772        ``Permitting Media Participation in Federal Searches: Exploring773        the Consequences for the United States Following Ayeni v.774        Mottola and a Framework for Analysis,'' George Washington775        University Law Review. (January 1997) (attached)776777        ``Applying the Discretionary Function Exception,'' George778        Washington University Law Review. (June/August 1996) (attached)779780    18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,781PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for782which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when783possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the784speech or presentation when available.785786        Remarks at Coast Guard Foundation Dinner, Anchorage, AK.787        (August 12, 2025). (I do not have a link or digital copy).788789        Remarks at Commissioning of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter EARL790        WARREN, Kodiak, AK. (August 11, 2025). (I do not have a link or791        digital copy).792793        Remarks at Commissioning of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter STORIS,794        Juneau, AK. (August 10, 2025). DVIDS--Video--Coast Guard Cutter795        Storis commissioning ceremony796797        Remarks at Annual Memorial Ceremony, Grand Haven Coast Guard798        Festival, Grand Haven, MI. (August 1, 2025). (I do not have a799        link or digital copy).800801        Remarks at Coast Guard Foundation Dinner, Washington, D.C.802        (June 10, 2025). (I do not have a link or digital copy).803804        Remarks at Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS)805        Survivors Seminar Dinner, Washington, DC. (May 25, 2025). (I do806        not have a link or digital copy).807808        Remarks at U.S. Coast Guard Academy Graduation, New London, CT.809        (May 21, 2025). Coast Guard Academy Class of 2025 Commencement810811        Remarks to Council on Foreign Relations Service Chiefs Panel,812        Washington, DC. (May 19, 2025). Robert B. McKeon Endowed Series813        on Military Strategy and Leadership | Council on Foreign814        Relations815816        Remarks to Dredging Contractors of America, Washington, DC.817        (April 30, 2025). (I do not have a link or digital copy).818819        Panelist, ``Navigating Tomorrow: Forging a New Era in820        Innovation and Shipbuilding,'' U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space821        Symposium, Washington, DC. (April 8, 2025). (I do not have a822        link or digital copy).823824        Remarks to Coast Guard National Museum Association Dinner,825        Washington, DC. (April 2, 2025). (I do not have a link or826        digital copy).827828        Panelist, ``Reinvigorating the Maritime Industrial Base,'' U.S.829        Navy League America's Future Fleet symposium, Arlington, VA.830        (December 3, 2004). (I do not have a link or digital copy).831832        Remarks at National Coast Guard Museum Event, New London, CT.833        (October 29, 2024) (I do not have a link or digital copy).834835        Remarks at Connecticut Global Security Forum, Hartford, CT.836        (September 20, 2024). (I do not have a link or digital copy).837838        ``Navigating Global Challenges: A Conversation with Vice839        Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard,'' Brookings, Washington,840        DC. (August 8, 2024).841842        Navigating global challenges: A conversation with Vice843        Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Lunday | Brookings844845        Panelist, ``Building and Sustaining the Arctic846        Infrastructure,'' U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space Symposium.847        Washington, DC. (April 8, 2024)(Building and Sustaining the848        Arctic Infrastructure | Sea-Air-Space 2024 (youtube.com)).849850        Interview, U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space Symposium.851        Washington, DC. (April 8, 2024)(DVIDS--Video--Coast Guard852        Atlantic Area and Defense Force East commander, speaks at the853        Sea Air and Space conference 2024 (dvidshub.net)).854855        Remarks at the 32nd Annual Salute to the Coast Guard Dinner.856        Tampa, Florida. (January 29, 2024)(attached).857858        Remarks at USCGC BLACKTHORN memorial ceremonial on 44th859        anniversary. St. Petersburg, Florida. (January 28,860        2024)(attached).861862        Panelist, ``Arctic Security, Climate Change, and the Law of the863        Sea,'' American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and864        National Security Annual Review. Washington, DC. (November 17,865        2023) (attached).866867        Address to Veterans Day event and dedication of the Military868        and Veterans Center in honor of CAPT Dorothy Stratton, USCG at869        Purdue University.870871        West Lafayette, Indiana. (November 10, 2023)(attached).872873        Remarks at Interagency Drug Offload Event for USCGC JAMES. Fort874        Lauderdale, Florida. (October 26, 2023) (I do not have a link875        or digital copy).876877        Speech at Moline, Illinois Rotary Club. Moline, Illinois.878        (October 23, 2023) (I do not have a link or digital copy).879880        Address to New York City Bar Association. New York, New York.881        (October 10, 2023) (I do not have a link or digital copy).882883        Address to Business Executives for National Security. New York,884        New York. (October 10, 2023) (I do not have a link or digital885        copy).886887        Address to U.S. Sea Services Ombudsman Appreciation Dinner.888        Virginia Beach, Virginia. (September 14, 2023) (I do not have a889        link or digital copy).890891        Address to U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association892        National Convention. Charlotte, North Carolina. (August 30,893        2023) (I do not have a link or digital copy).894895        Address to Annual Coast Guard Memorial Ceremony, Grand Haven896        Coast Guard Festival. Grand Haven, Michigan. (August 5, 2023)897        (I do not have a link or digital copy).898899        Speech at Memorial Day Commemoration at Brookwood American900        Cemetery, United Kingdom. (May 28, 2023) (I do not have a link901        or digital copy).902903        Speech at Memorial Day Commemoration at Cambridge American904        Cemetery, United Kingdom. (May 27, 2023) (I do not have a link905        or digital copy).906907        Panelist, ``Open Source Intelligence in the Homeland Security908        Enterprise,'' National Intelligence University. Washington, DC.909        (May 9, 2023) (I do not have a link or digital copy).910911        Panelist, ``Artificial Intelligence: Building Trust in912        Artificial Intelligence,'' U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space913        Symposium. Washington, DC. (April 4, 2023) (Building Trust in914        Artificial Intelligence | Sea-Air-Space 2023 (youtube.com)).915916        Remarks to Council on Foreign Relations Small Group, ``Maritime917        Cyber Security.'' New York, New York. (March 28, 2023) (I do918        not have a link or digital copy).919920        Panelist, ``Resourcing Challenges: Do the Sea Services Have the921        Resources They Need to Meet the Challenges of Today and922        Tomorrow.'' U.S. Naval Institute/AFCEA WEST Conference, San923        Diego, California. (February 16, 2023) (02.16.23 Panel: Do Sea924        Services Have Resources Needed to Meet the Challenges of Today925        and Tomorrow? (youtube.com)).926927        Panelist, ``Deterring Russia at Sea in the High North.'' Wilson928        Center and Center for Maritime Strategy. Washington, DC.929        (February 9, 2023) (Deterring Russia at Sea in the High North930        Pt.2 (youtube.com)).931932        Address to commemorate the annual memorial of the sinking and933        loss of life aboard USCGC BLACKTHORN on January 28, 1980 in934        Tampa Bay, Florida. (January 27, 2023) (I do not have a link or935        digital copy).936937        Veterans Day Address, City of Portsmouth, Virginia. (November938        11, 2022) (I do not have a link or digital copy).939940        Address to U.S. Coast Guard National Auxiliary Conference,941        Orlando, Florida. (August 19, 2022) (I do not have a link or942        digital copy).943944        Address to National Naval Officers Association 50th Anniversary945        Conference, Annapolis, Maryland. (July 29, 2022) (I do not have946        a link or digital copy).947948        Veterans Day Address, Washington College of Law (American949        University). (November 11, 2021) (I do not have a link or950        digital copy).951952        Charleston Defense Contractors Association 58th Small Business953        and Industry Outreach Association: Address. (July 15, 2021) (I954        do not have a link or digital copy).955956        Navy League Special Topic Breakfast: Address. (June 2, 2021) (I957        do not have a link or digital copy).958959        Safeguarding Australia Summit: Keynote Address--``Foreign960        Influence and Maintaining a Rules Based International Order.''961        (March 4, 2021) (I do not have a link or digital copy).962963        Maritime Cybersecurity Summit: Keynote Address. (November 5,964        2020) (I do not have a link or digital copy).965966        AFCEA Hawai'i Luncheon: Keynote Address. (February 12, 2020) (I967        do not have a link or digital copy).968969        National Judicial College Annual Symposium: Keynote Address.970        (February 4, 2020) (I do not have a link or digital copy).971972        AFCEA Hawai'i Intelligence, Cyber, and Young AFCEA Special973        Breakfast: Keynote Address. (October 8, 2019) (I do not have a974        link or digital copy).975976        West Coast Pilots Conference: Guest Speaker. (March 9, 2020) (I977        do not have a link or digital copy).978979        AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific Conference: Keynote Address.980        (November 20, 2019) (Keynote: RADM Lunday--YouTube).981982        University of Hawai'i Future Focus Conference: Opening Speech.983        (October 15, 2019) (I do not have a link or digital copy).984985        American Samoa Flag Day: Main Address. (April 16, 2019) (I do986        not have a link or digital copy).987988        AFCEA TechNet Asia-Pacific Conference: Keynote Address.989        (November 15, 2018) (Keynote--RADM Kevin Lunday, USCG Commander990        Fourteenth Coast Guard District (youtube.com)).991992        AFCEA/U.S. Naval Institute WEST Premier Sea Services Event, San993        Diego: Panel--``How Do We Leverage the Network to Build994        Maritime Power.'' (February 6, 2018) (WEST 2018 6 February:995        Afternoon Panel Discussion, 1430-1545 (youtube.com)).996997        American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National998        Security Annual Review: Moderator/Organizer, Panel VII: ``The999        Arctic: National Security and Oceans Law for the New Maritime1000        Frontier.'' (November 17, 2017) (Panel VII--The Arctic:1001        National Security and Oceans Law for the New Maritime Frontier1002        (americanbar.org)).10031004        Panelist--Advancing Maritime Cyber Education and Research, 20171005        Maritime Cyber Risk Symposium, Tiffin University. (November 13,1006        2017) (I do not have a link or digital copy).10071008        North Carolina Military Business Center--Southeast Region Cyber1009        Security and Technology Symposium: Keynote Address. (August 24,1010        2017) (I do not have a link or digital copy).10111012        Panelist, ``Information Warfare--Challenges and Solutions in1013        the Maritime Domain.'' U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space1014        Symposium. (May 17, 2016) (I do not have a link or digital1015        copy).10161017        Speaker, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics1018        Association (AFCEA) Luncheon--U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New1019        London, CT. (November 17, 2015) (I do not have a link or1020        digital copy).10211022        Kalaris Intelligence Conference 2015 (National Geospatial1023        Intelligence Agency and Georgetown University), Washington DC1024        (Panelist, ``Achieving Transparency, the Evolution of1025        Intelligence''). (September 24, 2015) (Panel 2 WEB1026        (youtube.com)).10271028        Speaker, ``U.S. Cyber Command Briefing.'' National Defense1029        Industrial Association (NDIA) Space Conference. Reston, VA.1030        (August 4, 2015) (I do not have a link or digital copy).10311032        National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) Annual Leadership,1033        Professional Development and Training Conference 20151034        (Panelist, ``Leadership'' (29 Jul 2015)); (Speaker ``Taking1035        Ownership of the Command Climate''). (July 30, 2015) (I do not1036        have a link or digital copy).10371038        Panelist, ``Achieving Information Governance in the Maritime1039        Domain.'' AFCEA Coast Guard Industry Day, Washington, DC.1040        (April 2, 2015) (I do not have a link or digital copy).10411042        Panelist, AFCEA Monthly Luncheon and Cybersecurity Panel.1043        (November 17, 2014) (I do not have a link or digital copy).10441045    In addition to the presentations above that were external to the1046Coast Guard, I frequently provide remarks at events internal to the1047Coast Guard, such as change of command ceremonies, commanding officer1048conferences, cutter commissioning or decommissioning events, and1049routine unit visits.1050    19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten1051years, including statements in news articles and radio and television1052appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position for which you1053have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to each statement1054when possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of1055the statement when available.10561057        Press release on Operation RIVER WALL (October 20, 2025). Coast1058        Guard launches Operation River Wall to control the border along1059        the Rio Grande > United States Coast Guard News > Press1060        Releases10611062        Press release on Coast Guard recapitalizes command and control1063        aircraft (October 18, 2025). https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-1064        Releases/Article/4324382/coast-guard-recapitalizes-command-and-1065        control-aircraft/10661067        Press release on Coast Guard military personnel to receive pay1068        during government shutdown (October 13, 2025). Coast Guard1069        military members to receive pay during government shutdown >1070        United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News10711072        Press release on Operation PACIFIC VIPER (August 26, 2025).1073        Operation Pacific Viper: U.S. Coast Guard Announces Largest1074        Drug Offload in its History | Homeland Security10751076        Phone interview with Kodiak Daily Mirror, Anchorage, AK.1077        (August 12, 2025). https://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/news/1078        article_430963b0-7597-4fa5-b52b-0351079        5ea6400ab.html10801081        Phone interview with Radio Station KMXT, Anchorage, AK (August1082        12, 2025) `If Not Us, Then Who,' second new USCG cutter1083        commissioned in Kodiak10841085        Media coverage of commissioning of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter1086        STORIS, Juneau, AK. (August 10, 2025).10871088        https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/08/10/u-s-coast-guard-adds-1089        icebreaker-to-fleet-for-first-time-in-25-years/10901091        https://seapowermagazine.org/coast-guard-commissions-1092        icebreaker-storis-in-juneau/10931094        Coast Guard Commissions First New Icebreaker Since the 1990s--1095        USNI News10961097        Press release on commissioning of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter1098        STORIS, Juneau AK. (August 10, 2025) https://www.news.uscg.mil/1099        Press-Releases/Article/4270746/us-coast-guard-commissions-1100        uscgc-storis-bolstering-arctic-presence-and-advancin/11011102        Media coverage of visit to Nome, AK on August 9, 2025 and1103        discussion with local leaders and members of U.S. House of1104        Representatives, Nome, AK.11051106        City of Nome hosts acting commandant of the Coast Guard11071108        High-Ranking U.S. Coast Guard officials and visiting1109        congressmen listen in on plan to expand Nome's Arctic Deep1110        Draft Port11111112        Quote, ``Force Design 2028 Execution Plan,'' MyCG (July 16,1113        2025). Coast Guard shares execution plan for Force Design 20281114        > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News11151116        Quote, ``Force Design 2028,'' MyCG (May 16, 2025) Sec. Noem:1117        ``The change I'm asking of you--Force Design 2028, our roadmap1118        for change--is the biggest change since 1915'' > United States1119        Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News11201121        Quote, ``New Systems Pending, but Coast Guard Stretched Thin,''1122        Seapower Magazine (May 14, 2025) New Systems Pending, but Coast1123        Guard `Stretched Thin,' Lunday Says--Seapower11241125        Quote, ``Coast Guard Force Design 2028,'' MyCG (April 3, 2025)1126        Coast Guard Force Design 2028 > United States Coast Guard > My1127        Coast Guard News11281129        Quote, ``Over half a billion dollars in cocaine offloaded in1130        Fort Lauderdale by Coast Guard,'' Miami Herald (March 20,1131        2025). Coast Guard offloads over 45,000 pounds of cocaine in1132        Broward | Miami Herald11331134        Video: ``Secretary Kristi Noem announces Coast Guard seizure of1135        `over half a billion dollars of drugs,'' Forbes Breaking News1136        (March 20, 2025) BREAKING: Sec. Kristi Noem Announces Coast1137        Guard Seizure Of 'Over Half A Billion Dollars' Of Drugs11381139        Press Release on operational success on drug interdiction and1140        border control operations. (March 18, 2025). Coast Guard1141        achieves major milestone in drug interdiction, border control1142        operations > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases11431144        Acting Commandant's Action Order Number 2: Increasing Coast1145        Guard Operational Focus on Combating Fentanyl. (January 29,1146        2025). Coast Guard Action Order #211471148        Acting Commandant's Commander's Intent. (January 23, 2025).1149        Commander's Intent11501151        Acting Commandant's Action Order Number 1: Increasing Coast1152        Guard Operational Presence. (January 21, 2025). document11531154        Press Release on actions to support President's Executive1155        Orders. (January 21, 2025) Coast Guard announces immediate1156        action in support of presidential executive orders > United1157        States Coast Guard News > Press Releases11581159        Facebook post, Coast Guard holds Mission Mighty Mississippi1160        recruiting event in Rock Island, IL. (September 21, 2024).1161        Mission Mighty Mississippi | We're in the Quad Cities with Adm.1162        Kevin Lunday, vice commandant of the Coast Guard, senior1163        leadership, recruiters and representatives of our missions at .1164        . . | By Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard |1165        Facebook11661167        Holiday message to Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Portsmouth, VA.1168        (December 23, 2023) During this season of celebration and1169        reflection, the Atlantic Area Commander Vice Admiral Kevin1170        Lunday and Command Master Chief Jeremy DeMello thank the . . .1171        | By U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command | Facebook11721173        Quote, ``Coast Guard Touches Down in Rock Island to Recruit1174        Next Generation of Service Men and Women.'' (October 22, 2023)1175        https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/coast-guard-rock-1176        island-mission-mighty-mississippi-river-recruit/526-788ae361-1177        4996-4eb3-ad65-f36a94f045ba11781179        Quote, ``U.S. Coast Guard Offloads $500M Worth of Drugs at Port1180        Everglades.'' (October 26, 2023) https://wsvn.com/news/local/1181        broward/us-coast-guard-offload-500m-worth-of-drugs-at-port-1182        everglades/11831184        Interview at New York Fleet Week, Ken Kraetzer Media. New York,1185        New York. (June 12, 2023) https://www.youtube.com/1186        watch?v=GV4pOp7OVtw11871188        Live Interview at New York Fleet Week, John Elliot, CBS2. (June1189        12, 2023)(I do not have a link or digital copy).11901191        Statement on Ombudsmen Appreciation Day. Portsmouth, Virginia.1192        (April 25, 2023) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/880987/coast-1193        guard-ombudsman-appreciation-day11941195        Interview at U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space Symposium.1196        Washington, DC. (April 17, 2023) https://www.dvidshub.net/1197        video/879390/coast-guard-commander-atlantic-area-and-defense-1198        force-east-speaks-sea-air-space-202311991200        Interview at Signing of MOU between U.S. Coast Guard and1201        Norfolk State University. Norfolk, Virginia. (March 23, 2023)1202        https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/1203        norfolk-state-university-renews-recruitment-partnership-us-1204        coast-guard/291-e41f6e5a-b883-4f21-9b07-55c9cd49bc5f12051206        Quote, ``U.S., Allies Need to Operate in the High North More to1207        Deter China, Russia Experts Say.'' (February 13, 2023) https://1208        news.usni.org/2023/02/13/u-s-allies-need-to-operate-in-the-1209        high-north-more-to-deter-china-russia-experts-say12101211        Holiday Message to Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Portsmouth,1212        Virginia (December 22, 2022) https://twitter.com/USCGLANTAREA/1213        status/1606077305398251214        9712?lang=en12151216        Quote, ``Coast Guard Honors Veterans in Special Ceremony in1217        Portsmouth.'' (November 11, 2022) https://www.13newsnow.com/1218        article/news/local/mycity/portsmouth/coast-guard-portsmouth-1219        virginia-veterans-day-ceremony/291-ede121220        5e9-993d-4a6a-b866-a184ecc6249012211222        Interview with Fox News, ``Coast Guard Assisting with Search1223        and Rescue After Ian.'' (October 1, 2022) https://1224        www.foxnews.com/video/631312312411212251226        Interview with CNN Newsroom on Hurricane IAN response.1227        Portsmouth, Virginia. (October 1, 2022) https://archive.org/1228        details/CNNW_20221001_160000_1229        CNN_Newsroom_With_Fredricka_Whitfield/start/600/end/66012301231        Statement on Hurricane IAN response. Portsmouth, Virginia.1232        (September 29, 2022) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/859065/1233        coast-guard-atlantic-area-vice-adm-command-master-chief-give-1234        brief-hurricane-ian-efforts12351236        Interview, ``Atlantic Area Visits Coast Guard World War II1237        Heroes in Belgium.'' (June 15, 2022) https://www.dvidshub.net/1238        news/423110/atlantic-area-visits-coast-guard-world-war-ii-1239        heroes-belgium12401241        Interview at New York Fleet Week, CBS2 John Elliott. New York,1242        New York. (May 25, 2022) https://www.youtube.com/1243        watch?v=3JwztTw-CF012441245        Interview at New York Fleet Week, Maurice Dubois, CBS2. New1246        York, New York. (May 25, 2022) https://www.youtube.com/1247        watch?v=d-0c7FxpDAA12481249        Holiday Message to Coast Guard Fourteenth District. Honolulu,1250        Hawai'i. (December 20, 2019) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1251        730498/rear-adm-kevin-1252        lunday-holiday-message12531254        Quote, ``U.S. Coast Guard and UH Manoa Sign Agreement1255        Increasing Student Opportunities.'' (November 5, 2019) https://1256        manoa.hawaii.edu/news/article1257        .php?aId=1028212581259        Spring Address to Coast Guard Fourteenth District. Honolulu,1260        Hawai'i. (July 5, 2019) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/678126/1261        rear-adm-kevin-lunday-spring-2019-address12621263        Interview, ``Coast Guard Celebrates Flag Day Alongside American1264        Samoa Leaders.'' (April 18, 2019) https://www.dvidshub.net/1265        news/318769/coast-guard-celebrates-flag-day-alongside-american-1266        samoa-leaders12671268        Interview, ``Coast Guard Recognizes Communities for Outstanding1269        Support in Hawai'i Pacific.'' (February 21, 2019) https://1270        www.dvidshub.net/news/311550/coast-guard-recognizes-1271        communities-outstanding-support-hawaii-pacific12721273        Interview, ``U.S., Federated States of Micronesia Conduct1274        Bilateral Engagement; Celebrate Operation HAILSTONE.''1275        (February 21, 2019) https://www.dvids1276        hub.net/news/311462/us-federated-states-micronesia-conduct-1277        bilateral-engagement-commemorate-operation-hailstone12781279        Message to the Public Upon Approach of Hurricane LANE.1280        Honolulu, Hawai'i. (August 24, 2018) https://twitter.com/USCG/1281        status/103307285994874470412821283        Message to Fourteenth District from new District Commander.1284        (July 27, 2018) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/615828/rear-adm-1285        kevin-lunday-address-district-1412861287        Interview, Federal News Network. (December 8, 2017) https://1288        federalnews1289        network.com/all-news/2017/12/coast-guard-cyber-command-just-as-1290        important-as-cutters-and-aircraft/12911292        Interview at Cyberscoop Forum: ``Cyber Talks 2017.''1293        Washington, DC. (November 22, 2017) https://cyberscoop.com/1294        video/kevin-lunday-coast-guard-cyber-talks-2017/12951296        Remarks to Coast Guard, ``Coast Guard Enterprise Mission1297        Platform.'' (July 19, 2017) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1298        538980/coast-guards-enterprise-mission-platform12991300        Remarks to Coast Guard, ``The Coast Guard's Role in1301        Cyberspace.'' (June 26, 2017) https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1302        534379/coast-guards-role-cyberspace13031304        Remarks to Coast Guard, ``Cyberspace is an Operational Domain1305        for the Coast Guard.'' (May 14, 2017) https://www.dvidshub.net/1306        video/ 531804/cyberspace-operational-domain-coast-guard13071308        Quote, ``Inside the Pentagon's Secret Preparations for a Cyber1309        9/11,'' MilitaryTimes. (June 21, 2016) https://1310        www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2016/06/21/inside-the-1311        pentagon-s-secretive-preparations-for-a-cyber-9-11/13121313        Quote, ``U.S. Agencies Conduct Cyber War Games,'' Wall Street1314        Journal. (July 5, 2015) https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-1315        agencies-conduct-cyber-war-games-143606921313161317    20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other1318digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated1319an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your1320name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle,''1321including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used1322on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,1323deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.13241325        Linkedin (active): ``Kevin E Lunday'' (Kevin Lunday--Career1326        U.S. Coast Guard officer--U.S. Coast Guard | LinkedIn).13271328        Facebook (active): ``Kevin E Lunday'' (Kevin Lunday |1329        Facebook).13301331        Twitter/X (inactive since 2020, deleted): ``KevinLunday''.13321333    21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified1334orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-1335governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each1336testimony.13371338        House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee1339        on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, ``The Future of the1340        Coast Guard: Review of Coast Guard Programs and Structure,''1341        (June 5, 2025) https://transportation.house.gov/calendar/1342        eventsingle.aspx?EventID=40869413431344        House Committee on Appropriations, Homeland Security1345        Subcommittee, ``Policy Accomplishments and Administration1346        Priorities,'' (May 14, 2025) http://appropriations.house.gov/1347        schedule/hearings/oversight-hearing-united-states-coast-guard13481349        Senate Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries,1350        Climate Change, and Manufacturing, ``Drug Enforcement and1351        Interdiction in the Maritime Domain,'' (September 19, 2024).1352        Coast Guard Drug Interdiction and Enforcement in the Maritime1353        Environment--U.S. . . .13541355    22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major1356operational objectives of the Coast Guard, what in your background or1357employment experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for1358appointment to the position for which you have been nominated, and why1359do you wish to serve in that position?1360    I believe I am affirmatively qualified for appointment to the1361position of Commandant in the grade of Admiral per 14 U.S.C. Sec. 3021362based on a proven record of successfully leading the Coast Guard,1363including as the Acting Commandant for nine months, the Vice Commandant1364for seven months, and commanding Atlantic Area for two years. I have1365led Coast Guard men and women to conduct operations and deliver results1366across the broad spectrum of Service missions, including during complex1367contingencies, and have demonstrated success leading mission support1368activities at the enterprise level and formulating and executing the1369Service's budget. I have demonstrated successful strategic leadership1370and ability to work with joint and interagency partners from Federal,1371state, and local governments, the private sector, and with allies and1372foreign governments. I have specialized competence through education,1373training, and experience in the fields of strategy, operations, mission1374support, law, and national security.1375    I wish to serve in the position of Commandant in the grade of1376Admiral per 14 U.S.C. Sec. 302 because I believe that I can best serve1377the Coast Guard and our people, the Department of Homeland Security,1378the joint force, and the Nation in a position of senior executive1379leadership during a time of transformational change for the Service. I1380am well prepared to lead Coast Guard men and women to safely and1381effectively conduct operations to deliver mission results under1382complex, dynamic conditions and challenges, including evolving threats,1383fiscal constraints, and public scrutiny of government functions. I am1384also well prepared to lead the Service as we implement Force Design13852028 and a historic $24.59B capital investment to restore the Coast1386Guard as an agile, capable, and responsive fighting force. I also1387believe that as a senior U.S. government attorney and military officer,1388I have a thorough understanding of my obligations and duty regarding1389the constitutional authority, roles, and responsibilities of Congress,1390the Executive, and the Judiciary, and the critical importance of1391civilian control of the military to the Nation.1392    23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to1393ensure that the Coast Guard has proper management and accounting1394controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large1395organization?1396    If confirmed, I will ensure the Coast Guard has proper management1397and accounting controls by personally understanding, directing, and1398ensuring compliance with the full scope of statutory, regulatory and1399policy requirements governing management of public property and funds1400and performance of government activities. I will ensure that the Coast1401Guard maintains policies and systems for management and accounting1402controls, trains personnel in their use and application, executes1403functions in accordance with those controls, and reports failures or1404violations of controls to appropriate enforcement and oversight1405authorities. I will ensure transparency of Coast Guard functions to1406Congress to enable the performance of its constitutional oversight1407role.1408    I have experience successfully leading and managing large1409organizations at the executive level.1410    From January 2025 to present, I have served as the Acting1411Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, responsible for command and1412strategic leadership of the Service during a time of significant change1413in operational priorities to control, secure, and defend the U.S.1414border and maritime approaches, starting at the southern border where1415the President declared a national emergency. I have also directed1416increased efforts to control, secure, and defend U.S. ports, waterways,1417and shipping--in the physical domain and cyberspace--and facilitate the1418flow of commerce to ensure the Nation's economic prosperity and1419strategic mobility. I am responsible for leading over 55,660 military1420and civilian employees and 20,754 Auxiliary volunteers operating 2371421cutters, 180 aircraft, and over 1,443 boats, and management of an1422annual $12.6B operations and capital investment budget.1423    From June 2024 to January 2025, I served as the Vice Commandant of1424the U.S. Coast Guard, responsible as the Chief Acquisition Executive1425for oversight and execution of Service acquisition programs. I oversaw1426significant progress in achieving design maturity of the Polar Security1427Cutter to enable start of pre-fabrication assembly unit production in1428December 2024, start of initial construction of the Offshore Patrol1429Cutter Stage 2 (Austal Shipyard) in August 2024, and accelerated1430procurement and delivery of the commercially available polar ice1431breaker, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter STORIS, in December 2024 that is now1432commissioned and operational. In this role, I also directed executive-1433level decision-making on a broad range of issues impacting the Coast1434Guard, including enterprise planning, programming, budgeting and1435execution, as well as policy and enterprise risk management.1436    From May 2022 to June 2024, I served as the Commander of U.S. Coast1437Guard Atlantic Area, responsible for directing Coast Guard forces and1438operations across all mission areas in five Districts from the1439Navigable Inland Waterways east of the Rocky Mountains to the Great1440Lakes, Gulf Coast, and East Coast of the U.S. throughout the Caribbean1441Sea and Atlantic Ocean and adjacent parts of the Arctic Ocean to the1442Arabian Gulf. In this role, I was responsible for leading over 22,0001443military and civilian employees and 17,900 Auxiliary volunteers1444operating 177 cutters, 91 aircraft, and over 1,000 boats, and1445management of $192M in operating funds. I also served as Commander,1446Coast Guard Defense Forces East, responsible for providing Coast Guard1447support as part of the joint force to the Department of Defense and1448Combatant Commanders for national defense missions.1449    From January 7, 2023 to June 2024, I concurrently served under1450Presidential appointment as the Director of Department of Homeland1451Security (DHS) Joint Task Force East, responsible for coordinating and1452synchronizing DHS cross-component operations to address a range of1453threats to the Southeast U.S. Border and maritime approaches.1454    From 2020 to 2022, as Deputy for Materiel Readiness, I provided1455oversight of program management and advised the Deputy Commandant for1456Mission Support regarding: engineering and logistics; Command, Control,1457Communications, Computers, and Information Technology (C4IT);1458acquisitions; delivery of operational logistics at the field level;1459and, personnel security and physical security policy and management.1460This involved advising on leading over 9,000 personnel and the1461execution of over $1.7B in maintenance funding and $2.2B in1462procurement, construction, and improvement funding.1463    From 2018-2020, as Commander, Oceania (Fourteenth) Coast Guard1464District, I directed U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout Oceania in1465the Pacific, including Hawai'i, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern1466Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and activities in Japan and Singapore.1467My duties included leadership of over 1,300 personnel and management of1468$24M in operating funds.1469    From 2016-2018, I commanded U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command where I1470directed the operation and defense of Coast Guard networks and computer1471systems and response to cyber incidents involving the U.S. maritime1472critical infrastructure. During that same period, I simultaneously1473served as the Assistant Commandant for C4IT (CG-6), responsible for1474policy, management, and direction of C4IT business and infrastructure1475assets, including information management. My concurrent duties in both1476of those positions included leading over 900 people and management of1477over $500M in operating and maintenance funding.1478    While serving as the Director of Exercises and Training (J7) at1479U.S. Cyber Command, I led the joint training of the Department of1480Defense (DoD) Cyber Mission Force and delivery of trained and ready1481cyberspace forces for DoD.1482    24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the1483Coast Guard, and why?14841485  1.  How does the Coast Guard successfully execute Force Design 2028,1486        the Secretary of Homeland Security's strategic direction to1487        restore the Service as an agile, capable, and responsive1488        fighting force, including successful execution of $24.59B in1489        historic capital investment? The Coast Guard today is emerging1490        from its lowest point of readiness since the end of World War1491        II. Force Design 2028 is bringing vital transformation across1492        the Service by developing the force structure and operating1493        concepts required to execute our missions; reform acquisitions1494        to rapidly deploy capabilities needed by operating forces;1495        exploit technology at every turn to enhance mission execution;1496        and, eliminate non-essential or obsolete programs. Successful1497        execution of Force Design 2028 and the $24.59B in capital1498        investments will bring the most significant organizational1499        change to the Service since 1915 when the modern Coast Guard1500        was formed. Force Design 2028, coupled with an increased,1501        sustained annual budget, will ensure the Coast Guard is Semper1502        Paratus--Always Ready to serve the American people now and into1503        the future.15041505  2.  How does the Coast Guard successfully recruit, develop, lead, and1506        retain the best people from across our United States when there1507        are increasing demands and competition with other government1508        agencies and the private sector for specialized talent? People1509        remain our greatest resource. The Coast Guard workforce1510        requires more specialty knowledge and technical proficiency1511        than ever before, meaning increased time and investment to1512        provide employees with technical training and competence in1513        skills that are increasingly perishable and in high demand by1514        the private sector and other government agencies. The Service1515        must improve its ability to attract, develop, and retain the1516        best talent into our workforce. This requires re-examining1517        current personnel management, training, and assignment policies1518        and systems, then adapting them to meet current and future1519        requirements. Further, Coast Guard employees deserve, and the1520        public expects, inspiring leadership at every level. The Coast1521        Guard must continue to improve leadership training and1522        performance to ensure it meets the highest standards and1523        traditions of the Service and the expectations of our people,1524        the President, and Congress.15251526  3.  How does the Coast Guard effectively combat sexual assault,1527        sexual harassment, bullying, hazing, and retaliation from1528        within its ranks to restore the trust of our workforce and the1529        public we serve? Sexual assault is a serious crime that1530        inflicts devastating trauma and destroys military readiness.1531        Each day despite the implementation of aggressive measures to1532        eliminate these crimes, there are still Coast Guard men and1533        women who live in fear of fellow service members. We have made1534        progress, but we have much more to do. The Coast Guard and1535        other military services must continue to place highest priority1536        on policies, leadership, and actions to prevent and respond to1537        incidents, hold predators accountable, care for victims, and1538        reduce and eliminate sexual predators from the military. The1539        Service must continue to identify and implement solutions to1540        address the problem, including effective prevention through1541        early interventions, care for victims, and accountability for1542        offenders.1543                   b. potential conflicts of interest1544    1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation1545agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,1546clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement1547accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.1548    Please see my nominee PFDR.1549    2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,1550to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,1551association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,1552please explain. No.1553    3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other1554relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in1555the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will1556resolve each potential conflict of interest.1557    None, please see my nominee PFDR. If any conflicts of interest or1558potential conflicts of interest arise, I will obtain advice from a1559Coast Guard ethics official and follow that advice.1560    4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial1561transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for1562yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in1563any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the1564position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve1565each potential conflict of interest.1566    None, but if any conflict of interest or potential conflict of1567interest arises, I will obtain advice from a Coast Guard ethics1568official and follow that advice.1569    5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain1570how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.1571    None, but if any conflict of interest or potential conflict of1572interest arises, I will obtain advice from a Coast Guard ethics1573official and follow that advice.1574    6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the1575names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the1576purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or1577modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and1578execution of law or public policy.1579    In 2021, I authored an article in Security Nexus, the journal for1580the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies,1581supporting U.S. efforts to promote global vaccine distribution, access,1582and availability for voluntary administration, and urging targeted1583efforts to distribute other health services aid to Pacific Island1584nations in Oceania as essential to U.S. national security. See1585``Vaccinate the Pacific!'' Security Nexus, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-1586Pacific Center for Security Studies (September 2021) The article is1587attached.1588    In 2017, I authored a chapter titled--``Homeland Security, The Need1589for Essential Change: Four Models of Decision For Improved Governance1590and a Resilient Nation,'' as part of the American Bar Association1591Standing Committee on Law and National Security's ``Government,1592Process, and Structure Project.'' The chapter supported a broad view of1593homeland security missions conducted by the Department of Homeland1594Security and urged consideration of additional authorities for the1595Secretary of Homeland Security to enable more effective governance and1596national resilience in response to emerging threats. The article is1597attached.1598                            c. legal matters1599    1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,1600professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a1601complaint to, any court, administrative agency, an Inspector General,1602the Office of Special Counsel, professional association, disciplinary1603committee, or other professional group? If yes:16041605  a.  Provide the name of court, agency, association, committee, or1606        group;16071608  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or1609        personnel action was issued or initiated;16101611  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or1612        personnel action;16131614  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,1615        complaint, or personnel action.16161617    On May 13, 2025 I was the subject of a civil complaint in Federal1618court. I was sued in U.S. District Court in my official capacity (along1619with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management1620Agency, and other individuals) by 20 U.S. states requesting declaratory1621and injunctive relief regarding the policy of Federal boating safety1622grants being conditioned on grantee compliance with civil immigration1623requirements. The case is pending.1624    In 2008, I was the subject of a civil complaint in Federal court. I1625was sued in U.S. District Court in my personal and official capacity1626(along with the Coast Guard) by an insurance agent who alleged1627violation of his constitutional rights in 1999 and 2000 for actions1628that he claimed interfered with his business aboard a Coast Guard1629installation at which I was assigned as the Staff Judge Advocate. The1630court dismissed the lawsuit on 12/8/2008. (USCOURTS-dcd-107-cv-02351-16310.pdf (govinfo.gov)).1632    Other than the above matters, I have none.1633    2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by1634any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,1635State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic1636offense? If so, please explain. No.1637    3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were1638an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency1639proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please1640explain.1641    Yes, as described in response to question C.1 above.1642    4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo1643contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic1644offense? If so, please explain. No.1645    5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual1646harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, national1647origin, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation,1648and pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, marital status,1649parental status, political affiliation, engagement in a protected Equal1650Employment Opportunity/Equal Opportunity (EEO/EO) activity, whistle1651blower activity, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No.1652    6. If you have ever served as a general court-martial convening1653authority involving sexual misconduct or assault, have you ever1654disapproved the findings of a court-martial related to the offense(s)1655or reduced the sentence adjudged by a court-martial, other than in1656connection with a pre-trial agreement? No.1657    7. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,1658favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in1659connection with your nomination.1660    I am a member in good standing of the Arizona State Bar, the1661Virginia State Bar, and U.S. Supreme Court Bar.1662                     d. relationship with committee1663    1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with1664deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that1665your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for1666information from individual Members of Congress, including requests1667from members in the minority? Yes.1668    2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can1669to protect congressional witnesses and whistleblowers from reprisal for1670their testimony and disclosures? Yes.1671    3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested1672witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with1673firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.1674    4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly1675constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be1676reasonably requested to do so? Yes.1677    5. Do you agree, if confirmed, to keep this Committee, its1678subcommittees, other appropriate Committees of Congress, and their1679respective staffs apprised of new information that materially impacts1680the accuracy of testimony, briefings, reports, records--including1681documents and electronic communications, and other information you or1682your organization previously provided? Yes.1683    6. Do you agree, if confirmed, and on request, to provide this1684Committee and its subcommittees with records and other information1685within their oversight jurisdiction, even absent a formal Committee1686request? Yes.1687    7. Do you agree, if confirmed, to ensure that you and other members1688of your organization protect from retaliation any military member,1689Federal employee, or contractor employee who testifies before, or1690communicates with this Committee, its subcommittees, and any other1691appropriate committee of Congress? Yes.1692                                 ______16931694  Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on1695         Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress1696                          by ADM Kevin Lunday1697    Upon further review, I have identified one edit that is responsive1698to question A.12 on the Committee's questionnaire. It is:16991700   Virginia State Bar (2006-present)17011702    Upon further review, I have identified three additional items and1703four edits that are responsive to question A.18 on the Committee's1704questionnaire. They are:17051706   Remarks at Commissioning of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter EARL1707        CUNNINGHAM, Kodiak, AK. (August 11, 2025). (I do not have a1708        link or digital copy).17091710   Remarks at Coast Guard Foundation Dinner, Washington, D.C.1711        (June 10, 2025). Acting Commandant ADM Kevin Lunday | 20251712        Tribute to the Coast Guard in our Nation's Capital17131714   Quote, ``Sea Air Space: CMS Breakfast Panel Discussed How to1715        Make Future Shipbuilding Shipshape'' (April 10, 2025) Sea-Air-1716        Space: CMS Breakfast Panel Discusses How to Make Future1717        Shipbuilding Shipshape--Seapower.17181719   Panelist, ``Reinvigorating the Maritime Industrial Base,''1720        U.S. Navy League America's Future Fleet symposium, Arlington,1721        VA. (December 3, 2024). (I do not have a link or digital copy).17221723   Remarks at Coast Guard Foundation Dinner, Houston, TX.1724        (November 21, 2024). MK1 Chad Rollins Promotion | 2024 Texas1725        Salutes the Coast Guard17261727   Remarks at Connecticut Global Security Forum, Hartford, CT.1728        (September 20, 2024) Navigating the Future Together: The Coast1729        Guard & Our Allies | Global Security Forum 2024--YouTube17301731   Panelist, ``Information Warfare--Challenges and Solutions in1732        the Maritime Domain.'' U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space1733        Symposium. (May 17, 2016) DVIDS--Video--SAS 2016: Panel:1734        Information Warfare--Security Challenges and Solutions in the1735        Maritime Domain17361737    Upon further review, I have identified 28 additional items that are1738responsive to question A.19 on the Committee's questionnaire. They are:17391740   Press Release on Coast Guard Sets Historic Record with1741        Amount of Cocaine Seized in FY25. (November 6, 2025). Coast1742        Guard sets historic record with amount of cocaine seized in1743        FY25 > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases17441745   Press release on Coast Guard commissions Coast Guard Earl1746        Cunningham (WPC 1159) in Kodiak, Alaska (August 11, 2025).1747        Coast Guard commissions Coast Guard Cutter Earl Cunningham (WPC1748        1159) in Kodiak, Alaska > United States Coast Guard News >1749        Press Releases17501751   Media coverage of commissioning of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter1752        STORIS, Juneau, AK. (August 10, 2025). Must Read Alaska on X:1753        ``Sen. Dan Sullivan and Admiral Kevin Lunday during the soggy1754        August day commissioning of the new Coast Guard icebreaker1755        Cutter Storis. https://t.co/wigPlfB9dO''/X17561757   Quote, ``They are the Best America Has: Coast Guard Holds1758        National Memorial Service.'' (August 2, 2025). 'They are the1759        best America has': Coast Guard holds National Memorial Service1760        | Fairs & Festivals | grandhaventribune.com17611762   Quote, ``Force Design 2028 Execution Plan,'' MyCG. (July 16,1763        2025). Coast Guard shares execution plan for Force Design 20281764        > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News17651766   Press Release on Coast Guard Renames Geographic Operational1767        Districts. (July 3, 2025). Coast Guard renames geographic1768        operational districts > United States Coast Guard News > Press1769        Releases17701771   Press Release on Coast Guard Achieves Major Milestone in1772        Drug Interdiction, Border Control Operations. (March 18, 2025).1773        Coast Guard achieves major milestone in drug interdiction,1774        border control operations > United States Coast Guard News >1775        Press Releases17761777   Quote, ``Sea Air Space: CMS Breakfast Panel Discussed How to1778        Make Future Shipbuilding Shipshape.'' (April 10, 2025). Sea-1779        Air-Space: CMS Breakfast Panel Discusses How to Make Future1780        Shipbuilding Shipshape--Seapower17811782   Acting Commandant's Action Order Number 1: Increasing Coast1783        Guard Operational Presence. (January 21, 2025). Coast Guard1784        Action Order: Increasing Coast Guard Operational Presence and1785        Focus on Border Control and Protecting the Territorial1786        Integrity of the United States.17871788   Quote, ``When the Coast Guard Intercepts Unaccompanied1789        Kids.'' (December 7, 2023). When the Coast Guard Intercepts1790        Unaccompanied Kids--ProPublica17911792   Interview at Mission Mighty Mississippi, WQAD 8. Rock1793        Island, IL. (October 22, 2023). Coast Guard hosts Mission1794        Mighty Mississippi in Rock Island | wqad.com17951796   Quote, ``Coast Guard Touches Down in Rock Island to Recruit1797        Next Generation of Service Men and Women.'' (October 22, 2023).1798        Coast Guard hosts Mission Mighty Mississippi in Rock Island |1799        wqad.com18001801   Live Interview at Mission Mighty Mississippi, FOX18. Rock1802        Island, IL. (October 20, 2023). United States Coast Guard hosts1803        Mission Mighty Mississippi family-friendly event |1804        OurQuadCities18051806   Quote, USCG Atlantic Area on X: ``Today @USCG personnel were1807        honored to ring in the Nasdaq Stock Market closing bell!A ``We1808        know here, being at the Nasdaq, that the health of our Nation1809        is based on the health of our economy,''--Vice Adm. Kevin1810        Lunday.'' (May 25, 2023) See more8https://t.co/7PBp0SOwpd1811        #fleetweek #nasdaq #NYC https://t.co/UtiDgQyloY''/X18121813   Live Interview at New York Fleet Week, Reagan Medgie, FOX5.1814        New York, New York. (May 24, 2023). Exciting Kickoff of Fleet1815        Week NYC 2023: Ships, Performances and More18161817   Coast Guard Ombudsman Appreciation Message. (March 24,1818        2023). DVIDS--Video--Coast Guard Ombudsman Appreciation Day18191820   Holiday Message to Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Portsmouth,1821        Virginia. (December 12, 2022). DVIDS--Video--Coast Guard1822        Atlantic Area Commander sends a holiday greeting18231824   Interview at New York Fleet Week, CBS2 John Elliott. New1825        York, New York. (May 25, 2022). Fleet Week: Meet the newest1826        vice admiral of U.S. Coast Guard. Fleet Week: Meet the newest1827        vice admiral of U.S. Coast Guard18281829   Press Release on U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dependable1830        Celebrated for 56 Years' Service During Heritage Recognition1831        Ceremony. (April 10, 2024). US Coast Guard Cutter Dependable1832        celebrated for 56 years' service during heritage recognition1833        ceremony > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases18341835   Press Release on Coast Guard Offloads Nearly $500 Million in1836        Illegal Narcotics at Port Everglades. (October 27, 2023). Coast1837        Guard offloads nearly $500 million in illegal narcotics at Port1838        Everglades > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases18391840   Quote, ``U.S. Continues Maritime Safety Security1841        Improvements with Republic of Palau.'' (June 4, 2020). DVIDS--1842        Video--US Continues Maritime Safety Security Improvements with1843        Republic of Palau18441845   Press Release on U.S. Coast Guard Commissions William Hart1846        in Honolulu. (September 26, 2019). DVIDS--U.S. Coast Guard1847        Commissions William Hart in Honolulu18481849   Press Release on Interior Announces More Than $1.2 Million1850        in Funding Support for the Republic of Palau. (May 30, 2019).1851        Interior Announces more than $1.2 Million in Funding Support1852        for the Republic of Palau | U.S. Department of the Interior18531854   Quote, ``U.S. Coast Guard Supporting U.S. Pacific Fleet1855        Navigation Initiatives Federated States Micronesia.'' (May 24,1856        2019). DVIDS--U.S. Coast Guard Supporting U.S. Pacific Fleet1857        Navigation Initiatives Federated States Micronesia18581859   Press Release on U.S., Federated States of Micronesia1860        Conduct Bilateral Engagement; 75th Commemorate Operation1861        Hailstone. (February 22, 2019). U.S., Federated States of1862        Micronesia Conduct Bilateral Engagement; 75th Commemorate1863        Operation Hailstone > U.S. Indo-Pacific Command > News Articles18641865   Press Release on United States Files Complaint Against1866        Hawaii Fishing Companies, Managers, and Vessel Operators Over1867        Illegal Oil Discharges and Lodges Partial Settlement With1868        Managers. (September 7, 2018). Office of Public Affairs |1869        United States Files Complaint Against Hawaii Fishing Companies,1870        Managers, and Vessel Operator Over Illegal Oil Discharges and1871        Lodges Partial Settlement With Managers | United States1872        Department of Justice18731874   Address to District 14. (July 27, 2018). DVIDS--Video--Rear1875        Adm. Kevin Lunday Address to District 1418761877   Video Series, The Coast Guard's Role in Cyberspace.1878        Washington, DC. (June 26, 2017). DVIDS--Video--The Coast1879        Guard's Role in Cyberspace18801881    I have been notified of an additional item responsive to question1882C.l. on the Committee's questionnaire. It is:1883    On October 7, 2025, I was the subject of a civil complaint in1884Federal court. I was sued in U.S. District Court in my official1885capacity (along with the Commander of Coast Guard Personnel Service1886Center and another Officer) by Students for Fair Admissions requesting1887declaratory and injunctive relief regarding the Coast Guard's College1888Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) program alleging that the1889CSPI program discriminates based upon race and ethnicity in violation1890of the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment. The case is pending.1891                                 ______18921893   Senate Commerce Committee Coast Guard Nominee Questionnaire 119th1894                                Congress1895Additional Questions for Coast Guard O-10 Nominee:1896    1. Were you ever officially, or unofficially, accused of sexual1897assault, sexual harassment, or any other sex crimes during your time in1898the service (including the Academy and/or other accession points)?1899Please describe.1900    No. I am unaware of any accusation against me for sexual assault,1901sexual harassment, or any other sex crimes during my time in the1902service.19031904    2. Did you have any knowledge, official or otherwise, of Operation1905Fouled Anchor before CNN broke the story on June 30, 2023? Please1906describe your knowledge, and subsequent actions in detail.1907    On June 12, 2023, the Commandant held a conference phone call with1908the Vice Admirals, the Vice Commandant, and Master Chief Petty Officer1909of the Coast Guard and discussed the investigation known as Operation1910Fouled Anchor and that a forthcoming news media report on the1911investigation would be released. I was traveling in Guantanamo Bay,1912Cuba at the time of the call. That was the first time that I learned of1913Operation Fouled Anchor.19141915    a. If so, in what capacity did you receive this information?1916    The Commandant was informing senior Coast Guard leaders during a1917phone call on June 12, 2023.19181919    b. If so, what did you do with that information? Did you report to1920CGIS, or others? Please describe.1921    I did not do anything as the Commandant was informing senior Coast1922Guard leaders about Operation Fouled Anchor and the actions that were1923being taken.19241925    c. If not, had you heard of an investigation surrounding sexual1926assault but did not know if it was a part of Operation Fouled Anchor?1927If so, please describe.1928    While assigned as Commander, Oceania (previously Fourteenth) Coast1929Guard District in Honolulu, HI from July 2018 to June 2020, I heard at1930some point in time (probably late 2018 or 2019) that there was an1931ongoing investigation into certain alleged sexual assaults that had1932occurred years before at the Coast Guard Academy. I don't recall the1933date or circumstances I heard this information. However, I was not1934informed that there were any officers then assigned to Coast Guard1935Oceania District who were alleged to have committed sexual assaults as1936part of that investigation, and I don't recall the term ``Operational1937Fouled Anchor'' as any part of the discussion.19381939    3. Have you ever heard of a group called ''Theta Gamma'' or ``the1940Dirty Thirty''?1941    No.19421943    a. If so, did you ever take part in meetings, events, or other1944related formal or informal gatherings or discussions?1945    I never heard of this group.19461947    b. Did you ever consider yourself a part of the group?1948    No.19491950    c. If you have an Academy class ring, do you have anything1951inscribed on it? If so, please describe.1952    Yes. I had the words ''Revere Honor, Honor Duty'' inscribed inside1953my class ring to remind me of the words in the floor of the entrance to1954Chase Hall, the Coast Guard Academy cadet barracks: ``Who Lives Here1955Reveres Honor, Honors Duty.''19561957    4. Are you aware of instances of sexual assault, sexual harassment,1958or any other sex crimes that were handled incorrectly either at the1959Academy or any other unit that you served in, or had knowledge of,1960during your time in the Coast Guard?1961    No.19621963    a. If so, how did you handle this?1964    I was not aware of any instances as asked above.19651966    5. Did you at any time during the course of Operation Fouled1967Anchor, or following its conclusion, have any influence or1968conversations, direct or indirect, formal or informal, on the decision1969to not disclose the investigation to Congress? Please describe.1970    No.19711972    a. Did you have any awareness of the decision process to not1973disclose? Please describe.1974    No.19751976    6. Have you ever received an order or direction, formal or1977informal, to not pursue any actions regarding sexual assault, sexual1978harassment, or any other sex crimes from anyone in authority overseeing1979any reported or nonreported, cases/claims? Please describe.1980    No.19811982[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]19831984    Admiral Kevin E. Lunday assumed the duties of Acting Commandant on1985January 21, 2025. He leads the 56,000 men and women of the U.S. Coast1986Guard as part of the Department of Homeland Security team protecting1987America and one of the six military services and part of the joint1988force defending it. As a maritime Nation, the U.S. relies on a strong1989Coast Guard to assure our national security. We control the U.S.1990maritime borders and approaches and protect U.S. sovereignty. We assure1991the operation, security, and defense of U.S. maritime critical1992infrastructure-vital to America's economic prosperity and strategic1993mobility. We save lives through prevention and rescuing those in1994distress at sea. We conduct maritime law enforcement, military1995operations, and safeguard navigation on the high seas and navigable1996waters of the U.S., including operations in the Arctic, Indo-Pacific,1997and Atlantic Oceans. We protect the marine environment and our living1998marine resources. We remain Semper Paratus--Always Ready in service to1999the American people.2000    Admiral Lunday previously served as the 34th Vice Commandant from2001June 2024. Before that, he served as Commander, Atlantic Area where he2002directed operations from the Navigable Inland Waterways east of the2003Rocky Mountains to the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and East Coast of the2004U.S. throughout the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent parts of the Arctic2005Ocean to the Arabian Gulf. Admiral Lunday has extensive experience in2006the Indo-Pacific where he served as Commander of the Fourteenth Coast2007Guard District, directing operations throughout Oceania, including2008Hawai'i, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana2009Islands, as well as activities in Japan and Singapore.2010    Experienced in operational and technical cyberspace operations,2011Admiral Lunday served as Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command2012where he directed the operation, maneuver, and defense of the Coast2013Guard Enterprise Mission Platform as part of Department of Defense2014(DoD) networks. He also directed remote and deployable cyberspace2015operations to protect U.S. maritime critical infrastructure from2016cyberattack. Prior to this role he served as Director of Exercises and2017Training (J7), U.S. Cyber Command where he directed the joint training2018and certification of the DoD Cyber Mission Force, the Nation's2019cyberspace warriors.2020    Admiral Lunday is a career national security attorney and judge2021advocate. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the National War College2022with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy, and graduate of2023the Naval War College with distinction. He holds a Juris Doctor with2024high honors from George Washington University Law School and Bachelor2025of Science in Marine Engineering with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard2026Academy. He has earned numerous personal, team, and campaign awards2027during 38 years of service.2028                                 ______20292030                        ADMIRAL Kevin E. Lunday2031Current Assignment2032Jan 25-present Commandant (Acting), U.S. Coast Guard2033Assignment History2034Jun 24-Jan 25 Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard20352036May 22-Jun 24 Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Defense Forces2037East20382039Jan 23-Jun 24 Director, DHS Joint Task Force--East20402041Jul 20-May 22 Deputy for Materiel Readiness (Mission Support)20422043Jul 18-Jun 20 Commander, Fourteenth U.S. Coast Guard District20442045Jun 16-Jul 18 Assistant Commandant for Command, Control,2046Communications, Computers, and Information Technology (CG-6)20472048Jun 16-Jul 18 Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command20492050Jun 14-Jun 16 Director (J7), Training and Exercises, U.S. Cyber Command20512052Jun 11-Jun 14 Executive Assistant to the Commandant (CG-00EA)20532054Jun 08-Jun 11 Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center LANT, Commanding2055Officer20562057Aug 07-Jun 08 National War College, Duty Under Instruction20582059Jun 04-Aug 07 MLCLANT, Chief, OPLAW Branch/CGD5 Staff Judge Advocate20602061Jul 01-Jun 04 CG-2, Intelligence Counsel/Legal Advisor (detailed from2062G-LMI)20632064Jun 99-Jul 01 TRACEN Yorktown, Staff Judge Advocate20652066Jul 97-Jun 99 TRACEN Yorktown, Ass't Chief/Legal Advisor, MLE School20672068Jul 94-Jul 97 George Washington Univ. Law School, Duty Under2069Instruction20702071Feb 93-Jul 94 CG Intel Coord Center, Chief, Global Intel Branch,2072Analysis Div.20732074Jul 91-Feb 93 CG Intel Coord Center, Indications & Warning Watch2075Officer20762077Jun 89-Jul 91 USCGC POINT MARTIN, Commanding Officer20782079May 87-Jun 89 USCGC SWEETGUM, Deck Watch Officer/Operations Officer2080Educational Summary20812008--National War College, M.S., National Security Strategy,2082Distinguished Graduate208320841997--George Washington Univ. Law School, J.D., with high honors208520861994--Naval War College, College of Command & Staff (Non-resident),2087Diploma with distinction208820891987--USCG Academy, B.S., Marine Engineering with honors2090Military Personal Awards and Significant National Recognition2091  or Achievement2092CG DSM (2024, 2018), DSSM (2016), LOM (2022, 2020, 2014, 2011), MSM2093(2010, 2007, 2004), COM (2008, 2001, 1998, 1994), ACH (1999, 1989), LOC2094(2003)209520962023, Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer 2011, Honorary Chief Petty2097Officer209820992008, National Military Intelligence Assoc. Sherman Kent Strategic2100Intelligence Writing Award210121022005, American Bar Assoc. Outstanding Military Service Career Judge2103Advocate Award210421052004, Director of Central Intelligence National Intelligence2106Certificate of Distinction210721081997, Order of the Coif, George Washington Univ. Law School2109Significant Current Professional Credentials or Recent Activities2110Admitted to practice law, Arizona 2022 (active)21112112Admitted to practice law, Virginia 2006 (active)21132114Admitted to practice law, U.S. Supreme Court 200221152116Admitted to practice law, Maryland 1997 (inactive)21172118Certification as Military Judge under Article 26(b) UCMJ, 200521192120Certification as a Judge Advocate under Article 27(b) UCMJ, 199721212122Member, American Bar Association (2005-present)21232124Special Advisor to the Standing Committee on Law and National Security,2125American Bar Association (Sep 2021-May 2022)21262127Member, Advisory Committee to the Standing Committee on Law and2128National Security, American Bar Association (Aug 2015-Jul 2017)21292130Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States (1997-present)21312132    The Chairman. Thank you, Admiral. After years of neglect,2133the Coast Guard is finally receiving the resources it needs to2134stop illegal immigration, to intercept drug traffickers, and to2135keep Americans safe at sea. Senate Republicans fought hard to2136secure nearly $25 billion for the Coast Guard in the One Big2137Beautiful Bill to fund the largest recapitalization of the2138Coast Guard in history. In your judgment, how big a deal is2139that investment in the Coast Guard?2140    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, it is not only a historic2141investment, but it comes at a time where the Coast Guard was2142facing decades of underinvestment that resulted in a readiness2143spiral for us. And so, this infusion of capital investment will2144enable us to recapitalize in the areas I just described, and2145that, coupled with higher sustained annual authorization and2146appropriations, particularly the operating funds necessary to,2147for example, bring on those 15,000 Coast Guard men and women,2148are going to enable us to be successful into the future.2149    The Chairman. I very much agree. Another element of the One2150Big Beautiful Bill is that we cut through layers of red tape,2151and we gave the Coast Guard flexibility to quickly buy new2152ships and aircraft. This will help you address urgent readiness2153gaps before the funding window closes and adversaries get ahead2154of the U.S. In your judgment, how would backtracking and2155reinstating those acquisition hurdles impact the Coast Guard's2156ability to deliver the paid-for assets on time and on budget?2157    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, the relief provided from--in2158the One Big Beautiful Bill Act from the regular pre-acquisition2159requirements in Title 14, Chapter 11, is essential for our2160ability to move at speed and scale to deliver the assets the2161Coast Guard and America needs, and so if that were to be pulled2162back, that would slow us down. Those requirements are2163originally probably intended to reduce risk, but they've2164resulted in delays and our ability to not move at the pace2165America needs us to move. And so, a permanent change that2166allows us to not be bound by those that slow us down so we can2167continue to deliver at speed is vital.2168    The Chairman. Thank you. Earlier this month at Coast Guard2169Base Alameda, we saw what happens when anti-enforcement2170activism gets out of hand. During a protest by the radical left2171against immigration enforcement, a driver attempted to ram a2172truck into Coast Guard personnel. Meanwhile, the left has2173continued to vilify law enforcement and Homeland Security2174personnel simply for doing their jobs. Admiral Lunday, what2175message does it send to your service members when acts of2176aggression like this are met with political indifference?2177    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, the safety of our Coast Guard2178men and women and the safety of the public is our paramount2179concern. In that situation, our Coast Guard men and women2180were--who were standing security were faced with an imminent2181threat. As the driver of that truck reversed and accelerated2182toward them, it presented a deadly force situation. From all2183accounts that I know of and can see, they acted with discipline2184and professionalism to defend themselves and also to protect2185the public. The driver of that truck, there's an ongoing FBI2186investigation. The driver has been charged with a Federal2187crime, and--but our personnel acted with discipline and2188restraint in that situation.2189    The Chairman. Turning to a different topic, Iran has used2190maritime drug trafficking in the Middle East, including2191trafficking drugs on fishing dhows, to finance its malign2192activities. I know that you are operating under the command of2193the Navy, but is it fair to say if the Coast Guard discovers2194illegal narcotics aboard a vessel in this region, these would-2195be drug traffickers face no punishment other than having their2196drugs seized?2197    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, under the current practice2198under the Department of War, that is the--that is the outcome.2199We seize and destroy the drugs, but we do not seize the vessel.2200    The Chairman. And it's my understanding that the fishermen2201aboard face no legal punishment. Is that correct?2202    Admiral Lunday. That's correct, Mr. Chairman, in almost all2203cases.2204    The Chairman. And the fishermen take control of the dhow2205and are allowed to continue sailing after the interdiction?2206    Admiral Lunday. Yes, Mr. Chairman.2207    The Chairman. You will not be surprised to know that I2208think that makes no sense whatsoever, and I very much hope the2209Department of War changes the protocols in those circumstances.2210    Shifting to another topic, for too long, the Coast Guard2211has watched from the sidelines as Russia and China have2212expanded their Arctic operations with fleets of heavy2213icebreakers. That's why the One Big Beautiful Bill helped fund2214a modern icebreaking fleet. My understanding is that the Coast2215Guard is writing a plan, as directed by a Presidential2216memorandum, to phase construction of the Arctic security2217cutters and eventually transition production to U.S. shipyards,2218including in the great State of Texas. What are some of the2219critical debates you are having about that plan, and when will2220it be made public?2221    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, we're continuing to work on2222delivering that plan that we owe back to the President within222360 days of his October announcement. Our principle focus on2224that plan is to deliver an onshoring strategy. So, the2225President determined that four of those Arctic security cutters2226would be built first overseas as part of the two consortiums,2227but then we would onshore that capability back into U.S.2228shipyards that strengthens our U.S. shipbuilding industrial2229base, and the remaining Arctic security cutters will be built2230here in the U.S. by American workers.2231    The Chairman. That is enormously important capacity, and I2232think it's going to have profound and long-term effect. All2233right. Final question. How do you expect the Coast Guard to2234take full advantage of these new Arctic security cutters to2235support U.S. presence and interest in the Arctic? Put another2236way, how will things be different for the Coast Guard in the2237Arctic?2238    Admiral Lunday. Well, Mr. Chairman, as you know, the Coast2239Guard operates the only U.S. surface presence that accesses2240both of the polar regions, but particular to the Arctic, that2241will give us the ability to have sustained presence to2242challenge adversary behavior. You know, this summer we saw five2243Chinese-flagged research vessels that were operating north2244along our Northern border, north of Alaska, along our extended2245Outer Continental Shelf area. We sent the older medium2246icebreaker HEALY up there and the new commercial icebreaker,2247STORIS, that we just commissioned in August, and we ran them2248out of there. But we need stronger, sustained Coast Guard2249presence to be able to enforce U.S. sovereignty, protect our2250border and our maritime approaches throughout the Arctic Ocean.2251    The Chairman. I very much agree. Senator Klobuchar.22522253               STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,2254                  U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA22552256    Senator Klobuchar. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral,2257congratulations on your nomination, and I'm going to take you2258to some colder places as Senator Cruz left off with that: the2259Port of Duluth. Have you been there before?2260    Admiral Lunday. Senator, I have not been to the Port of2261Duluth, but I look forward to visiting.2262    Senator Klobuchar. Excellent answer. It is, in fact, the2263largest port by tonnage on the Great Lakes, 35 million tons of2264cargo, one of the Nation's top 20 ports. We're very proud of2265it. Over the years, we've put a lot of funding into making it2266multimodal, and there are all kinds of things shipped back and2267forth, and that Senator Baldwin and I, as a result of her work2268on the Great Lakes, have been really focused on the acquisition2269of a second Coast Guard Great Lakes icebreaker to be used on2270the Great Lakes and the port. Do you have the resources you2271need, and can you talk about the importance of icebreakers?2272    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you. The Great Lakes, as you2273know, is a critical system to our national economy and also our2274national security. And so, the Coast Guard operates the2275Mackinaw, which is the current Great Lakes icebreaker, and we2276need a second Great Lakes icebreaker. I want to thank the2277support of Congress in Fiscal Year 2024 budget for2278appropriating $20 million to continue the pre-acquisition, the2279analyze-and-select phase for the next Great Lakes icebreaker,2280but we need an additional $35 million to complete that analyze-2281and-select phase and move toward that acquisition. I just2282released our Fiscal Year 2026 unfunded priorities list, and2283that includes a request for that additional funding on the2284unfunded priorities list.2285    Senator Klobuchar. OK. Very good. Thank you, and we hope we2286can get this done. It's just so important for the future of the2287economy. One of these supply chain issues--I know you've worked2288on supply chains, and what are some of the biggest challenges2289the Coast Guard is facing when trying to manage shipping2290vessels when there is congestion as opposed to the icebreaker2291issue?2292    Admiral Lunday. Well, Senator, one of the biggest2293challenges that we face is we have to keep the commerce moving.2294And while we keep it moving, we also have to make sure that it2295is safe and secure through our entire marine transportation2296system. So, that's our ports, our inland waterways as well,2297and, of course, the Great Lakes system. And so, we also license2298U.S. mariners, which is critically important, to make sure that2299our mariners have the training and capability to be able to2300operate the--what will be a growing U.S. fleet, under the2301President's direction, to restore America's maritime dominance.2302All of that falls under the Coast Guard's authority and2303responsibility.2304    Senator Klobuchar. Thank you, and you pledge to coordinate2305with our very friendly neighbor to the north, Canada, which is2306near and dear to my heart?2307    Admiral Lunday. Senator, we do. The Coast Guard has a2308strong operational relationship with Canadian forces, whether2309it's Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Canadian Defense, and2310that's a strong working relationship across our Northern border2311and into the Arctic. You know, yesterday I was with Secretary2312Noem at the icebreaker collaboration effort meeting that she2313chaired with representatives of Canada and Finland, and she2314talked about the importance of our partnership with not only2315Canada, but also Finland. And so, it's just another example of2316that close working relationship, Senator.2317    Senator Klobuchar. Yes. Senator Murkowski and I are meeting2318with members of the Finnish Parliament today about just this2319same subject. So, the Edmund Fitzgerald, we just recognized the232050th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, loss2321of 29 crew members transporting taconite from Minnesota's Iron2322Range, where my dad grew up. My grandpa was an iron ore miner.2323It wasn't just a very famous song that came out of that, but2324coming out of that was a Coast Guard investigation that led to2325major changes to Great Lake shipping practices. You should know2326in freezing cold weather, 2,000 Minnesotans gathered outside on2327the North Shore just last week to recognize those that we lost,2328including some of their descendants and family members. In your2329testimony, you mentioned the Coast Guard's role in responding2330to crises that come without warning. Just to confirm that2331you'll continue to prioritize that.2332    We lost a Coast Guard station in Grand Marai. We have now2333worked with the tribe up there and gotten some funding to have2334a tribal Coast Guard, because if the Coast Guard comes from2335Duluth, it's such a long way up the North Shore, it's worth2336looking into what they've resorted to. But we do have some2337ships, some boats that can rescue people that the state and the2338tribe worked on together, but just in general, if you could2339look into that and how we're kind of band-aiding it together,2340and then also just a commitment to continue to prioritize2341safety.2342    Admiral Lunday. Senator, if confirmed by the Senate, I look2343forward to working to prioritize safety and also certainly to2344visit Duluth.2345    Senator Klobuchar. Yes. Well, really, you will be a very--a2346famous celebrity to come to Duluth on--to see that port, only2347because we just love the Coast Guard up there, so thank you.2348    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator.2349    Senator Klobuchar. Look forward to it.2350    The Chairman. And, Admiral, I will say it's excellent2351instincts if any member of this committee asks you to visit2352this--their state. The only answer is, ``absolutely yes.''2353    [Laughter.]2354    The Chairman. Senator Wicker.23552356                STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,2357                 U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI23582359    Senator Wicker. Admiral, I would suggest you wear layers2360when you go to Duluth.2361    Senator Klobuchar. Unnecessary.2362    [Laughter.]2363    Senator Wicker. Admiral Lunday, the experience of serving2364the--in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps has real2365benefits. A RAND Corporation study found that students who2366participated in JROTC have higher grades, better attendance2367rates, and are more likely to graduate from high school than2368other students. Mississippi was pleased to welcome the Coast2369Guard's first JROTC program in the state at Clinton High School2370in 2023. This is in the Heartland District of the Coast Guard.2371Let me also note that the Coast Guard is congressionally2372required to have a JROTC unit in every district by December 312373of this year.2374    In the 2025--in 2025, the Senate passed the Coast Guard2375Reauthorization Act and included a negotiated provision2376directing you to expand JROTC to no fewer than 20 programs by2377the end of 2026. There are currently 14 programs. It shouldn't2378be too difficult for you to get from 14 programs to 20 programs2379by the end of next year. Would you comment about that?2380    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator Wicker. The Junior ROTC2381programs are great programs, and I know the one in Clinton is--2382Clinton High School is one of our largest with the greatest2383participation of many others. I'm proud to tell you that we are2384ahead of schedule in establishing a Coast Guard Junior ROTC2385program in every one of the Coast Guard districts, and if2386confirmed by the Senate, I will--I will work to complete the2387requirement by the end of 2026, as you described, Senator.2388    Senator Wicker. That's good to hear. It is a citizenship2389builder for sure. Now, let's move then to IUU--illegal,2390unreported, and unregulated fishing. It's a real problem.2391Admiral Paparo has commended the Coast Guard for its service in2392his area of the world in that regard. Do you believe the Coast2393Guard is serving U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific by2394combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing?2395    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator. I do, and this is a2396topic I've actually talked personally with Admiral Paparo2397about. Combating IUU fishing is not just one of our statutory2398missions, it's actually a national security imperative,2399particularly pushing back against the malign influence of China2400and their distant water fleets. You know, throughout the Indo-2401Pacific, we see those fleets encroaching on Pacific Island2402nations, and there are--who don't always have the capability to2403push back, or even on the high seas, violating international2404rules about illegal fishing. And so, the Coast Guard's presence2405in the Indo-Pacific to enforce not only our sovereignty,2406because beyond Hawaii and our three territories and their2407exclusive economic zones, there are broad other areas of U.S.2408sovereignty, exclusive economic zones around smaller tolls and2409islands throughout South and Central Pacific, and we are2410responsible for protecting our sovereignty. We also help2411Pacific Island nations who don't have the capability through2412our ship rider agreements. So, yes, sir, it's of critical2413importance.2414    Senator Wicker. It's a more than $2.4 billion problem for2415the United States alone, IUU fishing, and, yes, it is more than2416an economic problem. It involves human trafficking, forced2417labor, and undercutting a very vital industry in the United2418States. Finally, let me ask you this. It's a bit of good news2419that the--that Amtrak has opened the Mardi Gras Service between2420New Orleans, going across the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, and on2421to Mobile. The passenger participation has been through the2422roof, outstripping every optimistic projection we've had, so2423that's very good news. One lingering issue concerns CSX's2424effort to remotely operate several drawbridges in Alabama and2425Mississippi. This company has invested nearly $60 million in2426safety and automation upgrades to run a remote pilot during the2427pandemic, yet they've been working for the last 5 years for2428full automation approval from the Coast Guard. If confirmed,2429would you be willing to work with me to resolve this issue and2430ensure the process better supports modern rail infrastructure,2431while maintaining navigational safety?2432    Admiral Lunday. Senator, I'm aware of the issue, and if2433confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working with you to2434resolve that issue.2435    Senator Wicker. I think--I think if we work together, we2436can get that resolved. The automation is ready, and we need to2437find a way to ``yes.'' So, thank you very much for that2438assurance, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.2439    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Baldwin.24402441               STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,2442                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN24432444    Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral Lunday,2445thank you for meeting with me in advance of this hearing today,2446and thank you for your service.2447    When we met, you said that closure of a number of search-2448and-rescue facilities across the country is under consideration2449by the Coast Guard, including at least three in Wisconsin. I2450actually think this would be a reckless decision. Search and2451rescue is one of the core missions of the Coast Guard, and the2452people of Wisconsin depend upon the Coast Guard when disaster2453happens. The Coast Guard's resources in the region are already2454stretched very thin by the significant commercial and2455recreational usage of the Great Lakes. Any cuts to the Coast2456Guard's search-and-rescue capabilities means that Wisconsinites2457are going to be less safe on the water. So, Admiral Lunday,2458will you commit today that you will not close facilities in2459Wisconsin and ensure that there are adequate search-and-rescue2460resources on the Great Lakes?2461    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you for the question.2462Search-and-rescue is not just one of our 11 missions, it's part2463of our DNA. It's a sacred trust we have with the American2464people and the communities you are describing. You know, unlike2465the other military services that live on bases, we live in2466those communities, and so we're neighbors in those communities.2467We took an action to reduce the staffing and change the status2468temporarily several years ago because of a shortage in our2469enlisted workforce. I was at the Atlantic area--commanding2470Atlantic area, and I was part of the decision on where to take2471action to reduce the staffing at those stations, so I was2472responsible for that. And we are looking at those decisions to2473make sure we are not reducing search-and-rescue coverage in a2474way that unduly increases risk of response, but we are still2475assessing it.2476    Senator, part of Force Design 2028 that the Secretary2477directed, one element is to look at our operating concepts and2478our force structure throughout the Coast Guard, everywhere that2479we're located, and we're just beginning that work, and part of2480that will be an assessment on where our stations are and2481whether where our other facilities are located as well. So, we2482haven't gotten deep into that work yet, and so I'm not ready to2483be able to commit that we won't close any stations, but there2484is a statutory process if the Coast Guard were to move forward2485with any closure of stations that includes public comment and2486input. And we know that the members of the public are very2487interested in the Coast Guard facilities and stations in their2488communities. So, thank you, Senator.2489    Senator Baldwin. And please keep me apprised. I know that2490our communities in Wisconsin that could be impacted by closures2491would be very eager to provide input. You heard from my2492colleague about the Port of Duluth. We call it the Twin Ports2493of Duluth and Superior.2494    [Laughter.]2495    Senator Klobuchar. Please correct the record, Mr. Chair.2496    [Laughter.]2497    Senator Baldwin. And so, we hope that if you visit Duluth,2498you'll also visit Superior, Wisconsin, but I want to seriously2499focus, as my colleague did, on the existence of only one heavy2500Coast Guard icebreaker in the Great Lakes. There are certainly2501smaller icebreakers that are there, but when we're talking2502about early winter and late winter commerce, we have a need for2503an additional heavy icebreaker. I think about when we've had2504heavy ice in the Great Lakes, the negative impact on commerce.2505It can affect billions of dollars in commerce and tens of2506thousands of jobs in the Great Lake Region. And over the last2507several years, I have advocated for both authorization of a2508second heavy Coast Guard icebreaker, but also funding to get2509that process moving. You know, there's a lot of discussion of2510recent investment in Coast Guard assets, but I have seen2511progress on the heavy icebreaker really slow at the very same2512time. And so, if confirmed, will you commit to prioritizing2513this project so that the Great Lakes can be more accessible to2514commerce?2515    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you. If confirmed by the2516Senate, I will commit to prioritizing the acquisition of a2517second Great Lakes icebreaker, given the importance in the2518Great Lakes.2519    Senator Baldwin. I appreciate that very much. Finally,2520supporting Strong by America standards is a top priority for2521me, especially when it comes to the areas under this2522committee's jurisdiction. Making sure that Coast Guard ships,2523their components, their equipment are produced in the United2524States guarantees that Coast Guardsmen are getting the absolute2525best products while providing well-paying jobs to Americans.2526I've been particularly concerned over the last several years2527with irregularities in Coast Guard procurement and have2528questioned whether the Coast Guard is fully adhering to Buy2529America requirements. So, Admiral Lunday, if confirmed, will2530you commit to following all of the Buy America requirements for2531Coast Guard procurement in law?2532    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you for the question. I2533will--I will commit to complying with the law related to2534construction of Coast Guard cutters and assets in the United2535States. I would note that for the Arctic Security Cutter2536Program, the President, under the President's authority, made2537an announcement on the 9th of October about the construction,2538the need--national security need for construction of the first2539four of those overseas to be able to onshore the remaining2540program back into the United States in shipbuilding, but that2541was a specific action under the President's authority. The2542remainder of Coast Guard shipbuilding is conducted in Coast2543Guard shipyards--excuse me--in United States shipyards for2544Coast Guard cutters.2545    Senator Baldwin. Thank you. I yield, Mr. Chairman.2546    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Sullivan.25472548                STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,2549                    U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA25502551    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral, great2552to see you again. Appreciated our meeting yesterday.2553Congratulations, and I want to congratulate and thank your2554wife, LyndaLee, as well, the master chief of the Coast Guard,2555who's here. I've appreciated you coming up to Alaska many times2556already. I'd love to see you more. We love our Coast Guard in2557Alaska. You know, I don't like bragging about Alaska, but I2558always do. So, we have more coastline than the rest of the2559country combined, so the Coast Guard is really important, and--2560--2561    The Chairman. Did you just say you don't like bragging2562about Alaska?2563    Senator Sullivan. I do like bragging about Alaska. I'm2564sorry.2565    [Laughter.]2566    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and you love2567hearing it. And by the way, I want to really thank, and this is2568Alaska/Texas issue, the rescue missions you've done in our2569recent--the typhoon in Alaska, the big floods in Texas, just2570heroic efforts. You and our National Guard, Coast Guard members2571saved 51 people in Alaska. Didn't make any news. You saved 512572lives. It's just unbelievable. Crews operated in the middle of2573a typhoon, isolated, flooded communities, no infrastructure. It2574was just incredible, so can you please pass on my thanks, the2575Committee's thanks for the great work you're doing?2576    Admiral Lunday. I will, Senator. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.2577Chairman.2578    Senator Sullivan. And when I thanked them, I told them,2579look, it's never been a better time to be in the Coast Guard.2580The Chairman and I worked very closely with Secretary Noem and2581you, sir, on the budget reconciliation bill, the biggest2582investment in Coast Guard history, $25 billion. By the way, I2583just walked past the Senate Liaison Office, this giant sign of2584the Coast Guard outside your Senate Liaison Office, ``Historic2585investment.'' That's what's happening. It's great, and part of2586that, Senator Cruz already talked about 16 icebreakers in the2587budget reconciliation bill. We need it. As you know, the number2588I actually have, the Russians have 54 icebreakers, many of2589which are nuclear powered, weaponized. The Chinese, I think,2590have more heavies than we do. We have two heavies right now and2591one is broken, so we got a lot of work to do.2592    I want to thank President Trump, who has been very focused2593on closing this icebreaker gap, as we call it in Alaska, but as2594you mentioned, the Russians and Chinese are all over my state2595in the Arctic. We've had six Russian incursions in our ADIZ2596since August. And as you mentioned, we had rush--Chinese ships2597``doing research'' in the Arctic, also known as spying in the2598Arctic, and off the coast of Alaska all summer. So, the Indo--2599the ice pack event was a great event yesterday to--essentially,2600what we want, and I know you want, to build icebreakers and2601deploy them and home port them very quickly. Can I get your2602commitment to work with this committee on doing just that?2603    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, if confirmed by the Senate, I2604will work with this committee to do that, yes, sir.2605    Senator Sullivan. And now, in terms of home porting2606icebreakers, especially the heavies and the mediums, I can't2607imagine any scenario where you wouldn't home port icebreakers2608where the ice actually is and where our adversaries are. That2609hasn't always been the case. As you and I talked about2610yesterday, when I was the Chair of the Coast Guard2611Subcommittee--I'm still the Chair right now--when the Coast2612Guard a few years ago--you were involved with this--announced2613that it would home port all three heavy ice breakers in Seattle2614over 2,000 miles away from the ice, I learned about it in a2615press release, which I didn't like. So, there was zero2616consultation with me as the Chairman of this committee. Can I2617get your commitment to--well, do you agree that was just2618unacceptable for the Chairman of the Coast Guard Committee to2619learn about the home porting of icebreakers in a press release?2620    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, I wasn't involved in that----2621    Senator Sullivan. I know.2622    Admiral Lunday.--but I think that it's important we consult2623with the Committee.2624    Senator Sullivan. Yes, it was unacceptable. Let me--let me2625ask to get your commitment to work with me and this committee2626on the home porting of the medium icebreakers and where we're2627going to home port those? Can I get your commitment to do that?2628    Admiral Lunday. Yes, Mr. Chairman.2629    Senator Sullivan. And look, I know the Coast Guard is2630working on home porting plans right now. Is there any scenario2631in which a significant numbers of these medium icebreakers--we2632have a lot for the Great Lakes already--the heavies are going2633to go to Seattle, which, again, I don't think makes a lot of2634sense, but whatever. You guys made that decision, but is there2635any scenario in which a significant number of these medium2636icebreakers would not be home stationed in the Arctic, in the2637state where the ice is, in the state where our adversaries are,2638and our adversaries are up in Alaska, in the Arctic a lot. Can2639you imagine any scenario where that would happen?2640    Admiral Lunday. Well, Mr. Chairman, we haven't made any2641decisions on home porting yet, but we look forward to working2642with you as the Chair and other Members of Congress on that2643decisionmaking process. You and I were--and I want to thank you2644for being with us in August along with the Deputy Secretary2645that commissioned the First Coast Guard icebreaker, Storis,2646that will be home ported in Juneau. We're very excited about2647that.2648    Senator Sullivan. Great. Well, look, I--again, I want to2649get your commitment, and I already have it, worked closely with2650this committee. No blindsides for sure as what happened on the2651heavies, which I didn't appreciate, but I appreciate your2652commitment there. Just one final question. We talked about2653yesterday the delivery and timeline for the two OPCs slated for2654Kodiak. Are they still expected to be hulls number three and2655four? Kodiak has the largest Coast Guard base in the country.2656Do you know what the timeline is on those, Admiral?2657    Admiral Lunday. Mr. Chairman, I don't have the exact2658timeline, but the third and fourth OPCs that are delivered to2659the Coast Guard will go to--be home ported in Kodiak.2660    Admiral Lunday. Great, and I want to thank you again. I2661think you're extremely well qualified. We need to get you2662confirmed ASAP. There's so much work to do in the Coast Guard2663right now. It's a super exciting time to be in the Coast Guard.2664The Congress of the United States has said enough of this, as2665we talked about yesterday, hey, the Coast Guard has this--which2666I think is admirable, but this ethos of, hey, we're going to do2667more with less. Well, if you got 50-year-old cutters and 60-2668year-old icebreakers, you can't do more with less. So, we said,2669no, you're going to do more with more, and that's why this bill2670that we just passed is really exciting, and it's a great time2671to be in the Coast Guard. And I think you're going to be an2672exceptional leader, and we need to get you confirmed ASAP.2673Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2674    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Kim.26752676                  STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM,2677                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY26782679    Senator Kim. Thank you, Chairman. Admiral, thank you for2680coming before us, and thank you for your service to our2681country. I wanted to just get a little more clarity from you in2682terms of the protocols when it comes to interceptions of drug2683smuggling boats. So, if you don't mind, can you walk me2684through, just as a--Coast Guard is approaching a drug smuggling2685boat, what are the next steps that happen in terms of their2686protocol?2687    Admiral Lunday. Thank you for the question, Senator. So,2688typically, the Coast Guard is performing our drug interdiction2689mission as a maritime law enforcement under our maritime law2690enforcement authority on the high seas, whether that's in the2691Eastern Pacific or the Caribbean or other locations, but2692principally in those areas. We normally receive information2693that could be from surveillance aircraft or other means that2694there is a suspected drug smuggling boat that is headed north,2695and then we will interdict that boat. Sometimes we use an armed2696helicopter to disable the boat, and then we will go aboard,2697seize the boat, and typically take a representative--or take2698the samples, the cocaine that's on the boat, if we can recover2699it. We'll destroy the boat as a hazard to navigation, and then2700we'll take the detainees who were operating the boat, and we'll2701process them and then--and then we'll take them to wherever2702they're going to go.2703    Senator Kim. So, arrest and then seek to prosecute. You2704said an armed helicopter. Is there a protocol for the Coast2705Guard to fire upon a ship if they--with lethal force if2706unprovoked?2707    Admiral Lunday. Our normal use of the Helicopter2708Interdiction Tactical Squadron, which are the helicopters, very2709specialized crews that do this work, and they are trained and2710they're effective at disabling the engines. The time they would2711use lethal force is if they were fired upon from the drug2712smuggling boat under our mode of operating as a law enforcement2713agency.2714    Senator Kim. But without being provoked, does the Coast2715Guard have legal authority to destroy a boat or to kill the2716crew with lethal force if there has not been a provocation?2717    Admiral Lunday. Well, Senator, we're operating out there2718under our Coast Guard law enforcement authority as a law2719enforcement agency--a maritime law enforcement agency. And so,2720that's not within our authority as a law enforcement agency2721during our Coast Guard operations under the Department of2722Homeland Security's authority.2723    Senator Kim. In your tenure so far leading up to Coast2724Guard, has anyone from the Trump administration asked you if2725the Coast Guard is able to take action that would be against2726drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean?2727    Admiral Lunday. Under our Coast Guard law enforcement2728authority, we're continuing our maritime law enforcement2729operations, both in the Caribbean and in the Eastern Pacific.2730    Senator Kim. Have they asked you whether or not you're able2731to use lethal force against these boats unprovoked?2732    Admiral Lunday. No, Senator, I haven't had that discussion2733about the Coast Guard doing that as a maritime law enforcement2734agency.2735    Senator Kim. Does the Coast Guard--has the Coast Bar--Coast2736Guard been asked to provide resources or assets to the current2737military buildup in the Caribbean?2738    Admiral Lunday. Well, Senator, the Coast Guard is a proud2739member at all times of military service and part of the armed2740forces, the joint force, and we regularly provide our forces to2741operate under combatant commands around the world, including2742U.S. Cyber Command, Northern Command, Southern Command, Indo-2743Pacific Command. When they operate in that mode, they operate2744under the authority of the Secretary of War, the Department of2745War. And so, for any of the--those military operations, I would2746refer you to the Department of War.2747    Senator Kim. OK. Thank you. In terms of questions that2748were--came up earlier about the Indo-Pacific Senator Wicker and2749others have asked, I guess I just wanted to ask you, are we2750doing enough in the Indo-Pacific when it comes to the Coast2751Guard actions?2752    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator, because the Indo-2753Pacific for the United States Coast Guard is not just an area2754somewhere over there. For us, that's the U.S. homeland as2755well----2756    Senator Kim. Mm-hmm.2757    Admiral Lunday.--not only because of the State of Hawaii,2758but also our three U.S. territories in addition in the Pacific,2759and so that's the homeland. And so, we have a responsibility to2760protect that border in the maritime approaches as well. I had2761the privilege of serving out in the Oceania District based in2762Hawaii from 2018 to 2020, and during my time, we added nine2763additional cutters permanently based--Coast Guard cutters in2764the Indo-Pacific because of the importance of our operations2765there. And with the support of Congress in Fiscal Year 2024, we2766have two additional fast response cutters that will be2767permanently based out there in Guam.2768    Senator Kim. And do you think that that level of resourcing2769and additions is enough?2770    Admiral Lunday. Well, it's a--it continues to move us in2771the right direction, but I don't know that it is enough,2772Senator. I think we need more support. In fact we--in the2773President's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, there's a request2774for an additional significant investment in operating funds2775specifically for the Indo-Pacific to increase our operations2776out there.2777    Senator Kim. Well, I hope to be able to work with you on2778that. I think it's incredibly important to make sure that we're2779maintaining and building up that capacity. Thank you, Admiral.2780    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator.2781    Senator Kim. With that, I'll yield back.2782    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Budd.27832784                  STATEMENT OF HON. TED BUDD,2785                U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA27862787    Senator Budd. Thank you, Chairman. Admiral, congrats on2788your nomination. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow in the2789office. You know, in the One Big Beautiful Bill, it provided2790$24.6 million of investment in the Coast Guard, and this2791included $266 million in funds for long-range unmanned aircraft2792systems. So, Admiral, if confirmed, how will you use the new2793UAS assets to more effectively perform the Coast Guard's2794missions, especially in drug and migrant interdiction?2795    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you for the question. So, we2796are looking at what the spend plan will be, which assets we2797will purchase for the investment of long-range, unmanned aerial2798systems. I think as you know, we've operated for over a decade2799with Customs and Border Protection, part of a joint program2800office on the MQ-9 aircraft, but we're looking at other2801solutions as well. We're currently prototyping one off of San2802Diego that's proving very effective. It's a bit shorter--it's a2803longer range, but it's not quite as long range as the MQ-9. So,2804we're looking at different options to be able to move at speed2805and scale and deliver that capability.2806    Senator Budd. Is that some sort of a clean sheet design, or2807is that an existing UAS?2808    Admiral Lunday. It's an existing UAS, Senator.2809    Senator Budd. OK. Understood. I had a recent informative,2810very good visit with the ALC, or the Aviation Logistics Center,2811in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Very proud of what they do2812there. You know, that's the only depot-level aviation2813maintenance facility, as I understand, in the Coast Guard. The2814One Big Beautiful Bill, it included 200--or excuse me--$2.22815billion for depot-level maintenance facilities, as well as $3.42816billion for new MH-60 helicopters and CJ--or C-130J airplanes.2817How might these investments impact the ALC and the Coast Guard2818aviation fleet?2819    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator. Coast Guard aviation2820engineers are the best in the world, and our largest2821concentration of them is right there at Aviation Logistics2822Center in Eastern North Carolina, Elizabeth City. And so, the2823investment in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ALC--or the2824Logistics Center--will be key to that. First, we've already2825spent up to $80 million in the depot-level maintenance line2826item to fund current readiness gaps, and that includes2827restocking the inventory control point of critical parts for2828our fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and that's located right2829there in Elizabeth City. But as we talk about the acquisition2830of up to 40 MH-60 helicopters and six C-130Js, the depot-level2831maintenance, even some of the missionization that's required2832and the support to that, will happen right there in Elizabeth2833City at our--at our location.2834    Senator Budd. Very good. Thank you. I want to talk about2835some of your disaster response a little bit. So, Hurricane2836Helene devastated Western North Carolina, and we're still2837working on the recovery efforts there, but in the immediate2838aftermath of the storm about 14 months ago, Coast Guard2839responded, and, as I believe I understand it, you all saved2840about 21 lives across the Southeast, so excellent work there.2841Can you talk a little bit about Coast Guard's disaster response2842capabilities, particularly when you're responding to something2843that's more of an inland disaster?2844    Admiral Lunday. Yes, Senator. Thank you, and it was--it was2845very difficult to watch the devastating impact of Helene in2846Western North Carolina. So, our inland flood response2847capabilities and disaster response capabilities are in a number2848of ways. First of all, we use our helicopters and air crews to2849be able to fly over inland areas, particularly where a state2850needs assistance. We have authority--Coast Guard authority to2851be able to provide that assistance when requested. So, a good2852example of that was the terrible flooding on the 4th of July2853last year in Central Texas where we responded, as Chairman Cruz2854said, and successfully rescued people. For our response in2855Helene, most of that--the rescues of the 21 were closer along2856the Gulf Coast, but we did have a helicopter that went up and2857supported the National Guard and their rescue efforts in2858Western North Carolina. We also operate small skiffs that are2859powered by an outboard motor that are used for inland flooding2860areas, and those are available in a rapidly deployable--rapidly2861deployable mode, if requested, for disaster response.2862    Senator Budd. Thank you very much. Appreciate your time2863today and look forward to meeting soon. Chairman.2864    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator.2865    The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Cantwell.2866    Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2867Admiral Lunday, we had a chance yesterday to talk about the I-52868bridge, which is 108 years old, and if it's not operational, it2869will jeopardize $48 billion worth of freight and trucks over2870the bridge and barge that transport on the river. We discussed2871the fact that the Coast Guard needed to make a preliminary2872navigation clearance determination by January 16 or sooner.2873Will you commit to that deadline?2874    Admiral Lunday. Senator, I commit to being--coming out with2875an updated navigation determination by that date.2876    Senator Cantwell. Thank you. The seafood industry, Admiral,2877is incredibly important to us, 67,000 jobs. I've heard loud and2878clear from fishermen that protecting Coast Guard search and2879rescue is critical to their safety. That makes sense to you,2880correct? You already understand this mission, but do you have a2881plan to reopen the 23 search-and-rescue stations that were2882temporarily closed?2883    Admiral Lunday. Ranking Member Cantwell, we don't have a2884plan to currently reopen them. That's part of the assessment2885that the Secretary has directed in Force Design 2028, to look2886at our operating posture of Coast Guard forces as we look at2887the operating concepts as well.2888    Senator Cantwell. So, what do I tell my fishermen? What do2889we tell the fishermen about whether the Coast Guard is going to2890be on the beat if they get in a drastic situation?2891    Admiral Lunday. If there's someone in distress at sea,2892Ranking Member Cantwell, the Coast Guard will respond to those2893that are in distress.2894    Senator Cantwell. If the stations are closed and there are2895no resources close by?2896    Admiral Lunday. Ranking Member Cantwell, we've taken--as we2897took actions to address that shortage in our personnel and2898through the Force Alignment Initiative, we were very deliberate2899to making sure we still had adequate coverage, even across2900those areas where we were going to take a station that was2901seasonal and turn it into a forward-operating location that2902wasn't fully manned constantly, crewed constantly, or we took a2903response station and changed it to scheduled mission only. So,2904we were deliberate about the risk we were taking in those2905areas, so we minimized any impact on our ability to timely2906respond to mariners in distress.2907    Senator Cantwell. Well, I'd like to go over in more detail2908that plan with you since I represent a state with great2909coastline and great remoteness to--getting to a situation very2910timely when you think about the strait o Juan de Fuca or out on2911the Pacific, so I'll look forward to reviewing that with you.2912One of the other aspects of Coast Guard presence in the2913Northwest is the Cape Disappointment, critical to our--you2914know, important strategy for the region, but also for the Motor2915Life Boat School, which is really very impressive. I think2916everybody thinks of the Kevin Costner movie where he rescues2917people, but that's exactly what we train people to do at Cape2918D. So, we need a solution to new docks that accommodate2919replacement of 52s and a cutting-edge facility to support the2920workforce and training, and to help with critical2921infrastructure, like protecting the rescue capacity at Ilwaco2922by doing dredging. So, will you commit to those objectives?2923    Admiral Lunday. Ranking Member Cantwell, I will. You know,2924the Coast Guard boat drivers are the best in the world,2925including there at Cape Disappointment, where we train them.2926It's critically important. The Coast Guard is going to expend2927$110 million from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to address the2928dredging issue that you described in Ilwaco.2929    Senator Cantwell. Thank you.2930    Admiral Lunday. Rather than the continual dredging2931challenges, we spoke about a more permanent solution, and so2932we're going to work for a design that will be able to do that2933effectively.2934    Senator Cantwell. Well, I welcome you to visit that area of2935the state. I brought up in my opening statement obviously the2936challenges we faced about sexual assault and misconduct at the2937Academy. Do you support legislation that we passed out of this2938committee to improve Coast Guard oversight in response to2939sexual assault and misconduct, establishing an independent2940oversight, holding leaders accountable for misconduct,2941improving care for victims?2942    Admiral Lunday. Ranking Member Cantwell, I commit to, if2943confirmed by the Senate, working on any activity that will make2944the Coast Guard better able to combat and eliminate sexual2945assault from our organization.2946    Senator Cantwell. Would you approve a role of the Office of2947Chief Prosecutor because we've found that you need--you have to2948have intended oversight and independence for these sexual2949assault cases?2950    Admiral Lunday. Ranking Member Cantwell, we currently have,2951and have had since the changes to the National Defense2952Authorization and Military Justice Reform Act, we've had a flag2953officer who is our chief prosecutor in the Coast Guard who has2954the jurisdiction to prosecute those covered offenses. Just as2955in the other military services, they have a special trial2956counsel, so we are already implementing that.2957    Senator Cantwell. OK. So, a couple of other--so there were295833 recommendations outlined by the previous Commandant, so I2959assume that you will work on a timeline to complete those?2960    Admiral Lunday. I will, Ranking Member Cantwell. We've2961completed 24 of the 33, and we're working to complete the2962remaining ones, and I look forward to briefing you on those.2963When those are done, we will not be finished because we're2964going to keep taking aggressive action to combat and eliminate2965sexual assault, not only care for the victims who are victims2966of this terrible and violent crime that is a cancer on our2967readiness, but also to make sure we have justice, that we2968investigate and prosecute those who commit these crimes and2969hold them fully accountable under the law.2970    Senator Cantwell. Admiral, thank you for that very strong2971statement. Very much appreciate it. Two really quick things.2972There's some talk about tsunami warning systems being canceled.2973I would assume you really appreciate tsunami warning systems in2974the Coast Guard?2975    Admiral Lunday. I wasn't aware of that, Ranking Member2976Cantwell, but we rely on tsunami warning because of the Coast2977Guard units around the Pacific Rim.2978    Senator Cantwell. And then we had a chance to talk about2979fentanyl and the challenges facing us with fentanyl, and the2980inter-cooperation between Federal and State and local agencies.2981Do you support those kind of efforts?2982    Admiral Lunday. I do, Ranking Member Cantwell. On the 29th2983of January, I directed a focused effort to combat fentanyl2984trafficking that came from our discussion in the hearing on2985countering drugs last year before the Committee. And so, we2986have increased by over 41 percent our multi-agency strike force2987operations targeting fentanyl and precursor shipments in the2988commercial shipping in our ports, and that relies on a very2989strong relationship with State and local law enforcement----2990    Senator Cantwell. Thank you.2991    Admiral Lunday.--as well as other Federal partners.2992    Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2993    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Blunt Rochester.29942995            STATEMENT OF HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER,2996                   U.S. SENATOR FROM DELAWARE29972998    Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and2999Ranking Member Cantwell. Admiral, congratulations to you and3000your family, and I thank you for the meeting yesterday as well3001as our past briefings.3002    As a new member of the Senate, one of the greatest honors3003for me was to be named Ranking Member of the Coast Guard,3004Maritime, and Fishery Subcommittee. I take great pride in this3005role and take it very seriously. You know, as we discussed, I3006want to ensure that there is partnership and that we uphold the3007highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and3008accountability, and that we are fully committed to the well-3009being of our service members and their families. I also shared3010with you, you know, concerns about the Coast Guard not being3011politicized. The termination of Admiral Fagan left a poor taste3012for many. The purchase of the two luxury jets, I shared, causes3013concerns, even though we know there are some challenges with3014the current planes that you have. And again, what I appreciated3015in the conversation was you focusing on making sure that you3016are mission ready, mission critical, you're apolitical, and3017that you're just here to serve the American people, and so3018hearing your vision was also very important to me as well.3019    And I recently had the honor of visiting Sector Delaware3020Bay at the Indian River Inlet, and I was proud to meet some3021really incredible individuals who love what they're doing and3022really are making a difference. I got a chance to talk to them3023about some of the concerns and the challenges that they have as3024well, and one of the top priorities for me has been affordable3025housing, and for many of them, that is a huge challenge. And3026so, I wanted to make sure I put that on the record and also3027just ask, what steps is the Coast Guard taking to ensure3028members assigned to high-cost-of-living or high-vacation-rental3029markets can obtain safe, affordable housing in the communities3030they serve? Delaware, we're on that coast--excuse me--and it's3031really expensive, so.3032    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Ranking Member Blunt Rochester.3033First, I just want to make sure I had addressed something you3034said in the beginning of the question, the purchase of the two3035C-37 long-range command and control aircraft.3036    Senator Blunt Rochester. Yes.3037    Admiral Lunday. The Coast Guard operates, as part of our3038fleet of fixed-wing military aircraft, long-range command and3039control aircraft, either military aircraft that we use for3040command and control, secure, reliable, on-demand military3041transport and secure communications for the Secretary, the3042deputy, and the senior leadership of the Coast Guard. So, that3043is part of the operational fleet we've always operated in.3044That's what we're purchasing, but your question----3045    Senator Blunt Rochester. Didn't you say they were--3046actually, they have to be outfitted and refitted and3047retrofitted to make them military ready, correct?3048    Admiral Lunday. Yes, Ranking Member. They require a3049missionization process to turn them into the military aircraft3050that we'll use them for. To your question on the housing, thank3051you for that question because that's critical to taking care of3052our people. We have three key areas that we're focused on in3053improving available--access to available and affordable3054housing. The first one is making sure that the housing3055allowances accurately reflect the cost of living, so one way to3056do that is we've increased the number of critical housing3057areas. That enables--if there's not enough available housing in3058the market, it enables a Coast Guard person to have their3059family live elsewhere, and then they get the benefit of the3060higher housing allowance in the other location. Second way is3061improving Coast Guard-leased housing that members can live in,3062and then the third way is building Coast Guard housing in a3063place like Kodiak, Alaska, where we just opened a new housing3064area where there's no other housing available.3065    Senator Blunt Rochester. And I know that there had been an3066inaugural nationwide housing satisfaction survey. Will you3067continue to do that, you know, continue to have regular3068structured feedback so that you can hear from the members3069themselves and also tailor your housing policy and allotment3070resources?3071    Admiral Lunday. We will, Ranking Member. The housing survey3072is very important. What's also really important is traveling3073around and meeting with the crews, and not just the crews, the3074master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, and then3075LyndaLee will travel with me. She'll often hear from the family3076members, and they sometimes tell a different story than the3077everything's great story that the crew members tell me, and3078oftentimes she'll hear about housing issues that she'll take3079right to me, and we'll take action on it.3080    Senator Blunt Rochester. Excellent, and last, I wanted to3081talk about supply chains. We talked a little bit about that and3082our supply chain legislation, but as you know, the Coast Guard,3083especially the cyber protection teams, play an integral role in3084improving the resilience of the maritime transportation system3085and coastal infrastructure, which are key to our supply chains.3086Admiral, how will you leverage the Coast Guard's cybersecurity3087capabilities to protect our ports and supply chains, knowing3088that state actors, like China or North Korea, continue to3089evolve in this space? And we can follow up with what is your3090strategic vision for that as well, as it pertains to supply3091chains?3092    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Ranking Member. So, first, we're3093using our regulatory authority. We have new regulations out3094on--cyber regulations to improve the cybersecurity of U.S.3095facilities and shipping, and so that's just gone into effect,3096and that's groundbreaking regulation that's going to improve3097the baseline standard of cybersecurity and hygiene. The second3098one that you mentioned is deploying our Coast Guard Cyber3099Protection teams. These are expert teams that, under our3100authority, are able to deploy on U.S. critical infrastructure3101to harden infrastructure and make sure we are resilient in our3102supply chain. And then also, that signals to potential3103adversaries that they will be unable to hold our critical3104infrastructure at risk, that it will be resilient and we'll be3105to defend ourselves in cyberspace.3106    Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you so much, and best of3107luck to you, Admiral.3108    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Ranking Member.3109    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Markey.31103111               STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,3112                U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS31133114    Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your3115service, sir. I've long worked closely with my colleagues,3116Senator Sullivan and Senator Wicker, on this committee to3117support the Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and3118Training Program. This program is authorized through the annual3119Coast Guard bill and is administered through a memorandum of3120understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services.3121The program works with trusted local partners who understand3122the health and the safety needs of our commercial fishermen.3123Fishermen face major mental and physical burdens in their work,3124and services from the Fishing Safety Program are proven to save3125lives. So, Admiral Lunday, do you agree that fishing safety3126programs can help prevent catastrophes at sea?3127    Admiral Lunday. Senator, I agree. They're very important to3128prevent us from having to go out on a search-and-rescue case if3129we can. The best search and rescue case is one that never3130happens because of safe--fishing safety programs like the one3131you described.3132    Senator Markey. Thank you, and if confirmed, would you3133support the ongoing implementation of the Fishing Safety3134Program?3135    Admiral Lunday. Senator, if confirmed, I look forward to3136working with you on advancing that program.3137    Senator Markey. Thank you. That's very helpful. Under the3138Deepwater Port Act, the Coast Guard jointly processes deepwater3139port license applications with the Maritime Administration.3140These deepwater ports are set up primarily to export massive3141amounts of fossil fuels. This raises prices for Americans at3142home and puts our health, ocean, and environment in peril just3143to boost profits for Big Oil and Big Gas. Under the most recent3144Coast Guard Authorization Act, the Coast Guard would transfer3145its authority to act as the lead agency on environmental3146reviews of deepwater ports to MARAD. Admiral Lunday, is it true3147that the Coast Guard has 50 years of expertise in understanding3148the construction, the operation, the environmental impacts of3149deepwater ports?3150    Admiral Lunday. Senator, the Coast Guard has significant3151experience with deepwater ports, but MARAD owns the primary3152responsibility, including for managing the National3153Environmental Policy Act process. The Coast Guard's been3154supporting MARAD through that process, but, essentially, that3155is under their authority as MARAD.3156    Senator Markey. Well, if the Coast Guard gives up its3157decades-long expertise and authority in this area and it's then3158the understaffed Maritime Administration, especially as Big Oil3159and Big Gas are demanding more exports than ever, we need to3160actively strengthen MARAD's capabilities. They're not strong3161enough right now, and we're removing the Coast Guard from the3162equation in terms of ensuring that safety is, in fact, made3163prime--given primacy. So, I've introduced the NO SPILLS Act to3164push MARAD to be more vigilant in its licensing activities to3165better protect the American public from spills and price3166spikes. I think it's a mistake to remove 50 years of expertise3167from this process, especially as we're seeing an expansion.3168It's only going to get more and more dangerous. We should have3169learned from Deepwater Horizon that these accidents can occur,3170and you need the smartest, most experienced people on the job.3171And by removing the Coast Guard and having an Agency without3172the full level of personnel which they need, it's almost like3173we're putting this whole area into a regulatory black hole, and3174it's going to be very dangerous because we've seen from past3175experience how the oil and gas industry just continues to move3176forward because of their profits, regardless of the dangers3177that we see out on the open ocean. So, I thank you, Mr.3178Chairman, and thank you again, Admiral for your service.3179    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator.3180    The Chairman. Thank you very much. Senator Peters.31813182                STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,3183                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN31843185    Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral Lunday,3186it's good to see you here today. Congratulations on your3187nomination and certainly enjoyed the time we spent in my3188office. And I understand a number of my colleagues have already3189raised the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund3190Fitzgerald. Was a--was a big story in Michigan years ago, 503191years ago, and is one that people continue to remember, and it3192certainly reminds us of how dangerous Lake Superior can be and3193the importance of the Coast Guard's critical prevention. Your3194search-and-rescue missions are vitally needed. And as you know,3195folks in Michigan love the Coast Guard, and you've been to the3196``Coast Guard City'' there and have made many trips as you--as3197we talked about.3198    And I also want to just reiterate--you've addressed this3199question a few times, but I want to just reiterate the concerns3200that I have about some permanent closures for Coast Guard units3201in the Great Lakes. My concern is primarily in Michigan, and we3202want to make sure that those are there because they are--they3203are--provide a critical service. And I know there are going to3204be some operational adjustments that are going to be announced,3205but we are going to be anticipating some of those. But if you3206could say a little bit about that and how you see the services3207being provided to Michiganders, particularly given the fact3208that, as we talked about in my office, you have--experiencing3209record recruitment, which is a--certainly a hats-off to the men3210and women in the Coast Guard, that folks want to be a part of a3211great service. With those extra folks coming in, will that3212potentially lead to additional support for your facilities in3213the State of Michigan?3214    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you for your question, and3215thank you for sharing in our meeting yesterday the letters from3216your constituents about their strong support for the Coast3217Guard. I was able to read those last night, and so I appreciate3218having that direct feedback from your constituents and our3219neighbors and the communities we live and work in in Michigan,3220and you noted the strong recruiting success, and we have. We've3221recruited more in this year than any other time since 1991, and3222the caliber of those young men and women--we just sponsored a3223recruit class--LyndaLee, Chief Master of the Coast Guard Nye--3224and the caliber of those young men and women are--is3225remarkable, the best I've ever seen.3226    Senator Peters. Great.3227    Admiral Lunday. You asked about the--our presence in3228Michigan going forward. So, we took a step several years ago to3229reduce--because we had such a shortage, reduce our footprint in3230the operating status of several of those stations. That remains3231a temporary situation, but we are directed now in Force Design3232to assess our operating concept and our entire force structure3233everywhere the Coast Guard is located. We haven't gotten far3234into that analysis yet. We owe that recommendation and report3235to the Secretary, and we're just beginning that work. But an3236important part of that will be making sure we understand what3237the concerns of those in the communities and the Senate here3238and the rest of Congress are in terms of the--our facilities3239and--throughout the United States, especially in Michigan, to3240your question, Senator.3241    Senator Peters. Great. No, I appreciate that, and I--and I3242appreciate you referencing the letters which I have brought.3243Mr. Chairman I would ask you unanimous consent that I have--3244these letters are entered into the record talking about--3245concerns about manning at various locations throughout the3246State of Michigan.3247    The Chairman. Without objection.3248    Senator Peters. Thank you.3249    [The information referred to follows:]32503251[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]32523253    Senator Peters. In our office meeting, Admiral, we talked3254about a variety of issues, including some of the visits to3255facilities in Michigan. And one I would like you to talk a3256little bit about is the Great Lakes Center for Oil Expertise3257and the concern about oil spills in the Great Lakes, and the3258fact that we still need to learn a lot more about how we deal3259with oil and fresh water. There's a lot of knowledge regarding3260that for salt water, but fresh water presents a unique set of3261challenges, and when you think about the Great Lakes providing3262drinking water to over 40 million people, that's particularly3263important. Could you share with the Committee your--kind of3264your takeaways from your visit to that center and how you3265believe it continues to really be involved in a critical3266mission?3267    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you for asking, and thanks3268for the support to create that center and have it be--and its3269work and its mission that it's focused on. I was able to go up3270there when I was commanding Coast Guard Atlantic Area. I went3271up in January 2023 to visit the region and then also visit that3272Center of Expertise, and I learned the important work that they3273do there to understand the critical nature of the Great Lakes3274system, not only from a national security perspective and its3275Northern border, but also what a potential oil spill or other3276environmental damage, such as invasive species, could create in3277the Great Lakes. And so, the importance of that work informs3278our understanding of risk and then the ability to prevent3279activities that could cause that damage, and then be ready to3280successfully respond to it, such as an oil spill.3281    Senator Peters. Wonderful. Chairman, I have one brief3282question. May I be allowed to ask?3283    The Chairman. Yes.3284    Senator Peters. Admiral, Coast Guard personnel, including3285those in Michigan, have reported to me about some significant3286challenges in obtaining housing, particularly in areas of high3287demand for seasonal and vacation rentals, which we have along3288our lakes, and that certainly affects their ability to find3289affordable housing. Just a quick question. What actions do you3290plan to take to address some of the housing challenges facing3291Coast Guard personnel, specifically in Michigan and some of our3292high-tourist areas with expensive real estate? But clearly,3293it's a problem in other places around the country.3294    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator, because housing is3295critical to the readiness of our families and their ability to3296be ready to get the mission done. So, the--one of the first3297things we did was we made sure that the information that feeds3298into the broader system that all the military services use to3299calculate our basic allowance for housing is accurate3300information. And so, one of the things the Great Lakes District3301Commander at the time did several years ago was paid a company3302to gather that data that was more accurate, and then we could3303input that into the system so that it could more accurately3304reflect the outcome and the cost of housing. Another parallel3305effort is to--is to designate additional critical housing areas3306that enable personnel, if there's an area where housing isn't3307available, enable those personnel to have their family, if3308necessary, in another area, and then take advantage of that3309higher housing allowance for the other area. And then the other3310area we're looking at is expanded use of government-leased3311housing, where the Coast Guard leases housing and then members3312come into the area, and rather than spending time and effort3313trying to find housing where it's not available, we already3314have a home or apartments or a block of homes that they can3315live in. But it is a challenge because our personnel don't3316typically live, with rare exception, on large bases, and there3317are none in Michigan.3318    Senator Peters. Right, right. Well, I appreciate your3319attention to that and your focus. Thank you, Admiral, for that.3320    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Senator.3321    Senator Peters. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.3322    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Lujan.33233324               STATEMENT OF HON. BEN RAY LUJAN,3325                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO33263327    Senator Lujan. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Admiral,3328for years I've been pushing one administration after another to3329go after the cartels and drug trafficking. We all represent a3330lot of people who have lost their lives and others that are3331preyed upon, and I've also been after administrations to say3332that they should be going after financial institutions in a3333meaningful way that are suspected of laundering money for3334cartels. A lot of those folks, they just pay a fine, no one3335ever goes to jail, and it just becomes the cost of doing3336business. Something has to be done in this space, so any3337attention brought to stopping this nonsense, I appreciate.3338    Now, with that, I have a lot of questions, and there's no3339clarity that I'm aware of that has been shared from the3340administration to Members of Congress, outside of maybe one3341small interaction that was available to a few members of the3342U.S. Senate in the area where Senator Kim, I think, asked you3343some questions about the military strikes on vessels in the3344Caribbean and the Pacific. I think 83 people have been killed3345to date, if I have the number correct, unless something3346happened from my walk over from where I was to where I am3347today. My question, Admiral, is, yes or no, does the U.S. Coast3348Guard have a role in these military strikes on vessels in the3349Caribbean or Pacific?3350    Admiral Lunday. Senator, thank you for the question. So,3351under our Coast Guard maritime law enforcement authority, we're3352not involved in the Department of War's operations that you're3353describing. That's under the Department of War, Senator.3354    Senator Lujan. Yes or no, are you aware of the Department3355of--I'm still going to call it Department of Defense--is3356utilizing the U.S. Coast Guard's Title 14 law enforcement3357authorities to conduct these strikes?3358    Admiral Lunday. Senator, I'm not aware of that at all.3359    Senator Lujan. Yes or no, as a lawyer and career Coast3360Guard officer, do you believe these strikes fall within U.S.3361and international law?3362    Admiral Lunday. Well, Senator, those strikes you're3363describing are being carried out under the Department of War's3364authority, and so I'll defer to them for questions about the3365authority for that military activity.3366    Senator Lujan. You're the top person at the Coast Guard,3367aren't you, sir?3368    Admiral Lunday. I'm the Acting Commandant, yes, sir, that's3369correct.3370    Senator Lujan. You're also a lawyer?3371    Admiral Lunday. Yes, sir, that's correct.3372    Senator Lujan. You're a career Coast Guard officer?3373    Admiral Lunday. Yes, Senator.3374    Senator Lujan. Probably one of the most knowledgeable3375people serving in the Coast Guard today about all these3376activities. I'll ask the question one more time in case there3377might be an answer. Yes or no, as a lawyer and career Coast3378Guard officer, do you believe these strikes fall within U.S.3379and international law?3380    Admiral Lunday. Senator, my focus as the Acting Commandant3381and, if confirmed, the future Commandant, my focus is on our3382operations under Coast Guard maritime law enforcement3383authority, not the Department of War's operations. I will defer3384to the Department of War to answer the questions on their3385military activities that you're describing, sir.3386    Senator Lujan. Admiral, have you been pulled into any3387meetings around this?3388    Admiral Lunday. I have not been involved in meetings3389regarding those military activities specifically, no, Senator.3390    Senator Lujan. The Secretary of Defense--as you refer to,3391the Secretary of War, Secretary Hegseth--has not had a3392conversation with you about these strikes?3393    Admiral Lunday. I have not had a conversation with3394Secretary Hegseth about these strikes, no, Senator.3395    Senator Lujan. Is this Coast Guard responsibility in the3396Caribbean and the Pacific? You have responsibilities in this3397area?3398    Admiral Lunday. We do, Senator. So, the Coast Guard3399provides--under our maritime law enforcement authority and our3400capabilities, we're continuing to execute the direction of the3401Secretary of Homeland Security for our traditional counter-drug3402mission under law enforcement authority. That's one of a series3403of instruments that are available to the President, and so we3404are continuing the activities under our authority and making3405record seizures of drugs. In fact, this morning, the Coast3406Guard cutter Stone is offloading in Florida a record amount of3407drugs--cocaine--that they seized in the Eastern Pacific as part3408of Operation Pacific Viper that the chairman described.3409    Senator Lujan. And this is the Coast Guard's mission?3410    Admiral Lunday. That's a Coast Guard mission and operation.3411    Senator Lujan. I applaud--I applaud you for that. Let's3412turn there. So, I agree that the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to3413interdict vessels has been effective, as you pointed out just3414this morning, but in 2025, the numbers I have is you disrupted3415over 402 metric tons of cocaine, an estimated value of $7.23416billion. I applaud that. Yes or no, do the Coast Guard's3417interdiction operations yield intelligence opportunities beyond3418the immediate outcomes of an individual mission?3419    Admiral Lunday. Our interdiction operations--our maritime3420law enforcement operations do yield intelligence. Yes, they do,3421Senator.3422    Senator Lujan. Do interdiction efforts contribute to a3423stable global trade system and help prevent piracy and3424smuggling?3425    Admiral Lunday. Our operations do, yes, sir.3426    Senator Lujan. Have they resulted in intelligence that can3427be used to dismantle networks and prosecute the individuals3428involved?3429    Admiral Lunday. Yes, sir. Traditionally, over the years, we3430have gathered intelligence that is fed into the investigative3431cycle, and that work continues today with the interdictions3432that I've described this calendar year that we've conducted.3433    Senator Lujan. I appreciate that. It sounds like this is3434all in the mission of the Coast Guard. I'm just surprised that3435the Secretary of Defense/Secretary of War, they not even talked3436to you about this. That sounds disrespectful. That sounds3437irresponsible.3438    Admiral Lunday. Senator, I would say----3439    Senator Lujan. I'm not asking a question, Admiral. I3440apologize, sir. I'm out of time. Chairman's going to take it3441from you here in a second. I hope that gets corrected. I hope3442the Secretary appreciates your expertise, your service to our3443country, what you have achieved and what you have done, and is3444willing to pull you in. So, you know, Mr. Secretary, if you're3445out there, if you're listening to this, you know, give you the3446benefit of the doubt. If you've ignored the Admiral, give him a3447holler, pull him in, have a good conversation, and learn from3448this wise person. I yield back, sir.3449    The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Lujan. Admiral Lunday, my3450final question is required of all nominees. If confirmed, do3451you pledge to work collaboratively with this committee to3452provide thorough and timely responses to the Committee's3453requests and to appear before the Committee when requested?3454    Admiral Lunday. Yes, Mr. Chairman.3455    The Chairman. Thank you. Senators will have until the close3456of business on November 21 to submit questions for the record.3457The nominee will have until the close of business on November345824 to respond to those questions.3459    That concludes today's hearing. The Committee stands3460adjourned.3461    Admiral Lunday. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3462    [Whereupon, at 12:29 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.]34633464                            A P P E N D I X34653466     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to3467                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday3468    Question 1. Admiral Lunday, what is the status of joint U.S. Coast3469Guard and Customs and Border Protection coordination for procuring and3470deploying long-duration and long-range unmanned aircraft to support3471missions such as border patrol, maritime domain awareness, and drug3472interdiction?3473    Answer. We are evaluating all Long-Range Unmanned Aircraft System3474(UAS) options to meet Coast Guard missions. Separately, the Coast Guard3475and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue to jointly operate3476CBP's MQ-9 UAS fleet from CBP's National Air Security Operations Center3477in San Angelo, TX.34783479    Question 2. What is the current force structure behind U.S. Coast3480Guard unmanned aerial system operations, and is this a mission that3481could be hosted in non-traditional locations, specifically inland3482cities and states, given the remote nature of the platform?3483    Answer. We operate our unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across three3484lines of effort: Long-Range, Medium-Range, and Short-Range. We3485currently partner with Customs and Border Protection to operate MQ-9s3486from San Angelo, Texas for long-range missions.3487    We employ contractor-owned, contractor-operated UAS onboard our3488National Security Cutters for medium-range missions, and over 300 small3489UAS flown by more than 600 trained operators at nearly 100 separate3490shore and afloat units across the United States support short-range3491missions. The Coast Guard is evaluating locations, including inland3492sites, for a potential future Unmanned Systems training center.34933494    Question 3. Given the administration's rightful focus on drug3495interdiction in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, what3496resources or authorizations would bolster ongoing U.S. Coast Guard and3497joint force missions to defeat and deter Designated Terrorist3498Organizations and cartels? How have resources provided in P.L. 119-21,3499One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enabled ongoing operations?3500    Answer. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is vital, funding the new3501cutters, aircraft, unmanned systems, technology, and shore3502infrastructure for cutter homeporting and aircraft hangars. We will3503rely upon this investment for decades ahead for counter-drug3504operations, and providing $2.2 billion for depot maintenance on3505existing assets is critical to sustaining readiness of today's aging3506assets. This initial capital investment will help ensure the Service3507emerges from a readiness crisis decades in the making. To enhance3508efforts against narco-terrorists and cartels in the Eastern Pacific and3509Caribbean, we need additional and sustained operations and support3510funding to grow our military workforce by at least 15,000, operate and3511sustain those newly funded assets, and deliver mission success for the3512Nation. The Coast Guard is a $20 billion Service operating with a $143513billion budget, and, if confirmed, I look forward to working with3514Congress and the Administration on necessary funding increases to3515sustain the Service into the future.3516                                 ______35173518     Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Jerry Moran to3519                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday3520    The recently passed Reconciliation bill included more than $2663521million to acquire long-range unmanned aircraft for the Coast Guard. I3522understand the USCG has pilots that fly the MQ-9 UAS and jointly3523operates them with Customs and Border Protection. Given the unique3524capabilities of the MQ-9B--and its commonality with the CBP--this would3525be a useful solution for maritime ISR.35263527    Question 1. Can you provide the status of the Coast Guard's3528acquisition of such long-range aircraft?3529    Answer. We are evaluating all potential Long-Range Unmanned3530Aircraft System solutions and options to best meet Coast Guard3531missions.3532                                 ______35333534    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to3535                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday3536Icebreakers and Homeporting3537    Congress secured historic Coast Guard funding in the recent One Big3538Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reconciliation package. Under OBBBA, the3539Coast Guard will receive nearly $25 billion, including nearly $93540billion for icebreakers and is designed to enhance Arctic operations3541while revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding.3542    Strategic shipbuilding projects like the new Arctic Security3543Cutters offer both urgent operational capability and an opportunity to3544expand U.S. shipbuilding.3545    Additionally, OBBBA provided approximately $4.4 billion for shore3546infrastructure and homeports investments to support the new cutters and3547aircraft. Alaska has ports capable of accommodating these vessels, and3548communities are willing to invest in supporting infrastructure,3549including housing and childcare.35503551    Question 1. Will you commit to considering locations in Alaska--3552where the ice is--for the homeporting of multiple Arctic Security3553Cutters?3554    Answer. Yes, if confirmed I will consider locations in Alaska for3555the home porting of multiple Arctic Security Cutters.35563557    Question 2. Private investment can complement and support the needs3558of Coast Guard personnel and their families, particularly for housing3559and childcare. But private partners need clarity and predictable3560assurances before they can commit capital. Will you commit to working3561with me to provide the assurances and certainty needed to unlock that3562investment?3563    Answer. Yes, if confirmed I will work with you and the Committee to3564support the needs of service members and their families, including3565options to work with private investment that can appropriately3566complement and support Coast Guard efforts.3567Alaska Infrastructure Projects3568    The Coast Guard is undertaking major infrastructure investments3569across Alaska--including new homeports, housing projects, and facility3570upgrades in Sitka, Seward, St. Paul, Juneau, and Kodiak. These projects3571support Arctic and Pacific operations, new vessel homeporting, and3572quality of life for personnel. Alaska's remote construction3573environment, short building seasons, and high costs make oversight and3574timely execution critical.35753576    Question 1. What internal oversight mechanisms are in place to3577ensure Alaska infrastructure projects remain on schedule?3578    Answer. Through Force Design 2028, the Coast Guard is making3579sweeping changes to streamline decision-making, accelerate contracting3580and acquisitions projects to deliver capabilities at speed and scale,3581and strengthen accountability and oversight. To that end, the Service3582established the Program Executive Office for Shore Infrastructure,3583which is responsible for the lifecycle planning, execution (including3584adherence to schedule), accountability, and oversight of shore3585infrastructure projects, to include both new construction and repair/3586maintenance activities.35873588    Question 2. How are potential delays or funding gaps communicated3589to leadership and Congress?3590    Answer. The Coast Guard regularly provides updates on its shore3591infrastructure projects through informal correspondence, delivery of3592the Quarterly Acquisition Brief, and topic-specific briefs when3593requested. Funding gaps are communicated through the annual budget3594process and the Service's Unfunded Priorities List report to Congress,3595including the Fiscal Year 2026 Unfunded Priorities List that I released3596in November 2025.35973598    Question 3. Are any Alaska-related projects expected to be3599submitted in the upcoming budget requests? If so, which projects are3600top candidates?3601    Answer. Yes, the FY 2026 Unfunded Priorities List includes a $303602million request for an aircraft hangar in Saint Paul, AK and $503603million for additional housing at several Alaska locations, potentially3604including Kodiak, Seward, Juneau, and/or Sitka. Additionally, personnel3605readiness funding requests in the Unfunded Priorities List will3606positively impact all Coast Guard members, include those serving3607throughout the State of Alaska, if provided for in future3608appropriations.3609St. Paul Forward Operating Location3610    The Coast Guard is pursuing a Forward Operating Location in St.3611Paul, Alaska. Preliminary hangar repair costs are $30 million, while3612new construction would be more expensive. The Coast Guard included $203613million for this project in its FY2025 Unfunded Priorities List.36143615    Question 1. What is the current plan for restoring or rebuilding3616hangar capability in St. Paul, and how will the FY2025 Unfunded3617Priorities List request be prioritized if not fully funded?3618    Answer. The FY 2026 Unfunded Priorities List includes a $30 million3619request that provides for an aircraft hangar in Saint Paul, AK.3620Sitka Homeport and Housing Projects3621    Sitka will serve as a key homeport for Fast Response Cutters (FRCs)3622and a vital housing hub for Coast Guard personnel. The Coast Guard3623awarded a contract for FRC and WLB pier improvements in August 2025,3624and long-term housing recapitalization and construction plans are3625underway.36263627    Question 1. Do you anticipate needing additional funds to complete3628the Sitka homeporting and housing projects? If so, how does the Coast3629Guard plan to secure that funding--through future budget requests or3630reprogramming actions?3631    Answer. Yes, the FY 2026 Unfunded Priorities List includes a $503632million request for additional housing across Alaska, potentially3633including Sitka.3634Seward Homeport and Housing Projects3635    Seward is slated to become a new homeport for FRCs, with a new3636waterfront facility and supporting housing. Environmental work and land3637acquisition are largely complete, and detailed design and contract3638awards are expected in FY 2026.36393640    Question 1. Are you confident current funding will cover both the3641homeport and housing projects, or should we expect an additional3642funding request next Fiscal Year?3643    Answer. No. The Coast Guard fully funded the FRC homeport project3644in Seward and the FY 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds3645the initial housing project. The FY 2026 Unfunded Priorities List3646includes a $50 million request for additional housing across Alaska,3647potentially including Seward.3648Petersburg--WCC Program3649    Petersburg Borough is a small, but proud Coast Guard community and3650is the homeport of the PIKE, a Coast Patrol Boat, and the ELDERBERRY,3651an Inland Buoy Tender. The ELDERBERRY and its Coast Guard crews have3652performed great service over the years managing aids to navigation in3653area Southeast Alaska waters that have major tidal swings and often3654dangerous currents. The ELDERBERRY, however, is aging and in need of3655replacement. There are currently four inland buoy tenders nationally in3656the ELDERBERRY's class that the Coast Guard is proposing to replace3657with three WLIs as part of the WCC Program. The Coast Guard's prior3658leadership committed to replace the ELDERBERRY with one of those WLIs3659and homeport it in Petersburg.36603661    Question 1. Under your leadership, will the Coast Guard keep that3662commitment and homeport a future WLI in Petersburg?3663    Answer. Yes.3664Western Alaska Oil Spill Response3665    In 2023, Congress enacted Section 11309 of Division K of the Don3666Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (part of the James M.3667Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, P.L.3668117-263) to direct the Coast Guard to develop oil spill response3669criteria specifically for Western Alaska. These Western Alaska Oil3670Spill Planning Criteria (WAOSPC) are intended to replace the existing3671Alternative Planning Criteria (APC), which have been used because3672National Planning Criteria (NPC) are not suitable for the unique3673geography, weather, and infrastructure of Western Alaska. Stakeholders3674continue to raise questions regarding the Coast Guard's implementation3675of Section 11309, the interim use of APC, and the consideration of3676subzones before the WAOSPC framework is finalized.36773678    Question 1. What is the current status and timeline for3679implementing the Western Alaska Oil Spill Planning Criteria (WAOSPC)?3680    Answer. The Coast Guard conducted comprehensive outreach and3681consultation and assembled a workgroup of subject matter experts to3682develop a Regulatory Project Proposal that will support WAOSPC3683regulations. The Service is moving forward with the NEPA analysis,3684which will take 18-24 months.36853686    Question 2. APC has been used in lieu of National Planning Criteria3687(NPC) because NPC is inappropriate for Western Alaska. Has anything3688changed regarding this determination?3689    Answer. No. Under the current program, a vessel owner or operator3690makes the determination as to whether NPC is appropriate for that3691specific vessel and operating area. Section 11309 states that the Coast3692Guard is to determine where in Western Alaska that NPC is3693inappropriate. The Coast Guard's determination will be incorporated3694into the WAOSPC implementing regulations.36953696    Question 3. What steps have been taken to ensure that updates to3697existing APC plans--while necessary to maintain coverage until WAOSPC3698are in place--are accepted in a timely manner?3699    Answer. The Coast Guard has a uniform review process applied to all3700APC submissions. The time required for the review depends on the3701complexity of the APC submission and the scope of the proposed updates.3702Each plan is unique to the submitter and therefore review timelines3703vary accordingly.37043705    Question 4. What steps have been taken to ensure that APC plans are3706fully consistent with the statutory requirements of Section 11309 and3707not reliant on outdated APC criteria wherever possible?3708    Answer. The Coast Guard reviews each submission independently and3709according to a uniform review process. While Section 11309 does not3710have requirements for APC submissions, the Coast Guard does review3711submissions for consistency with all applicable requirements of the3712Clean Water Act.37133714    Question 5. Given that subzones have previously been attempted and3715proven ineffective in Western Alaska, and that Section 11309 only3716allows such consideration after WAOSPC are finalized, why is the Coast3717Guard exploring subzones now, before the necessary framework and3718regional lessons learned are fully integrated?3719    Answer. The Coast Guard has not developed subregions or subzones in3720Western Alaska with respect to planning criteria at this time.3721Tribal Consultation3722    15 years ago, under 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1321c, Congress directed the3723Coast Guard to develop a tribal consultation policy and authorized the3724Service to enter into cooperative agreements with Indian tribes to3725improve oil-spill prevention, preparedness, and response. That3726authority has never been utilized.3727    In the Senate-passed Coast Guard Authorization Act, Sections 144,3728169, and 216 would reinforce this direction by requiring the Coast3729Guard to consult with Indian tribes, establishing a Special Advisor for3730Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs, and assessing the adequacy of3731emergency-response capabilities at Alaska ports near Bering Strait3732vessel traffic, including Point Spencer, Nome, and Kotzebue.3733    All of these provisions are aimed at addressing the long-standing3734gaps in spill prevention and response that put our coastal villages,3735communities, and environments at risk.37363737    Question 1. Given the existing authority Congress provided, the3738direction offered in the Senate-Passed Coast Guard Authorization Act,3739and the growing risks to our coastal communities, will you commit to3740take specific steps to work with tribal governments to close these gaps3741in oil-spill prevention and response?3742    Answer. Yes.3743                                 ______37443745     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Todd Young to3746                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday3747    Question 1. How should we be working with our international3748partners to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing3749and other Chinese gray zone activities?3750    Answer. First, the Coast Guard enforces U.S. sovereignty over the3751vast areas of U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in Oceania, protecting U.S.3752fish stocks from IUU fishing. We also combat IUU fishing by assisting3753other nations, leveraging strong partnerships through joint patrols3754supported by 12 bilateral law enforcement agreements. We deploy and3755embark those nation's shipriders, share intelligence, and build3756capacity to counter illegal fishing and malign Chinese activity. This3757asserts U.S. leadership, protects our shared interests, and ensures a3758free, open, and secure maritime domain.37593760    a. What regions are the most troubling to you in the IUU fishing3761space? Answer. The Indo-Pacific and West Africa regions are the most3762troubling for Illegal,3763    Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, where state-sponsored3764fleets undermine U.S. and partner national security and economic3765interests.37663767    b. What other gray zone threats are you focused on?3768    Answer. In addition to combating illegal fishing, the Coast Guard3769is laser focused on securing port infrastructure against physical and3770cyber threats, including Chinese-made cranes that, if compromised,3771could disrupt the flow of commerce vital to America's economic3772prosperity and strategic mobility.37733774    Question 2. How can the Coast Guard work with the Navy to boost our3775partnerships with other countries, especially as it relates to Chinese3776malign activity?3777    Answer. The Coast Guard is integrated with the U.S. Navy and other3778parts of the Department of War to counter Chinese malign influence,3779including conducting joint patrols, exercises, and training with3780partner nations to enhance their maritime law enforcement capabilities3781and protect their sovereign waters from illegal fishing and other3782illicit activities. The Coast Guard's unique blend of military, law3783enforcement and intelligence authorities makes us a trusted partner in3784regions like the Indo-Pacific.37853786    a. What unique attributes does the Coast Guard bring to these3787partnerships?3788    Answer. The Coast Guard is uniquely positioned to support these3789partnerships as the only U.S. Federal agency with the capability and3790authority to project law enforcement presence throughout the U.S.3791Exclusive Economic Zone and on the high seas.37923793    b. Are there any authorities that the Coast Guard needs to be able3794to implement and manage these international partnerships?3795    Answer. Yes, the Coast Guard requires its own organic authority and3796funding to unilaterally provide training and other security assistance3797to international partners. The Service currently relies on the3798Department of State and the Department of War for both the funding and3799authority to conduct these security cooperation missions, which is3800inefficient and limits the ability to respond to emerging3801opportunities. Additionally, using foreign ports for homeporting or3802operations may require authority to negotiate new status of forces and3803other international agreements.3804                                 ______38053806   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to3807                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday3808Cape Disappointment3809    The Coast Guard must address the emergency damage and shoaling that3810has taken place at Station Cape Disappointment (``Cape D''), a critical3811Coast Guard unit in the Pacific Northwest. We need a long-term strategy3812to invest in Cape D and the National Motor Lifeboat School overall.3813That plan must include solutions to stop the shoaling, new docks that3814can accommodate the replacement 52's, and cutting-edge facilities to3815support the workforce such as housing and training facilities.38163817    Question 1. Yes or No: Will you commit that the entire funding3818included in the Coast Guard reconciliation spend plan will be used to3819rebuild the critical infrastructure at Cape D?3820    Answer. Yes, we will use approximately $115 million of the funding3821provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to fund shore infrastructure3822projects at Station Cape Disappointment.38233824    Question 2. Will you work with the Army Corps to come up with a3825more sustainable plan for dredging to protect search and rescue3826capacity in Ilwaco?3827    Answer. Yes, if confirmed, I will continue to work with the Army3828Corps of Engineers to address shoaling and persistent silting issues at3829Station Cape Disappointment.3830Base Seattle3831    Coast Guard Base Seattle is currently the homeport for all Coast3832Guard Polar icebreaking operations--a critical program for our national3833security.3834    The Coast Guard recently began a contract for Base Seattle's3835modernization and homeporting program which includes dredging Slip 363836and construction of two modernized major cutter berths that are capable3837of hosting two Polar Security Cutters.38383839    Question 1. Will you work with stakeholders in Seattle, including3840labor groups and tribes, to ensure that future development at Base3841Seattle also supports the long-term economic growth of the region?3842    Answer. Yes, the Coast Guard will continue to work with3843stakeholders, including labor groups and tribes, to consider long-term3844impacts of any future development at Base Seattle.38453846    Yes or No: Will you commit to using all $4.3 billion enacted in the3847reconciliation law to continue construction of the PSC fleet?3848    Answer. Yes.3849Tribal Engagement3850    The Coast Guard Authorization Act would provide the Coast Guard3851with new authorities to support habitat conservation and other3852resilience projects with state, local, and tribal governments. This new3853authority would ensure tribes can partner with the Coast Guard to3854protect treaty fishing rights and maintain access to cultural and3855natural resources--a priority in the state of Washington.38563857    Question 1. Do you support the Coast Guard having the authority to3858partner with Tribes, which would be parity with the Department of3859Defense?3860    Answer. Yes.38613862    Question 2. Do you commit to working with Tribes on Coast Guard3863Base Seattle negotiations and treaty fishing right issues?3864    Answer. Yes.3865Operation Fouled Anchor3866    On June 30, 2023, a CNN article revealed that the Coast Guard had3867conducted a number of investigations, known as ``Operation Fouled3868Anchor,'' from 2014 to 2020 concerning cases of rape, sexual assault,3869and sexual harassment that occurred at the Coast Guard Academy (the3870``Academy'') from 1988 to 2006. That same day, Senator Baldwin and I3871sent a letter to the Coast Guard seeking additional information3872regarding the investigations, and more specifically what the Coast3873Guard did in response to the ``Operation Fouled Anchor'' findings.3874Admiral Fagan began a 90-day review and identified 33 specific actions3875the Service needed to implement. You mentioned 24 of those have been3876completed.38773878    Question 1. What are the specific steps that you have taken since3879January 20, 2025, to address the issue of sexual assault and harassment3880within the ranks of the Coast Guard and at the Academy, specifically3881regarding ``Operation Fouled Anchor''?3882    Answer. I have taken decisive action to combat and eliminate sexual3883assault and sexual harassment from our Service. We have completed 24 of3884the 33 Commandant's Directed Actions, including six since January 20,38852025. We are on track to fully complete all 33 actions in 2026.3886Further, we will take additional actions to continue to combat and3887eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment from the Coast Guard.38883889    Question 2. I appreciated your commitment to implement all 333890Directed Actions, as well as to continue the work to mitigate sexual3891misconduct in your ranks. When will the nine remaining Directed Action3892items be completed?3893    Answer. We continue to make progress on the remaining items and are3894on track to complete all in 2026. The Coast Guard will continue to3895provide updates on this progress.38963897    Question 3. Have you changed any internal Coast Guard policies on3898sexual assault or sexual harassment since January 20, 2025? If so, what3899are they? How do any new internal policies specifically help members?3900If no new policies have been created, please explain why.3901    Answer. Yes, as part of the Commandant's Directed Actions, the3902Coast Guard implemented the new Servicemember Transformation and3903Readiness Training (START) course in Spring 2025. This course provides3904the Service's newest members a better understanding of sexual assault3905prevention, workforce resilience, suicide indicators and intervention,3906and alcohol awareness. This complements other key policies like our3907``Safe to Report'' framework, which protects victims who come forward.3908    In May, we significantly upgraded the physical security at the3909Coast Guard Academy's Chase Hall with comprehensive camera surveillance3910and new electronic locks on all cadet room doors. Additionally, we3911improved career leadership courses to better prepare servicemembers for3912leadership roles.3913    In July, we improved the workforce resiliency organizational3914structure to enhance field support and victim care and staffed new3915regional coordinator positions to improve care coordination.3916    In November, the Coast Guard focused on improving tools for3917addressing improper conduct, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a3918safe and accountable environment for all personnel.39193920    Question 4. What steps have you taken since January 20, 2025, to3921institute cultural change within the Coast Guard (including at the3922training centers such as Cape May) to protect cadets and the Coast3923Guard workforce from sexual assault and harassment?3924    Answer. On January 23, 2025, I issued my Acting Commandant's3925intent, which emphasized the Coast Guard Core Values and the importance3926of respect for each other. On February 21, 2025, I issued direction and3927expectations for all Commanding Officers, Officers-in-Charge, and3928Command Senior Enlisted Leaders that gave my intent and specific3929expectations on leadership and climate within the Service. In March39302025, I delivered a leadership address to the Coast Guard Academy3931cadets, faculty, and staff that reinforced our Core Values. Also, we3932have completed 24 of the 33 Commandant's Directed Actions, including3933six since January 20, 2025, including: establishing a preparatory3934course (START) for new recruits which they attend immediately following3935Basic Training; enhancing physical security in the Coast Guard Academy3936barracks; developing more effective career leadership courses;3937improving the workforce resiliency organizational structure; improving3938victim recovery policy by staffing new regional coordinator positions;3939and addressing improper conduct through non-judicial punishment reform.39403941    Question 5. What barriers, including any legislative, policy,3942cultural, institutional, or other, contributed to the failure of the3943Coast Guard to publicly release Operation Fouled Anchor?3944    Answer. I was not aware of or part of this past decision. I will3945continue to lead by example to ensure the Coast Guard is transparent to3946enable Congress to conduct its constitutional oversight role and that3947we maintain the sacred trust of the American people we serve.39483949    Question 6. Is the Coast Guard fully cooperating with the Inspector3950General investigation into Operation Fouled Anchor, including providing3951access to all documents, personnel, and any other information3952requested?3953    Answer. Yes.39543955    Question 7. Has the Inspector General requested any specific3956material that the Coast Guard has not provided? If so, please3957specifically identify what requested material the Coast Guard has thus3958far withheld and the basis for withholding.3959    Answer. No, the Coast Guard has not withheld information from the3960Inspector General.39613962    Question 8. If confirmed as Commandant, will you hold perpetrators3963of sexual assault and harassment accountable to the fullest extent of3964the law?3965    Answer. Yes.39663967    Question 9. I appreciated your acknowledgement at that the hearing3968that the Coast Guard independently stood up the Office of the Chief3969Prosecutor, in line with the other services following the Fiscal Year39702023 NDAA. Yes or No: Do you support the codification of the Office of3971the Chief Prosecutor, for the Coast Guard?3972    Answer. Yes.3973Office of the Inspector General3974    The DHS Inspector General does not have the resources to meet all3975Coast Guard oversight needs, and they lack a dedicated staff to handle3976military law related matters.39773978    Question 1. Do you support establishing a Coast Guard Office of3979Inspector General to improve oversight of military crimes and to3980improve oversight of the Coast Guard?3981    Answer. Yes.3982Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing3983    Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a national3984security threat with destabilizing effects on vulnerable coastal States3985and world markets. As the only agency with the infrastructure and3986authority capable of maintaining a law enforcement presence throughout3987the 3.36 million square mile U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and in3988key areas of the high seas, the U.S. Coast Guard is uniquely positioned3989to combat IUU fishing. Importantly, a major part of being able to3990effectively combat IUU fishing is the ability to create a presence in3991partner nations with limited enforcement capacity.39923993    Question 1. Is the Coast Guard actively working to identify partner3994nations with limited enforcement capacity? If so, are they adding3995counter-IUU fishing to existing U.S. bilateral enforcement agreements3996and pursuing new agreements with flag States and countries in the3997identified priority regions?3998    Answer. Yes.39994000    Question 2. As the primary U.S. agency responsible for monitoring4001at-sea compliance with bilateral enforcement agreements, does the Coast4002Guard find that it requires new policies and/or laws to ensure it is4003able to uphold current and future agreements effectively guaranteeing4004the management of transboundary and highly migratory fish stocks? If4005yes, what are the new policies and/or laws needed to ensure the Coast4006Guard can uphold current and future agreements?4007    Answer. Yes, the Coast Guard requires its own authority and funding4008to unilaterally provide training and other security assistance to4009international partners. The Service currently relies on the Department4010of State and the Department of War for both the funding and authority4011to conduct these security cooperation missions, which is inefficient4012and limits our ability to quickly respond to emerging opportunities.4013                                 ______40144015    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to4016                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday4017    The U.S. Coast Guard's adoption of a new policy that labels clearly4018hateful symbols, such as swastikas and nooses, as ``potentially4019divisive'' is appalling. There should be no room for discussion in the4020Coast Guard about whether symbols such as swastikas or nooses can be4021``considered'' hateful.40224023    Question 1. Your statement after news of this change was reported4024says that ``any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always,4025will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished''--why adjust4026Coast Guard policy to call these symbols only as ``potentially4027divisive'' when they are outright hateful?4028    Answer. My November 20, 2025, policy and lawful order doubles down4029and clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit4030divisive or hate symbols and flags, and our processes for preventing4031and responding to hate incidents.4032    The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify or are4033``downgrading'' the classification of swastikas, nooses or other4034extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false.4035Through the November 20 policy and lawful order, I clarified that the4036display of divisive or hate symbols and flags is prohibited as a4037violation of Coast Guard policy and the Uniform Code of Military4038Justice. This action was to combat any misinformation and affirm that4039the U.S. Coast Guard forbids these symbols.40404041    Question 2. The policy change now gives 45 days to report an4042incident; the previous policy had no time limit--why limit how long a4043servicemember has to report hateful symbols?4044    Answer. The November 13, 2025, version of the Harassing Behaviors4045Prevention, Response, and Accountability Instruction strengthens our4046ability to report, investigate and prosecute those who violate anti-4047harassment policy. The 45-day reporting requirement aligns Coast Guard4048policy with the Federal EEO complaint process reporting timeframes to4049facilitate timely investigations of allegations and effective4050resolutions.4051    However, the policy does not prevent an aggrieved individual from4052reporting harassing behavior after the 45 calendar days and provides4053broad discretion for accepting reports after the initial 45-day period.4054This timeline for reporting has no bearing on the responsibility of4055unit commanders to maintain good order and discipline within their4056command and respond to any harassing behaviors.40574058    Question 3. How does this time limit make servicemembers who may be4059deployed at sea for long stretches safer?4060    Answer. The November 20, 2025, policy and lawful order doubles down4061and clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit4062divisive or hate symbols and flags, and strengthens our processes for4063preventing and responding to hate incidents. If a member is delayed in4064the opportunity to file a report beyond 45 days due to deployment, or4065another reasonable grounds, then they will still be able to file a4066complaint.40674068    Question 4. Before November 20, 2025, issuing of the ``Coast Guard4069Policy and Lawful Order Prohibiting Divisive or Hate Symbols And4070Flags'' general order, would the updated policy have allowed a swastika4071or noose to remain displayed if no official report were made to have it4072removed?4073    Answer. No.40744075    Question 5. What rationales did the Coast Guard and the U.S.4076Department of Homeland Security use to describe a swastika or a noose4077as only ``potentially divisive'' and not hateful?4078    Answer. There was never an intent to change the absolute4079prohibition on the display of swastikas or nooses and other widely4080recognized symbols of hate. The Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual,4081COMDTINST 5340.4E (October 2020, updated 5 March 2025), which4082categorically prohibits such hate incidents, remains in effect.40834084    Question 6. Did the Coast Guard or the Department of Homeland4085Security consult with any civil rights groups, stakeholders, or other4086experts when crafting this new policy? If so, which groups?4087    Answer. Yes, the Coast Guard Office of Civil Rights was consulted.40884089    Question 7. If not, why were credible civil rights stakeholders not4090consulted?4091    Answer. We did consult with the Coast Guard Director of Civil4092Rights, who is an expert in Federal government civil rights law and4093policy.40944095    Question 8. If the Coast Guard was attempting to address a wider4096range of symbols that are problematic, what other symbols or views was4097this new policy attempting to account for?4098    Answer. Under the new policy commanders, commanding officers,4099officers-in-charge, and supervisors can prohibit the public display of4100any symbol or flag co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as4101representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, or other4102improper bias when the display adversely affects good order and4103discipline, unit cohesion, command climate, morale, or mission4104effectiveness.41054106    Question 9. Why would potentially broadening the categories of4107hateful symbols require downgrading imagery such as swastikas and4108nooses?4109    Answer. The new policy does not downgrade hate symbols such as4110swastikas and nooses. It absolutely prohibits them as hate symbols. It4111also broadens the scope to prohibit display of any other symbols that4112may be adopted or co-opted by hate or extremist groups as4113representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, anti-4114semitism, and other improper bias.41154116    Question 10. What steps is the Coast Guard taking to ensure the4117general order remains in force in perpetuity, so that it is not4118rescinded or modified in the future?4119    Answer. The November 20, 2025 policy and lawful order doubles down4120and clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit4121divisive or hate symbols and flags, and strengthens our processes for4122preventing and responding to hate incidents. This includes a body of4123existing Coast Guard policies that remain in place:41244125   Coast Guard Policy and Lawful Order Prohibiting Divisive or4126        Hate Symbols (November 2025)41274128   Harassing Behaviors Prevention, Response, and4129        Accountability, 5350.6A (November 2025)41304131   Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST 5350.4E Chapters4132        3F (Hate Incidents and CO/OIC Responsibilities) and 3G4133        (Notification and Processing for Potential and Actual Hate4134        Incidents) (updated 5 March 2025)41354136   Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy Statement4137        (Updated February 2025)41384139   Equal Opportunity Policy Statement (Updated February 2025)41404141   Tattoo, Branding, Body Piercing, and Mutilation Standards,4142        COMDTINST 1000.1F (Updated May 2024)41434144    The U.S. Coast Guard plays a valuable role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific4145strategy through addressing security threats that fall under its4146mandated mission. It's unique blend of law enforcement authority,4147humanitarian response capacity, and maritime domain expertise makes it4148a versatile tool for advancing U.S. interest in the region. One of the4149most visible elements of this presence are the bilateral Shiprider4150agreements with various Pacific Island Forum nations remain a4151cornerstone of U.S. presence, strengthening sovereignty and deterring4152illicit activities such as illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU)4153fishing and trafficking.41544155    Question 1. Given NOAA's analysis that Chinese IUU fishing imperils4156the global ocean ecosystem, what are your plans for the U.S. Coast4157Guard's international collaboration in the Indo-Pacific to fight IUU4158fishing and trafficking?4159    Answer. We will continue combating Illegal, Unreported, and4160Unregulated fishing that threatens our national and economic security4161by using existing bilateral ship rider agreements, enabling our4162partners to enforce their laws from our assets. The Coast Guard is4163expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter malign influence,4164strengthen partnerships, and enhance maritime domain dominance.41654166    Question 2. How can the United States Coast Guard leverage recent4167Quad maritime exercises with Japan, Australia, and India to expand4168multilateral enforcement against IUU fishing and trafficking?4169    Answer. With increased collaboration and operational coordination,4170the Quad exercises can focus on additional threats including IUU4171fishing, maritime environmental response, or other illicit maritime4172activity. In addition to operational deployments, the Quad is working4173to provide joint training to partners in both Oceania and South/4174Southeast Asia. These combined activities, consistently exercised, are4175expected to serve as a force multiplier to address shared threats.41764177    Question 3. Where should the Coast Guard be conducting more port4178visits and where should it have more sustained presence to best build4179key partner capacity, provide assurance, deter adversaries and address4180illegal and destabilizing activities to best support U.S. national4181security?4182    Answer. The Coast Guard is expanding its permanent presence in the4183Indo-Pacific, which will enable more port visits and operations4184throughout the region where partner nations face challenges that4185likewise threaten U.S. national and economic security.41864187    Question 4. What role should Coast Guard assets play in4188multilateral exercises alongside allies to counterbalance China's4189growing maritime footprint?4190    Answer. Coast Guard assets play a valuable role as our Nation's4191lead Federal maritime law enforcement agency in multilateral exercises4192in the Atlantic and Pacific, including Operation North Pacific Guard,4193an annual multi-mission effort between the U.S., Canada, Japan, and4194South Korea.41954196    The Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)4197required a report and briefing on the U.S. Coast Guard's resourcing4198strategy for the Western Pacific region. This report is nearly two4199years delayed.42004201    Question 1. If confirmed, can you guarantee that you will work in4202consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard Commander of the Pacific Area,4203the Commanders of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and the Under4204Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to ensure that this4205report is submitted as soon as possible given the delay?4206    Answer. Yes.42074208    In July, the Coast Guard commissioned three new Fast Response4209Cutters in Guam to enhance Pacific coverage amid rising concerns over4210overfishing and strategic competition with China. Recent updates show4211cutters like the USCGC Frederick Hatch returning to Guam after extended4212deployments and maintenance while additional cutters are expected by42132026.42144215    Question 1. As Acting Commandant, how have these Fast Response4216Cutters been integrated into regional patrols?4217    Answer. The Coast Guard's Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are vital to4218the Service's efforts in the region to assure U.S. sovereignty, combat4219illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and enhance cooperation4220with allies and partners in the face of malign influence by China.4221Coast Guard FRCs based in Hawaii and Guam are key enablers to control,4222secure, and defend the U.S. border and maritime approaches around4223Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and4224American Samoa. They also enable partnership growth and sustainment,4225appropriately situated to support regional partners across a range of4226missions from disaster response to shiprider programs.42274228    Question 2. How do you assess the need for additional cutters or4229offshore patrol vessels to meet rising demands, especially in4230Micronesia and the Philippines?4231    Answer. The Coast Guard continues to explore options to stretch its4232limited resources to meet the rising demand for operations, activities,4233and security cooperation requests in the Western Pacific region.4234Additional cutters will increase our capacity to control, secure, and4235defend our border and maritime approaches, while enabling the Coast4236Guard to strengthen partnerships, deter our adversaries, and counter4237malign influence. However, to operate more cutters in the region, the4238Coast Guard requires a significant and sustained investment in robust4239shore-based operating locations with the appropriate shoreside4240logistical, operational, and administrative support and increased4241funding. Ports that can viably meet the Coast Guard's needs in the4242region are scarce. Traditional homeporting of a fleet of cutters at4243ports other than Guam and Hawaii is challenged by port size and the4244ability to adequately support assigned cutter families and crews.42454246    Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to protecting these4247resources and advancing U.S. maritime priorities in the Pacific?4248    Answer. Yes.42494250    Given its international role, the U.S. Coast Guard works closely4251with the U.S. Department of State and other Federal agencies to conduct4252international port security assessments and share information on4253foreign maritime security. To support these efforts, the U.S. Coast4254Guard of the Pacific Area is seeking to lay down a Coast Guard Liaison4255Officer (CGLO) or attache billets in the region.42564257    Question 1. How would the establishment of a Coast Guard Liaison4258Office or related attache billets impact current U.S. Coast Guard4259operations in the Indo-Pacific region?4260    Answer. Establishing additional Coast Guard Liaison Officer or4261attache billets in the Indo-Pacific would enhance our operational4262effectiveness by strengthening day-to-day engagement and trust with key4263partner nations. This persistent engagement allows for more seamless4264coordination, targeted training to build partner capacity, and improved4265information sharing to counter Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated4266fishing and other maritime threats.42674268    Question 2. What are the potential locations for additional4269positions?4270    Answer. The Coast Guard continues to assess locations for4271additional Coast Guard Liaisons and attache billets.42724273    Those who live in Pacific Island countries face difficulties4274accessing U.S. consular services due to travel restrictions. The4275Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act that I introduced this Congress alongside4276Senator Wicker aims to conduct a feasibility assessment of attaching4277U.S. Department of State consular officers to U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.4278Navy missions in Pacific Island countries.42794280    Question 1. What challenges do you anticipate in integrating4281Department of State consular officers into U.S. Coast Guard mission in4282the Indo-Pacific region?4283    Answer. The Coast Guard has not assessed the feasibility of4284integrating Consular officers into Coast Guard missions in the region.42854286    Question 2. How would you coordinate with the U.S. Navy to ensure4287consular support missions are feasible, efficient, and aligned with4288broader U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy?4289    Answer. The Coast Guard defers to the Department of State.42904291    Question 3. What operational adjustments would the Coast Guard need4292to make to host consular officers aboard cutters or during deployments?4293    Answer. The Coast Guard has not assessed the operational4294adjustments necessary to host Consular officers aboard cutters.42954296    Question 4. What resources or authorities would be necessary to4297make consular integration into Coast Guard missions viable?4298    Answer. The Coast Guard has not assessed the resources or4299authorities necessary to integrate Consular officers into Coast Guard4300missions in the region.43014302    The U.S. Coast Guard is facing significant challenges with its4303shore infrastructure for both new construction and deferred maintenance4304projects. These shortfalls were analyzed in a recent GAO report (GAO-430525-108064), which highlighted an estimated $7 billion backlog.43064307    Question 1. If confirmed, how to plan to address this4308infrastructure backlog?4309    Answer. The $24.6 billion capital investment provided in the One4310Big Beautiful Bill Act for depot maintenance and recapitalization of4311shore facilities will help the Coast Guard begin to emerge from its4312decades long readiness crisis. The Coast Guard requires significant and4313sustained investments in depot maintenance and shore infrastructure to4314fully address the backlog and appreciates the support of Congress4315already provided.43164317    Question 2. Given the role of Hawaii as a hub for the Oceania4318District, what infrastructure improvements are most urgent to sustain4319operations in the Indo-Pacific region?4320    Answer. Coast Guard assesses that port facilities in Hawaii and4321Guam are currently insufficient to meet the Service's growing needs in4322the region. Furthermore, many of the Western Pacific islands'4323infrastructure is currently insufficient to meet traditional4324homeporting requirements due to lack of adequate maintenance4325facilities, access to supplies, medical care, and servicemember housing4326options. The Service needs resources in addition to, and not at the4327expense of, continuing progress on our major cutter acquisitions and4328sustainment of our current fleet.43294330    The heroic response of the U.S. Coast Guard to various disasters,4331including the Maui wildfire in August 2024, underscores the critical4332role of search and rescue operations. However, a GAO report (GAO-25-4333107224) indicates a shortfall of 2,600 active-duty staff and4334projections of nearly 6,000 enlisted members missing by 202543354336    Question 1. As Acting Commandant, where have you identified4337personnel shortfalls, and how are they impacting mission execution?4338    Answer. Our most significant personnel shortfall is in the active4339duty enlisted workforce. While our recruiting efforts last Fiscal Year4340were the most successful in over three decades, bringing in more than43415,200 active-duty recruits, we are still working to close a gap of4342nearly 1,500 members.4343    This shortage is most acute in our technical ratings. We need the4344specialists who maintain our cutters and aircraft and execute complex4345operations. Specifically, we project critical shortages through in4346ratings like Aviation Survival Technician, Electrician's Mate,4347Electronics Technician, and Operations Specialist. This creates a4348strain on our experienced members and impacts the maintenance and long-4349term health of our assets.4350    To manage this risk, we made difficult but necessary decisions4351under the Force Alignment Initiative. This was not a move to reduce4352missions, but a strategic reallocation of our most vital resource--our4353people--during a time when that resource was terribly strained. We4354temporarily ceased operations on four of our oldest medium endurance4355cutters and laid up eleven 87-foot patrol boats. This allowed us to4356consolidate our skilled crews onto our most capable assets and4357prioritize readiness where it was needed most.43584359    Question 2. If confirmed, how will you make necessary adjustments4360to address these gaps, including recruitment and retention?4361    Answer. If confirmed, my top priority will be our people. To4362address workforce gaps, we will build on our recent recruiting4363success--the best since 1991--by expanding our recruiting force,4364opening new recruiting offices, and professionalizing our recruiting4365enterprise. To keep our best personnel, we will use targeted monetary4366and non-monetary incentives to fill critical vacancies and expand4367career-broadening opportunities. With the support of Congress, will4368also invest in quality of life by expanding housing options, fixing our4369childcare funding gap, and increasing access to medical care,4370especially for members and their families at remote units. Through4371Force Design 2028, we will pursue growing both our workforce and annual4372budget to reflect the value and need for a dependable, responsive Coast4373Guard.43744375    Question 3. What role can Coast Guard auxiliarists play in filling4376manpower gaps while long-term solutions are pursued?4377    Answer. Auxiliarists are critical partners in our mission. They are4378already filling gaps in recreational boating safety, marine4379environmental protection, and search and rescue support and are4380expanding their role in vessel safety checks, public education,4381chaplain programs, and administrative support.43824383    Question 1. Can you describe your vision for leveraging uncrewed4384systems across the service, and particularly in the Pacific?4385    Answer. The Coast Guard plans to acquire multi-mission unmanned4386systems and counter-unmanned systems capabilities that seamlessly4387integrate with and amplify existing capabilities across all domains,4388including in the Pacific. We stood up the Robotics and Autonomous4389Systems Program Executive Office to consolidate disparate efforts and4390rapidly operationalize our Unmanned Systems Strategic Plan. The data4391collected from these systems will contribute to the robust, integrated4392sensor network the Coast Guard is developing through our Coastal4393Sentinel initiative to inform the Service's common operating picture4394and enhance operational decision making.43954396    Question 2. How would you propose analyzing the data and4397information from uncrewed systems?4398    Answer. The Coast Guard will analyze data and information collected4399from unmanned systems using artificial intelligence and trained Coast4400Guard professionals to enhance efficient and effective operational4401decision making. The expansion and formalization of data processes and4402creation of data teams will further enable the Service to focus efforts4403and maximize utility of resources.44044405    Question 3. Would you be willing to partner with other Federal4406agencies to include additional sensors for any uncrewed systems the4407Coast Guard might deploy?4408    Answer. Yes, if confirmed I will work with our Federal partners to4409consider including additional sensors on Coast Guard uncrewed systems.44104411    Question 4. Do you have any plans on how the Coast Guard might use4412its uncrewed systems data and analysis to collaborate with allied4413nations?4414    Answer. The Coast Guard maintains operational information sharing4415agreements with numerous partner nations. When appropriate, those4416agreements may be updated to include unmanned systems' data and4417analysis.44184419    In October, the U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation River Wall4420indicating that U.S. Coast Guard assets, such as aircraft, cutters,4421small boards, and crews, were diverted under its ``operational4422control'' to the southern border.44234424    Question 1. How did the Coast Guard make up for the withdrawal of4425resources that were redistributed to the southern border?4426    Answer. Operational commanders have the authority and4427responsibility to allocate resources based on mission demand and4428evaluate the risk associated with the current operational environment.44294430    Question 2. Where were these resources diverted from?4431    Answer. The Coast Guard shifted resources from units across the4432organization to support Operation River Wall while minimizing the4433impact on individual units or specific regions.44344435    Question 3. If confirmed, how will you ensure that any continuation4436of redistributing resources does not weaken our national security?4437    Answer. Operation River Wall is vital to U.S. national security. If4438confirmed, I will continue to evaluate mission demands and ensure4439operational commanders apply the necessary resources, informed by risk4440considerations, to support national security priorities.44414442    Recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visited4443U.S. Coast Guard base Fort Wadsworth in New York, which could4444potentially be used as a new ICE detention center. Since then, there4445has been additional reporting that the U.S. Department of Homeland4446Security relocated an essential Coast Guard helicopter away from4447Newport, Oregon and is working to relocate other Coast Guard assets4448away from Newport to make room for a new ICE detention facility in4449Newport.44504451    Question 1. Do you support the use of U.S. Coast Guard facilities4452as ICE detention centers and the relocation of essential Coast Guard4453resources away from communities that rely on these services to make4454room for detention centers?4455    Answer. The Coast Guard will continue to assist our Department of4456Homeland Security partners to control, secure, and defend the U.S.4457border. I have not relocated essential Coast Guard resources for the4458purpose of making room for detention centers.44594460    Question 2. If confirmed, how will you ensure that, if these4461facilities are used as ICE detention centers or if there is a removal4462of Coast Guard assets from other communities throughout the U.S., the4463Coast Guards' ability to do their job and support these communities4464will not be negatively impacted?4465    Answer. The Coast Guard's dedication to the American public remains4466resolute. If confirmed, I will continue to ensure we meet operational4467requirements, support our maritime communities, and evaluate the use of4468all assets as part of Force Design 2028.44694470    Question 3. If confirmed, will the Coast Guard work closely with4471ICE and allow ICE to use the Coast Guard's facilities or relocate the4472Coast Guard's resources to make room for new ICE facilities?4473    Answer. If confirmed, I will continue to assist our law enforcement4474partners to control, secure, and defend the U.S. border and allocate4475Coast Guard resources to fulfill all our statutory missions.4476Women in the Service4477    Women represent 14.5 percent of the active-duty force in the Coast4478Guard. Leadership changes along with a recent decline in top female4479leaders across all services are compounding this issue. Furthermore,4480recent policy shifts, such as changes in physical standards and the4481disbanding of advisory groups, have raised concerns among female4482service members about their place in the military.44834484    Question 1. As Commandant, do you believe women play an important4485role to the Coast Guard's success as a military service?4486    Answer. Yes.44874488    Question 2. As Commandant, what actions will you take to ensure4489women in the Coast Guard are treated as equals to their male4490counterparts?4491    Answer. Women are vital members of the Coast Guard with the ability4492to fill every role the Coast Guard conducts. If confirmed, I will4493continue to prioritize taking care of all Coast Guard men and women.44944495    Question 3. The Commandant is ultimately liable for any policies4496that are enacted in the Service. Will you stand up for all female4497service members in the Coast Guard by not enacting policies that are4498biased or promote unfair treatment of women?4499    Answer. Yes.4500Search and Rescue4501    During the hearing we discussed the 23 search and rescues stations4502the Coast Guard has temporarily closed. You told me that you have no4503plan to currently re-open them. I am deeply concerned about the4504fishermen in my state, and their ability to have the necessary4505resources for their safety.45064507    Question 1. Please explain your plan in detail for ensuring all4508areas impacted by the 23 stations will have the necessary coverage for4509their safety.4510    Answer. The safety of all mariners, including fishermen, remains a4511top priority for the Service. The Coast Guard has not made final4512decisions regarding permanent closures or reopening of any station4513impacted by temporary changes made in the Force Alignment Initiative.4514All communities currently impacted by the Force Alignment Initiative4515temporary changes are served by nearby stations with overlapping areas4516of responsibility, enabling us to adhere to our rigorous response4517standards.45184519    Question 2. How many additional stations does the Coast Guard4520intend to close (temporary or otherwise)?4521    Answer. The Coast Guard has not made final decisions regarding4522permanent closures or reopening of any station impacted by Force4523Alignment Initiative. As part of Force Design 2028, the Coast Guard is4524evaluating force posture and structure, which will include deliberate4525evaluation of these stations.45264527    Question 3. As you noted at the hearing, the law requires the Coast4528Guard to hold public meetings and seek comment prior to any station4529closures. Have you done that or initiated that process with any4530stations?4531    Answer. No.45324533    Question 4. Is the Coast Guard considering privatizing any aspect4534of search and rescue operations?4535    Answer. No, the Coast Guard is not seeking to privatize or reduce4536its role in Search and Rescue.4537Former Coast Guard Commandant4538    The former Commandant, Admiral Fagan, was fired without reason and4539then evicted from her home with effectively no notice.45404541    Question 1. Yes or No: were you involved in this decision to evict4542Admiral Fagan? If so, please detail the role you played and who else4543was involved in making this decision.4544    Answer. No, I was not part of the decision.45454546    Question 2. Did you try recommending alternative courses of action?4547Answer. I was not part of the decision.4548Limited Coast Guard Resources Used for the Secretary of Homeland4549        Security4550    The Secretary of Homeland Security moved into the home4551traditionally reserved for the Commandant, where she's been living for4552months.4553    Coast Guard resources--which are always stretched thin--are being4554diverted away from purchasing critical search-and-rescue aircraft to4555instead buy two luxury executive jets costing more than $172 million.45564557    Question 1. As the highest-ranking attorney in the Coast Guard,4558what is the legal justification for a civilian DHS Secretary living in4559Coast Guard military housing?4560    Answer. I was not part of this decision and refer you to the Office4561of the Secretary regarding this matter.45624563    Question 2. Was Secretary Noem or other DHS political appointees4564involved in the Coast Guard's decision to purchase the Gulfstream 7004565jets? If so, please specify whom and to what extent.4566    Answer. As Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard, I made the4567decision to purchase the two newer model Long Range Command and Control4568aircraft in coordination with Department of Homeland Security and4569Office of Management and Budget.4570Hate Symbol Policies at the Coast Guard4571    On November 20, 2025, media reports documented a new Coast Guard4572policy under which the Nazi swastika, nooses, and other abhorrent4573symbols would no longer be classified as a hate symbol, instead4574reclassifying them as ``potentially divisive.'' Admiral Lunday, I4575understand you met with my staff on November 20, 2025, and committed to4576changing this policy within 24 hours. Later on November 20, you issued4577a memorandum to all Coast Guard personnel stating: ``Divisive or hate4578symbols and flags are prohibited. These symbols and flags include, but4579are not limited to, the following: a noose, a swastika, and any symbols4580or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of4581supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, antisemitism, or any other4582improper bias.'' The memo further stated: ``The display of any divisive4583or hate symbol is prohibited and shall be removed from all Coast Guard4584workplaces, facilities, and assets.''45854586    Question 1. Admiral Lunday, will your November 20 memorandum be4587formally reflected in the Coast Guard Harassing Behavior Prevention,4588Response, and Accountability policy (COMDTINST 5350.6A)?4589    Answer. The November 20, 2025, policy and lawful order doubles down4590and clarifies the strength of existing Coast Guard policies that4591prohibit divisive or hate symbols and flags and strengthens the4592Service's processes for preventing and responding to hate incidents.4593This includes a body of existing Coast Guard policies:45944595   Coast Guard Policy and Lawful Order Prohibiting Divisive or4596        Hate Symbols (November 2025)45974598   Harassing Behaviors Prevention, Response, and4599        Accountability, 5350.6A (November 2025)46004601   Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST 5350.4E Chapters4602        3F (Hate Incidents and CO/OIC Responsibilities) and 3G4603        (Notification and Processing for Potential and Actual Hate4604        Incidents) (updated 5 March 2025)46054606   Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy Statement4607        (Updated February 2025)46084609   Equal Opportunity Policy Statement (Updated February 2025)46104611   Tattoo, Branding, Body Piercing, and Mutilation Standards,4612        COMDTINST 1000.1F (Updated May 2024)46134614    Question 2. Will you formally rescind the provisions of the Coast4615Guard Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response, and Accountability4616policy regarding ``potentially divisive symbols and flags''?4617    Answer. No. The updated 2025 policy will not be rescinded; I issued4618a November 20, 2025 lawful order that clarifies and doubles down on4619current policies prohibiting the display, distribution or use of4620divisive or hate symbols and flags by Coast Guard personnel.46214622    Question 3. Please explain why the Coast Guard had classified the4623display of Nazi swastikas, nooses, and similar abhorrent symbols as4624only ``potentially'' divisive?4625    Answer. The November 2025 changes strengthened the policy on4626divisive or hate symbols and flags. There was never an intent to change4627the absolute prohibition on the display of swastikas or nooses and4628other recognized symbols of hate. The Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual,4629COMDTINST 5340.4E (updated 5 March 2025), which categorically prohibits4630such symbols, remains in effect.46314632    Question 4. Did anyone outside of the Coast Guard direct you or4633anyone else Coast Guard leadership to classify Nazi swastikas, nooses,4634or other abhorrent symbols as ``potentially divisive''?4635    Answer. No.4636Jones Act4637    There is bipartisan agreement that it is critical we increase4638American-built ships to support our economy, our national security, and4639to shore up our maritime industrial base. Despite this, the Coast Guard4640is planning to build four Arctic Security Cutters in Finland.46414642    Question 1. Yes or No: Do you support the Jones Act and other4643build-America requirements that apply to the Coast Guard under U.S.4644law?4645    Answer. Yes, the Coast Guard supports and fully complies with U.S.4646law.46474648    Question 2. Yes or No: Putting the Arctic Security Cutter aside for4649the moment, if you are confirmed will you approve the construction of4650any additional Coast Guard cutters overseas?4651    Answer. If confirmed, I will not. The Commandant does not have4652authority under U.S. law to approve construction of Coast Guard cutters4653overseas.4654                                 ______46554656    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to4657                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday4658Operational Adjustments:4659    Question 1. For each unit, please provide data points and analysis4660used by USCG to determine the locations in Michigan selected for4661operational adjustments in 2023.4662    Answer. We made necessary operational adjustments across the4663country, including in Michigan, to manage a critical, service-wide4664workforce shortage in 2023.4665    Seven Michigan stations were impacted. Five seasonal stations were4666transitioned to forward operating locations: Harbor Beach, Alpena,4667Frankfort, Ludington, and Muskegon. Two stations were adjusted to4668scheduled mission stations: St. Clair Shores and Saginaw River.4669    Our analysis focused exclusively on maintaining Search and Rescue4670(SAR) coverage to protect the maritime public. We performed a data-4671driven review to identify stations that provided redundant SAR response4672capabilities. This allowed us to make adjustments while ensuring4673adjacent primary and secondary stations could still meet our rigorous4674response standard.4675    Below is an overview of the range ring analysis involving the State4676of Michigan's Coast Guard Boat Stations and across the Coast Guard4677Great Lakes District. Green circles indicate SAR coverage for primary4678stations, yellow circles indicate SAR coverage for secondary stations,4679and orange circles indicate SAR coverage for tertiary stations.46804681   Primary: Stations that provide the first layer of multi-4682        mission response boat coverage.46834684   Secondary: Stations that provide the second layer of multi-4685        mission response boat coverage46864687   Tertiary: Stations that are currently seasonal Stations4688        (Station Smalls), non-response Stations & detachments, or4689        Stations that provide additional (3+) layers of response boat4690        coverage.46914692[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]46934694Recruitment and retention:4695    Question 1. Please provide the number of enlisted members,4696officers, and reserve members onboard for Fiscal Years 2023-2025 and4697identify where shortages exist.4698    Answer.46994700----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4701                                             FY 2023                   FY 2024                   FY 20254702----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4703Active Duty Enlisted                                 29,638                    30,638                    31,9304704Active Duty Officer                                   7,196                     7,348                     7,5584705Active Duty Warrant Officer                           1,797                     1,787                     1,8354706Selective Reserve                                     6,185                     6,347                     6,4064707----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------47084709    Our most significant personnel shortfall is in the active duty4710enlisted workforce. While our recent recruiting efforts have been the4711most successful in over three decades, bringing in more than 5,2004712active duty recruits last Fiscal Year, we are still working to close a4713gap of nearly 1,500 members.47144715    Question 2. Please provide the number of personnel accessed for4716Fiscal Years 2023-2025.4717    Answer. The below table provides the requested information, but4718does not reflect the regular departure of members from the Service4719through regular processes (retirement, end of enlistment, etc.). To4720overcome the workforce gap, the Coast Guard must continue to seek4721    ways to retain personnel, but also increase accessions,4722particularly as we seek to grow the military workforce by 15,000 under4723Force Design.47244725----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4726               FY 2023                               FY 2024                               FY 20254727----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4728                        3,126                                 4,422                                 5,2044729----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------47304731Healthcare:4732    Question 1. Please provide your plans to address challenges with4733healthcare access for Coast Guard members in Michigan and their4734dependents.4735    Answer. If confirmed, through Force Design 2028, and with the4736continued support of Congress, the Service will increase the number of4737Coast Guard medical care providers and support staff by at least 5004738people. Additionally, as we pursue growing to a $20 billion Service, we4739will expand access to primary healthcare medical services for Coast4740Guard men, women, and their families in remote locations, including4741those located in Michigan, by leveraging deployable medical4742capabilities and optimizing the use of telehealth.4743Policy Changes:4744    Question 1. Please provide an explanation of the changes made to4745USCG policy as described in ALCOAST 459/25-NOV 2025 UPDATE TO HARASSING4746BEHAVIOR PREVENTION, RESPONSE, and ACCOUNTABILITY POLICY and in4747Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response, and Accountability (COMDTINST47485350.6A, November 2025) and what entities were included in making these4749changes. In particular:47504751    a. Why USCG policy is no longer using the term ``hate incident''4752and why the handling of hate incidents has been changed.4753    Answer. The November 2025 changes clarified and strengthened the4754policy on divisive or hate symbols and flags. There was never an intent4755to change the absolute prohibition on the display of swastikas or4756nooses and other recognized symbols of hate. The Coast Guard Civil4757Rights Manual, COMDTINST 5340.4E (updated 5 March 2025), which4758categorically prohibits such hate incidents, remains in effect.47594760    b. Whether there are any activities that would be labeled under4761hate incident that would now neither be classified as harassment nor4762display of ``divisive flags and symbols.'' For example, how will the4763USCG categorize incidents that are more severe than harassment, like4764bullying or hazing, that are motivated by hate against a protected4765class?4766    Answer. No, the scope of prohibited conduct covered under Coast4767Guard policy has not changed, including hate incidents, sexual4768harassment, harassment, bullying or hazing.47694770    c. Why the terminology ``potentially divisive'' was used to4771describe known hate symbols.4772    Answer. My November 20, 2025 policy and lawful order doubles down4773and clarifies the strength of our existing Coast Guard policies that4774prohibit divisive or hate symbols and flags and our processes for4775preventing and responding to potential and actual hate incidents. This4776includes an absolute prohibition on displays of hate symbols, such as a4777swastika or noose, that are widely identified with oppression or4778hatred, anti-semitism, racial or religious intolerance, or other4779improper bias. Further, Coast Guard policy more broadly also prohibits4780display of other divisive or hate symbols and flags that may be co-4781opted or adopted by hate or extremist groups. Hate incidents or4782potential hate incidents will be immediately reported, thoroughly4783investigated, and severely punished.4784    There is no change to effective Coast Guard policy governing4785notification and processing for potential and actual hate incidents,4786including responsibility for inquiry or investigation into reported4787incidents contained in Chapter 3F and 3G of the Coast Guard Civil4788Rights Manual, COMDTINST M5350.4E. The policy, which remains unchanged,4789directs the unit commanding officer or officer-in-charge in the case of4790a hate incident, such as display of swastika or noose, to immediately4791conduct an investigation. In the case of a potential hate incident,4792where there may be insufficient evidence of a hate incident at the4793start, the commanding officer or officer-in-charge is authorized to4794conduct a preliminary inquiry to gather evidence to inform the conduct4795of an investigation. In either case, however, the actual or potential4796hate incident must be immediately reported up the chain of command and4797to the Civil Rights Service Provider.47984799    d. The requirement for reports of harassing behavior to be filed4800within forty-five calendar days and any analysis of whether this might4801limit reporting of such incidents.4802    Answer. The 2025 version of the Harassing Behaviors Prevention,4803Response, and Accountability Instruction strengthens our ability to4804report, investigate and prosecute those who violate such policy. The480545-day reporting requirement aligns Coast Guard policy with the Federal4806EEO complaint process reporting timeframes to facilitate timely4807investigations of allegations and effective resolutions.4808    That said, the policy does not prevent or limit a person from4809reporting harassing behavior after the 45 calendar days if there is a4810reason for the extension and provides broad discretion for accepting4811reports after 45 calendar days. This timeline for reporting has no4812bearing on the responsibility of unit commanders to maintain good order4813and discipline within their command and respond to any harassing4814behaviors.48154816    Question 2. Please confirm whether any of these changes are4817intended to be reversed in an updated version of this policy document.4818    Answer. No. The November 20, 2025, policy and lawful order doubles4819down and clarifies the strength of existing Coast Guard policies that4820prohibit divisive or hate symbols and flags, and strengthens the4821Service's processes for preventing and responding to hate incidents.48224823    Question 3. Please explain who will be responsible for determining4824what is a divisive symbol or flag.4825    Answer. For known and widely recognized divisive or hate symbols4826and Flags, there is no discretion to determine that they are not4827prohibited. For other potentially divisive or hate symbols and flags,4828including those adopted or co-opted by hate or extremist groups, the4829determinations are made by unit commanders, commanding officers,4830officers-in-charge, and supervisors, in consultation with their4831servicing legal office, with immediate notification to their chain of4832command and the Anti-Harassment Program Office, as appropriate.48334834    Question 4. Given the lack of definition of divisive and the4835possibility that there are disagreements on issues unrelated to hate,4836how will you ensure that this policy will not be improperly used?4837    Answer. I have directed that unit commanders, commanding officers,4838officers-in-charge, and supervisors remain vigilant to strictly enforce4839the prohibitions on divisive or hate symbols and flags in Coast Guard4840policy, including my letter and lawful order of 20 November 2025.4841Drug Interdictions and Prosecutions:4842    Question 1. Please provide monthly drug interdiction data for4843Fiscal Years 2023-2025. Answer.48444845----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4846                                                                     Fiscal Year4847----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4848                                              2023                      2024                      2025*4849----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4850October                                   3,288 kgs cocaine         7,691 kgs cocaine        32,056 kgs cocaine4851                                            0 lbs marijuana       2,140 lbs marijuana       2,771 lbs marijuana4852----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4853November                                 12,811 kgs cocaine        14,183 kgs cocaine         6,972 kgs cocaine4854                                        9,730 lbs marijuana           0 lbs marijuana       5,740 lbs marijuana4855----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4856December                                  3,633 kgs cocaine         3,212 kgs cocaine        19,033 kgs cocaine4857                                        4,200 lbs marijuana       9,473 lbs marijuana           0 lbs marijuana4858----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4859January                                   1,232 kgs cocaine         2,470 kgs cocaine        38,172 kgs cocaine4860                                            0 lbs marijuana       3,180 lbs marijuana           0 lbs marijuana4861----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4862February                                  8,643 kgs cocaine      18,946.3 kgs cocaine        19,458 kgs cocaine4863                                        8,456 lbs marijuana       7,604 lbs marijuana       5,141 lbs marijuana4864----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4865March                                     6,895 kgs cocaine        16,794 kgs cocaine        10,332 kgs cocaine4866                                        8,416 lbs marijuana       3,094 lbs marijuana           0 lbs marijuana4867----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4868April                                     7,922 kgs cocaine         7,780 kgs cocaine        12,285 kgs cocaine4869                                            0 lbs marijuana       3,802 lbs marijuana       6,502 lbs marijuana4870----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4871May                                      11,582 kgs cocaine         5,751 kgs cocaine        26,976 kgs cocaine4872                                        1,636 lbs marijuana          97 lbs marijuana       2,599 lbs marijuana4873----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4874June                                      7,822 kgs cocaine         1,503 kgs cocaine        22,336 kgs cocaine4875                                        2,091 lbs marijuana       2,229 lbs marijuana       3,317 lbs marijuana4876----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4877July                                      7,253 kgs cocaine         5,404 kgs cocaine        15,725 kgs cocaine4878                                        6,547 lbs marijuana           0 lbs marijuana       9,168 lbs marijuana4879----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4880August                                  8,842.8 kgs cocaine         9,689 kgs cocaine        30,947 kgs cocaine4881                                        5,325 lbs marijuana       4,418 lbs marijuana       8,030 lbs marijuana4882----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4883September                                16,299 kgs cocaine        12,869 kgs cocaine        29,293 kgs cocaine4884                                        4,967 lbs marijuana       5,763 lbs marijuana         150 lbs marijuana4885----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4886TOTAL                                  96,222.3 kgs cocaine       106,293 kgs cocaine     263,584.2 kgs cocaine4887                                       51,368 lbs marijuana      41,800 lbs marijuana      43,418 lbs marijuana4888----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4889Data validated through Q3 FY 20254890----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------48914892    Question 2. As it relates to drug interdictions, please provide the4893following data broken down by month for Fiscal Years 2023-2025:48944895    a. The total number of detainees taken into USCG custody and the4896unique number of detainees taken into custody.4897    Answer. The Coast Guard does not maintain data for the unique4898number of detainees taken into custody. The table below lists the4899totals number of detainees taken into custody.49004901----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4902                                                                     FISCAL YEAR4903----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4904                                              2023                      2024                      2025*4905----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4906October                                                  16                        33                        504907November                                                 27                        32                        154908December                                                 13                        16                        374909January                                                   5                        12                        664910February                                                 26                        44                        454911March                                                    24                        32                        254912April                                                    32                        16                        304913May                                                      33                        10                        364914June                                                     15                        24                        404915July                                                     21                        10                        284916August                                                   17                        26                        644917September                                                38                        33                        524918----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4919TOTAL                                              267caret                  288caret                  488caret4920----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4921Data validated through Q3.4922caret Detainees not landed ashore in the U.S. or a partner nation for prosecution were either medically4923 evacuated or treated as SAR survivors if no contraband was located.4924----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------49254926    b. Detainees remanded to U.S. for possible prosecution.4927    Answer. Starting in April 2025, the monthly totals below do not4928include detainees landed ashore in the U.S.49294930----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4931                                                                     Fiscal Year4932----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4933                                              2023                      2024                      2025*4934----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4935October                                                  16                        31                        444936November                                                 27                        29                        154937December                                                 13                        12                        324938January                                                   2                        10                        634939February                                                 22                        42                        394940March                                                    22                        32                        254941April                                                    27                        10                       2**4942May                                                      29                         9                         04943June                                                     14                        21                         04944July                                                     21                        10                         04945August                                                   17                        26                        114946September                                                35                        30               2caretcaret4947----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4948TOTAL                                              245caret                  262caret                  233caret4949----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4950* Data validated through Q34951caret Detainees not landed ashore in the U.S. or a partner nation for prosecution were either medically4952 evacuated or treated as SAR survivors if no contraband was located.4953** Detainees were prosecuted for assault on Federal officers, not drug related charges.4954caretcaret Detainees were U.S. citizens and therefore not subject to the MDLEA pause.4955----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------49564957    c. Detainees not remanded to U.S. for possible prosecution.4958    Answer. Data includes detainees turned over to partner nations but4959does not include SAR survivors or detainees that were medically4960evacuated.49614962----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4963                                                                     Fiscal Year4964----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4965                                              2023                      2024                      2025*4966----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4967October                                                   0                         2                         64968November                                                  0                         3                         04969December                                                  0                         4                         04970January                                                   3                         0                         04971February                                                  0                         2                         64972March                                                     2                         0                         04973April                                                     0                         6                        284974May                                                       4                         0                        364975June                                                      0                         0                        404976July                                                      0                         0                        274977August                                                    0                         0                        534978September                                                 3                         2                        504979----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4980TOTAL                                               12caret                   19caret                  246caret4981----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4982* Data validated through Q34983caret Detainees not landed ashore in the U.S. or a partner nation for prosecution were either medically4984 evacuated or treated as SAR survivors if no contraband was located.4985----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------49864987    Question 3. Please indicate any changes made to USCG operations,4988processes, and criminal referrals based on the implementation of the4989memorandum titled ``Total Elimination of Cartels and Transnational4990Criminal Organizations,'' issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi on4991February 5, 2025.49924993    a. Please provide any guidance or memorandum issued to USCG4994personnel related to implementation.4995    Answer. The Coast Guard has not made any changes to its operations,4996processes, or criminal referrals based on the implementation of the4997referenced DOJ memorandum.49984999[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]50005001Flight Operations:5002    Question 1. Please provide the total number of flights Coast Guard5003has conducted in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement5004(ICE) in calendar year 2025, with a description of the purpose of each5005flight.5006    Answer. 763 flights. The purpose of each flight is the transfer of5007illegal aliens between ICE detention centers within the continental5008U.S.50095010    Question 2. Please provide the total number of noncitizens the5011Coast Guard has transported in support of ICE in calendar year 2025.5012    Answer. The Coast Guard transported 8,234 aliens in support of ICE5013in calendar year 2025.50145015    Question 3. Please provide the total cost per flight, including the5016personnel costs, fuel costs, and other expenditures.5017    Answer. The average total cost per flight is approximately5018$56,485.00 for a HC-130 and $77,834.00 for a C-27 flight.50195020    Question 4. When conducting a transportation flight in support of5021ICE, does USCG maintain its own manual for operations or is ICE5022guidance utilized? If USCG maintains its own manual, please provide.5023    Answer. The Coast Guard operates in accordance with its own5024Standard Operating Procedure.50255026[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]50275028    Question 5. Do USCG personnel operating flights in support of ICE5029receive training before conducting a transport flight?5030    Answer. Coast Guard personnel arrive having completed and been5031certified in standardized Law Enforcement qualifications. Deployed5032personnel receive additional on-the-job training from ICE for mission-5033specific parameters prior to their first operational sortie.50345035    Question 6. Please provide a list of any non-Coast Guard personnel5036present on flights in support of ICE and a description of each of their5037roles for the flight.5038    Answer. As described in the provided Standard Operating Procedure,5039non-Coast Guard personnel present on flights in support of ICE include5040U.S. Federal Deportation Agents, who maintain legal custody and5041accountability of all aliens and associated personal belongings onboard5042the flight. Deportation Agents will direct embarkation and5043disembarkation procedures (with concurrence of the Security Team and5044aircrew), orderly security and care of aliens during the flight, and5045tasking/positioning of Security Team members. Deportation Agents are5046responsible for any follow-on LE investigative activity resulting from5047actions of aliens during AEO. The lead agency is responsible for5048providing food, water, and consumables for the care of aliens in5049flight. The Coast Guard defers to the Department of Homeland Security5050and ICE regarding any other specific roles and responsibilities of5051personnel outside of the Coast Guard.5052Support to other agencies:5053    Question 1. When USCG receives a request for support from another5054agency, what is your process of reviewing such requests and determining5055USCG's ability to fulfill its statutory missions?5056    Answer. Decisions are typically delegated to the Coast Guard5057operational commander to assess current operations and capacity to5058dedicate or provide assets in support of an agency request. For larger,5059planned events requesting Coast Guard support, such as the United5060Nations General Assembly or Boston Marathon, the Coast Guard evaluates5061the events through an executive board to recommend the level of planned5062support. Operational commanders have the authority to divert resources5063from planned support if more emergent mission needs arise.50645065    Question 2. Beyond the flight operations discussed above, please5066provide a list of all support provided to ICE or U.S. Customs and5067Border Protection pursuant to 14 USC Sec. 701(a) for calendar year50682025.5069    Answer. In addition to the flight operations above, the Coast Guard5070has provided temporary personnel augmentation for missions such as5071alien intake, transport, and processing functions at ICE staging5072facilities in Florida and Texas, and deployable specialized forces5073support to CBP at Border Control Tactical Unit operations.50745075    Question 3. In calendar year 2025, have any USCG facilities been5076used for ICE holding or immigration detention? If so, please provide:50775078    a. The name of the facility, the dates the facility was used for5079detention, the number of individuals detained (broken down my minors5080and adults), the maximum number of individuals detained at one time,5081and the maximum amount of time any minor and adult has been detained at5082each of the facilities.5083    Answer. No Coast Guard facilities have been used for immigration5084detention.50855086    Question 4. What, if any, USCG resources are being used for5087operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay?5088    Answer. There is a permanent Aviation Detachment at Naval Station5089Guantanamo Bay consisting of four Coast Guard members who primarily5090support cutter logistics and aircrew deployments.5091Operation River Wall5092    Question 1. Please provide operation details for Operation River5093Wall, including:50945095    a. The Federal agency that is the lead on Operation River Wall and5096other participating agencies.5097    Answer. The Coast Guard is the lead Federal agency for Operation5098River Wall. Other agencies operating in this area include Joint Task5099Force--Southern Border, the Texas Military Department, the Texas Parks5100and Wildlife, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Border5101Patrol, and the U.S. Custom and Border Protection Air and Marine5102Operations.51035104    b. Duties of USCG personnel supporting the operation.5105    Answer. Coast Guard forces lead maritime law enforcement operations5106to control, secure, and defend approximately 260 river miles of the Rio5107Grande River along the U.S. maritime border in eastern Texas.51085109    c. The planned duration for the operation.5110    Answer. The Coast Guard has not determined the duration for the5111operation.51125113    d. The geographic locations covered by the operation.5114    Answer. The operation includes the Rio Grande River in Cameron and5115Hidalgo counties in eastern Texas, extending to the sea.51165117    e. USCG assets being used for the operation.5118    Answer. The Coast Guard has employed various small boats and air5119boats capable of operating in the shallow waters along the Rio Grande.51205121    f. The number of USCG personnel supporting the operation, and5122whether any personnel have been reassigned from other operating5123locations or USCG missions.5124    Answer. There are currently (as of 24 November 2025) 364 personnel5125supporting Operation River Wall, reassigned from various units and5126deployable specialized forces to minimize the impact at any single unit5127or region.51285129    Question 2. Please provide the number of apprehensions made by USCG5130as part of Operation River Wall.5131    Answer. As of November 22, 2025, the Coast Guard supported the5132apprehension of 79 aliens and deterred 98 aliens from reaching the5133United States.51345135    a. Of these apprehensions, please provide the number of individuals5136have been referred for criminal prosecutions, broken down by charges.5137    Answer. The Coast Guard defers to U.S. Border Patrol on criminal5138prosecution data.51395140    b. Of these apprehensions, please provide the number of individuals5141that have been charged with civil immigration violations, broken down5142by charges.5143    Answer. The Coast Guard defers to U.S. Border Patrol for charges5144brought against illegal aliens.5145Maritime Migration5146    Question 1. Please provide the number of migrants interdicted at5147sea by USCG and transferred to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in calendar5148year 2025, broken down by month. `5149    Answer.51505151------------------------------------------------------------------------5152  Calendar Year 2025 Migrant Transfers to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay5153-------------------------------------------------------------------------5154               Month                            # of Migrants5155------------------------------------------------------------------------5156                           January                                    15157                          February                                    15158                             March                                    05159                             April                                    15160                               May                                    05161                              June                                    05162                              July                                    15163                            August                                    05164                         September                                    15165                           October                                    05166                          November                                    15167                          December                                    -5168------------------------------------------------------------------------51695170    a. Of these individuals, please identify whether any are minors.5171    Answer. No aliens transferred were minors.5172                                 ______51735174   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Baldwin to5175                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday5176    Since the public disclosure of Operation Fouled Anchor regarding5177the investigation of sexual assault and sexual harassment, the Coast5178Guard has issued 33 directed actions to prevent and respond to sexual5179misconduct. Of those actions, 24 have been completed.5180    Question 1. If confirmed, what is your plan to fully implement the5181remaining recommendations?5182    Answer. I have taken decisive action to combat and eliminate sexual5183assault and sexual harassment from our Service. We have completed 24 of5184the 33 Commandant's Directed Actions, including six since January 20,51852025. We are on track to fully complete all 33 actions in 2026.5186Further, we will take additional actions to continue to combat and5187eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment from the Coast Guard.51885189    Question 2. How much funding is required to fully implement the5190remaining recommendations and sustain the already completed5191recommendations each Fiscal Year?5192    Answer. The Fiscal Year 2026 President's Budget provides adequate5193resources to complete the Commandant's Directed Actions, including5194targeted investments to support sexual assault prevention, trauma-5195informed survivor services, and independent investigations.5196    In addition, the Fiscal Year 2026 Unfunded Priorities List includes5197a request for $18.4 million for additional Commandant's Directed5198Actions Enhancements to further cultivate and maintain a workplace free5199of sexual assault and other harmful behaviors.52005201    Question 3. How is the Coast Guard measuring the success of these5202directed actions in preventing and responding to sexual misconduct?5203    Answer. As part of the Commandant Directed Action ``Survey Analysis5204and Trend Development,'' the Coast Guard is developing a tool utilizing5205data from existing workforce surveys to track the effect of the5206directed actions. Additionally, the Coast Guard seeks direct feedback5207from the force through commanding officers, officers-in-charge,5208supervisors, and command senior enlisted leaders on the success of5209these actions.52105211    Due to the unique nature of the Coast Guard, Coast Guardsmen are5212often stationed in remote or rural locations that lack many key5213services they depend on for the quality of life of themselves and their5214families.52155216    Question 1. If confirmed, what actions would you take to improve5217the quality of life of Coast Guardsmen and their families stationed in5218remote or rural locations?5219    Answer. Supporting our members at remote units is one of my top5220priorities, and Force Design 2028 offers the Coast Guard a way to5221deliver on this priority. If confirmed, I will work with Congress to5222increase medical staff, improve housing options, and enhance childcare5223services for our members and their families, particularly at remote5224units.52255226    Question 2. If confirmed, how would you ensure that Coast Guardsmen5227and their families in remote or rural duty stations have access to5228broadband internet?5229    Answer. We are modernizing our network infrastructure by5230transitioning to Enterprise Infrastructure Services and deploying5231OneWeb satellite services in remote locations. We have already upgraded523258 percent of our legacy data circuits and will complete the transition5233by the end of Fiscal Year 2026. We intend to deploy OneWeb satellite5234Internet to all areas lacking reliable terrestrial connections by the5235end of calendar year 2026.5236    This effort will provide high-speed, low-latency broadband that5237supports mission and mission support activities, such as telehealth,5238remote education, and communications with family members.52395240    Question 3. If confirmed, how would you ensure that Coast Guardsmen5241and their families in remote or rural duty stations have access to high5242quality medical care?5243    Answer. If confirmed, through Force Design 2028 we will increase5244the number of Coast Guard medical care providers and support staff by5245at least 500 people to ensure the ability to meet the health care needs5246of the workforce. Additionally, as we pursue growing to a $20 billion5247Service, we will expand access to primary healthcare medical services5248for Coast Guard members and their families in remote locations by5249leveraging deployable medical capabilities and optimizing the use of5250telehealth.5251                                 ______52525253  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to5254                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday5255Military Personnel Career Management5256    Question 1. If confirmed, do you commit that you will not support5257firing flag officers simply for executing lawful policies of a past5258administration?5259    Answer. Yes.52605261    Question 2. If confirmed, do you commit not to retaliate against5262flag officers or military servicemembers for executing lawful policies5263enacted by a previous administration?5264    Answer. Yes.52655266    Question 3. If confirmed, do you commit that you will not use5267military officers' record of executing policy or their personal beliefs5268as promotion criteria either formally or informally?5269    Answer. Yes.52705271    Question 4. If confirmed, do you commit to providing timely5272documented justifications to this Committee for any removals or re-5273details of flag officers from command?5274    Answer. Yes.52755276    Question 5. If confirmed, do you commit to providing timely5277documented justifications to this Committee for any actions taken to5278execute the Secretary of Homeland Security's direction to reduce the5279flag officer corps?5280    Answer. Yes.52815282    Question 6. If confirmed, you will be the senior-most Coast Guard5283officer, setting the tone for professionalism and integrity across the5284service. In an environment where officers worry about retaliation for5285providing candid advice, what would you say to reassure Coast Guard5286officers and enlisted servicemember that their duty to provide their5287best military judgment will be respected and protected?5288    Answer. Coast Guard personnel have a duty to provide candid advice5289based on their professional judgment, consistent with their oath of5290office or oath of enlistment.52915292    Question 7. How will you ensure that the Coast Guard continues to5293provide honest military advice to civilian leaders--even when those5294recommendations may be politically inconvenient?5295    Answer. Coast Guard personnel are bound by duty and their oath of5296office or oath of enlistment to provide honest military advice to5297civilian leaders.52985299    On January 21, 2025, an unnamed ``senior DHS official'' defended5300President Donald Trump's firing of Admiral Linda Fagan by stating,5301``She was terminated because of her leadership deficiencies,5302operational failures, and inability to advance the strategic objectives5303of the U.S. Coast Guard.''53045305    Question 8. Please describe in detail the leadership deficiencies,5306operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives5307of the U.S. Coast Guard that you witnessed Admiral Fagan engage in5308while serving as Commandant--or if you disagree with the assessment of5309the senior DHS official, please explain why.5310    Answer. I was not part of the decision to relieve Admiral Fagan and5311refer you to the Department of Homeland Security.53125313    Question 9. If the Trump administration truly believes it5314terminated Admiral Fagan for cause, why do you believe that you were5315not also removed, given your tenure as Vice Commandant under Commandant5316Fagan, as well as your significant command responsibilities in the5317years leading up to becoming Vice Commandant?5318    Answer. I was not part of the decision to relieve Admiral Fagan and5319refer you to the Department of Homeland Security.5320Oversight Responsibilities5321    Question 1. If confirmed, do you commit that your deliberations and5322decisions will only be communicated through official, secure channels5323and any decisions properly documented for both oversight and5324institutional memory?5325    Answer. Yes.53265327    Question 2. Would you follow an illegal, unlawful or immoral order?5328    Answer. No.53295330    Question 3. If confirmed, do you commit to executing the Coast5331Guard budget faithfully, and rooting out instances of waste, fraud and5332abuse?5333    Answer. Yes.53345335    Question 4. How do you plan to balance shipbuilding challenges with5336ensuring the timely delivery of the critical polar icebreaker program?5337    Answer. The Coast Guard restructured its acquisition organization5338with single points of accountability for each program area. The Deputy5339Commandant for Systems oversees all major programs, and I chair a5340weekly Investment Council to ensure rigorous oversight for management5341and execution of all funding provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill5342Act. For Polar Security Cutters, we achieved design maturity, resolved5343contract issues, and are on track to deliver PSC #1 in 2030.53445345    Question 5. Will you commit to increased transparency and engaging5346with Congress on considered cuts or changes to ensure the full impacts5347are understood prior to decisions being made?5348    Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure transparency and engage with5349Congress as required on decisions I make.53505351    Question 6. Will you commit to ensuring a timely response to5352requests for information?5353    Answer. Yes.5354Station Closures5355    During our call, you stated you would provide data on station5356closures and manning decisions, particularly in the Great Lakes region.5357I am concerned by recent actions of this Administration to withhold5358funding from constituents solely because they did not vote for this5359President.53605361    Question 1. If confirmed, do you commit to providing any and all5362data and requirements used in determining Coast Guard station manning5363requirements to the Committee?5364    Answer. Yes.53655366    Question 2. If confirmed, do you commit to non-partisan decision5367making when determining staffing decisions?5368    Answer. Yes.5369Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion5370    Recent reporting indicates that earlier this month, the Coast Guard5371attempted to rewrite its policy on ``Harassing Behavior, Prevention,5372Response, and Accountability'' to classify nooses and Nazi-era swastika5373insignia as only ``potentially divisive (emphasis added),'' which5374triggered intense backlash and forced the Coast Guard to issue a new5375policy on Thursday, November 20, 2025, clarifying that the Coast Guard5376``specifically sees swastikas and nooses as hate symbols'' and that5377they are ``expressly prohibited.''53785379    Question 1. Did you personally approve or reject any effort,5380formally or informally, to cease considering nooses and swastikas to be5381hate symbols and instead merely ``potentially divisive?''5382    Answer. My November 20, 2025 policy and lawful order doubles down5383and clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit5384divisive or hate symbols and flags and strengthens our processes for5385preventing and responding to hate incidents. The claims that the Coast5386Guard will no longer classify or are ``downgrading'' the classification5387of swastikas, nooses, or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols5388are categorically false. There is no reversal in Coast Guard policy on5389this matter.53905391    Question 2. Were you aware of any effort, formally or informally,5392to cease considering nooses and swastikas to be hate symbols and5393instead merely ``potentially divisive?''5394    Answer. My November 20, 2025 policy and lawful order clarified the5395display of divisive or hate symbols and flags remains prohibited as a5396violation of Coast Guard policy and the Uniform Code of Military5397Justice. This action was to combat any misinformation and affirm that5398the U.S. Coast Guard forbids these symbols. The claims that the Coast5399Guard will no longer classify or are ``downgrading'' the classification5400of swastikas, nooses, or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols5401are categorically false.54025403    Question 3. If you neither approved, rejected or were aware of this5404effort to change Coast Guard policy to remain open to the possibility5405that nooses and swastikas are not divisive in the Coast Guard, why do5406you believe despite serving as Acting Commandant, Coast Guard personnel5407sought to make such a deeply alarming policy change without your5408knowledge or approval?5409    Answer. The claims that the Coast Guard will no longer classify or5410are ``downgrading'' the classification of swastikas, nooses, or other5411extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false. The5412term ``potentially divisive'' was used to broaden the scope of5413prohibited divisive or hate symbols and flags to include not only those5414known and widely recognized hate symbols (e.g., swastikas and nooses),5415but also prohibit those symbols and flags that are adopted or co-opted5416by hate groups or extremists and displayed as symbols of supremacy,5417racial or religious intolerance, anti-semitism, or other improper bias.54185419    Question 4. Do you believe this scandal may be fairly interpreted5420as a negative reflection of the command climate you have fostered since5421President Trump's firing of Admiral Linda Fagan on January 21, 2025?5422    Answer. No.54235424    Question 5. What actions have you personally taken to address the5425concerns that even a failed attempt by the Coast Guard to classify5426nooses and Nazi swastikas as potentially unifying undermines unite5427cohesion, weakens trust and calls into question Coast Guard5428leadership's commitment to foundational constitutional principles,5429including equal protection under the law and religious freedom?5430    Answer. My November 20, 2025, policy and lawful order doubles down5431and clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit5432divisive or hate symbols and flags and strengthens our processes for5433preventing and responding to hate incidents. The claims that the Coast5434Guard will no longer classify or are ``downgrading'' the classification5435of swastikas, nooses, or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols5436are categorically false.54375438    Question 6. If confirmed, how will you ensure non-white and non-5439Christian members of the Coast Guard are confident that segments of5440leadership--especially individuals involved in the scandal related to5441the failed effort to reclassify nooses and swastikas as only5442``potentially divisive'' symbols--do not harbor hatred toward them and5443sympathy towards the Nazis and/or racists that lynched Black Americans?5444    Answer. The Coast Guard prohibits and does not tolerate the display5445of divisive or hate symbols and flags, including those identified with5446supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, anti-semitism, or other5447improper bias. Display of these and other hate symbols violate Coast5448Guard policy, military law, and our core values.54495450    Question 7. Have you ever owned or displayed swastikas in a5451professional or personal setting?5452    Answer. No.54535454    Question 8. Have you ever owned or displayed a noose in a5455professional or personal setting?5456    Answer. No.54575458    Question 9. Do you believe a noose is a symbol of hate?5459    Answer. Yes.54605461    Question 10. Do you believe a swastika is a symbol of hate?5462    Answer. Yes.54635464    Question 11. Do you believe a swastika can be a unifying symbol for5465the United States Coast Guard?5466    Answer. No.54675468    Question 12. Do you believe a noose can be a unifying symbol for5469the United States Coast Guard?5470    Answer. No.54715472    Question 13. Given the Trump administration's gaslighting denials5473that this scandal ever took place, will you commit to immediately5474requesting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector5475General conduct an independent investigation into this deeply troubling5476incident that occurred under your leadership?5477    Answer. The claims that the Coast Guard will no longer classify5478swastikas, nooses or other divisive or hate symbols and flags as5479prohibited are categorically false. I welcome the Office of Inspector5480General's review of Coast Guard policy on the matter.5481                                 ______54825483   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to5484                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday5485    The Coast Guard has done an admirable job interdicting vessels,5486which often leads to arrests and information that can be used to5487prosecute drug traffickers and those associated with their operations.5488It is my understanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has lost5489over 5,000 employees since January 2025.54905491    Question 1. How many lawyers does the U.S. Coast Guard currently5492have detailed to the Department of Justice to assist with prosecutions5493of drug related crimes?5494    Answer. Four full-time and two part-time Coast Guard attorneys are5495detailed to the Department of Justice. However, their portfolios are5496not exclusively to assist with prosecutions of drug offenses.54975498    Question 2. Do you think that the Department of Justice could more5499effectively use Coast Guard attorneys to prosecute these drug smugglers5500given their successful history?5501    Answer. The Coast Guard legal program has long had a mutually5502beneficial relationship with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and worked5503collaboratively to ensure accountability for those who violate Federal5504law. We will continue to work closely with our DOJ partners.55055506    On November 20th multiple news outlets reported that the Coast5507Guard would no longer classify certain symbols or flags co-opted or5508adopted by any hate-based groups, such as swastikas and nooses, as hate5509symbols. While I understand a new policy memo was released that re-5510classified these symbols and flags as hate symbols, I am concerned5511about the processes and decision that allowed this change to even be5512under consideration.55135514    Question 1. What approval process did the policy memo that de-5515classified these symbols go through?5516    Answer. There is no reversal in Coast Guard policy on this matter.5517The November 20, 2025 policy and lawful order doubles down and5518clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit divisive5519or hate symbols and flags, and strengthens our processes for preventing5520and responding to hate incidents. The claims that the Coast Guard de-5521classified these symbols or are ``downgrading'' the classification of5522swastikas, nooses, or other hate symbols as prohibited are5523categorically false.55245525    Question 2. Did you, as acting commandant, approve the release of5526the policy memo?5527    Answer. Yes.55285529    Question 3. What involvement did the Department of Homeland5530Security have in the drafting and approval of this policy memo?5531    Answer. None.55325533    Question 4. The reported policy change would only trigger a5534supervisory inquiry instead of an investigation. In light of your5535statement that ``any display, use, or promotion of such symbols, as5536always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished,'' can5537you explain how these cases will be investigated differently than5538before this policy change?5539    Answer. My November 20, 2025 policy and lawful order doubles down5540and clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit5541divisive or hate symbols and flags, and strengthens our processes for5542preventing and responding to hate incidents. As always, hate incidents5543will be immediately reported, thoroughly investigated, and severely5544punished. There is no change to effective policy governing notification5545and processing for potential and actual hate incidents, including5546responsibility for inquiry or investigation into reported incidents,5547contained in Chapter 3F and 3G of the Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual,5548COMDTINST M5350.4E.5549                                 ______55505551   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Fetterman to5552                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday5553    Admiral Lunday, while the Coast Guard's station in Erie, PA has not5554been included in the Coast Guard's lists of stations to be closed, the5555station in Ashtabula, OH--about 50 nautical miles west of Erie--was5556included. In 2025, Station Ashtabula was adjusted from a seasonally5557operated station to not being staffed at all.5558    As a result, Station Erie and local first responders in5559Pennsylvania are now expected to cover hundreds of nautical miles more5560for search and rescue missions, without any additional resources or5561manpower.5562    In 2025, five people tragically lost their lives across three5563separate incidents along the Pennsylvania coast of Lake Erie, which is5564an abnormally high number for the area. Two of those three incidents5565occurred on the same weekend in July.5566    In response to Senator Baldwin questions on the closure of Coast5567Guard stations along the Great Lakes, you said you took part in the5568decision on where to reduce staffing at [Coast Guard] stations'' and5569that these decisions were made ``due to a shortage in the enlisted5570workforce''.5571    In your response to Senator Peters' questions, you mentioned that5572the Coast Guard ``recruited more this year than any other time since55731991''.55745575    Question 1. Given the increase in drownings this past year along5576the Pennsylvania coast of Lake Erie and the fact that the Coast Guard's5577recruitment numbers are at the highest levels since 1991, will you5578commit to either reopening Station Ashtabula or committing additional5579staffing to Station Erie to ensure adequate coverage along the Lake5580Erie coast?5581    Answer. The Coast Guard has not made final decisions on any5582stations impacted by the Force Alignment Initiative. If confirmed, I5583will continue to ensure adequate search and rescue coverage along the5584Lake Erie coast.55855586    In your response to Senator Baldwin's question regarding the Coast5587Guard's plans to close stations in Wisconsin, you mentioned there will5588be an assessment as part of Force Design 2028 on the Coast Guard's5589force structure and where its stations are.55905591    Question 2. Will you commit to completing this assessment and5592implementing any necessary changes before next April, to ensure that5593stations along Lake Erie and the Great Lakes are staffed adequately for5594the summer of 2026?5595    Answer. If confirmed, I will direct the assessment and5596implementation of any necessary adjustments as swiftly as possible.5597                                 ______55985599      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Andy Kim to5600                        Admiral Kevin E. Lunday5601Cape May Training Center5602    Question 1. Admiral Lunday, Cape May is the Coast Guard's only5603enlisted basic training facility. It produces every new Coast Guardsman5604we send into the field, yet the infrastructure has suffered from5605decades of deferred maintenance--crumbling foundations, outdated5606barracks, and systems that simply aren't built for today's recruitment5607demand. With record enlistments and $425 million now headed to Cape5608May, we must finally bring this facility into the 21st century. Can you5609commit to me that, if confirmed, you will make Cape May's modernization5610a top leadership priority and work with me to ensure the facility is5611fully restored to meet the demands of the Coast Guard's growing5612workforce?5613    Answer. Yes.5614Coast Guard Policy on Extremism5615    Question 2. Recent reporting revealed that a November 2 Coast Guard5616policy update appeared to reclassify extremist symbols--including5617swastikas and nooses--from `potential hate incidents' to `harassment'5618or `divisive symbols,' removing the term `hate incident' from policy5619language, before the service later issued a clarification reaffirming5620that such symbols remain prohibited. This inconsistency raises concerns5621about internal policy clarity, communication, and oversight. If5622confirmed, will you commit to ensuring that extremist symbols such as5623swastikas, nooses, and other hate-based imagery are consistently and5624explicitly classified, reported, and treated as prohibited hate symbols5625across all Coast Guard policies, and that any future changes to5626classification or reporting protocols are communicated transparently5627and handled with the seriousness they warrant?5628    Answer. Yes. There is no reversal in Coast Guard policy on this5629matter. My November 20, 2025, policy and lawful order doubles down and5630clarifies the strength of our existing policies that prohibit divisive5631or hate symbols and flags and strengthens our processes for preventing5632and responding to hate incidents. Claims that the Coast Guard will no5633longer classify or are ``downgrading'' the classification of swastikas,5634nooses, or other hate symbols as prohibited symbols are categorically5635false.56365637                                  [all]