Coast Guard Cutter Waesche – the second of eight planned national security cutters – had a successful inaugural patrol, and after an in-port period is back at it again. Waesche’s crew is currently on an Asia-Pacific patrol and is once again demonstrating the national security cutter’s ability to uphold the Coast Guard’s centuries-old tradition of safeguarding our nation. Compass looks forward to bringing you updates from the men and women aboard Waesche with a new series, “On patrol with Waesche.” Check out the first installment below, as the cutter’s gunnery officer gives you a glimpse of Waesche’s firepower.

Written by Lt. j.g. Rachel Foote, gunnery officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Waesche.
Coast Guard Cutter Waesche is officially on Asia-Pacific patrol and kicked off the five-month deployment by participating in an historic set of gunnery exercises. The exercises, designed to test Waesche’s defenses against a low, slow-flying aircraft and a high-speed maneuvering surface target, put the gun crews of the cutter’s major mounts to the test.
Throughout the exercise, the gun crews used two of Waesche’s weapons systems – the 20 mm close-in weapons system and the 57 mm gun weapons system. The close-in weapons system has traditionally been used for air defense, however the system installed on Waesche and the other national security cutters is unique for the Coast Guard in that it has both air and surface firing modes.

Both of these modes were used in the exercises, and Waesche was only the second U.S. surface combatant and first Coast Guard cutter to use a close-in weapons system to defeat an unmanned aerial vehicle – with the profile of a low, slow-flying aircraft.
Waesche’s close-in weapons system team convincingly defeated the aircraft on its first inbound run, scoring multiple hits and causing the UAV to crash into the ocean. Then, in a first for a U.S. vessel, the cutter used the close-in weapons system in surface mode to finish destroying the UAV, scoring multiple direct hits on the remains of the floating aircraft and further breaking it apart.
”Being able to see and track the target by hand as opposed to completely automated was definitely an amazing experience,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class operator Douglas Locklear, an electronics technician and close-in weapons system operator.
The 57 mm gun weapons system is Waesche’s major caliber battery. The 57 mm fires at a cyclic rate of more than 200 rounds per minute and the ammunition can be programmed for effective use in multiple different scenarios depending on the target profile.
While at the exercises, Waesche also became the first U.S. asset to effectively utilize the 57 mm gun weapons system to inflict damage on a high-speed maneuvering surface target. The accuracy of Waeche’s gunnery allowed for multiple effective salvos – or simultaneous discharge of firearms – that neutralized the threat from the target before it could get close enough to the cutter to potentially inflict serious damage.

These gunnery exercises demonstrated Waesche and crew are ready to answer all threats and defend against multiple targets. The exercises also highlighted the teamwork necessary to achieve this high state of readiness. The watchstanders, operators, maintenance technicians and gun crews all worked hand in hand to attain these gunnery successes.
As the deployment continues, and new challenges are presented, Waesche looks forward to continuing this success and showing just how critical the national security cutter is in protecting our nation now and in the future.
I hope they’re practicing in the old fashioned modes as well. The new toys are great, and getting better, but ya still have to know how to use the old ones. Keep up the good work! C Jensen, USCG AUX, USMM.
Looks Like the nonrates have some paint projects on the bow.
Yes we did haha 😉
Elliot..looks like you might need to break out the bosun chair for that anchor pocket.
; (
Let’s hope the CG got this design right after the bloopers with the 210’s and 270’s. I trust the crew has decent berthing and are not stacked with cordwood. I also hope it has good manners at sea and doesn’t roll at the thought of a wave like the 210’s used to.
Rich Adamson
USCG 68-72
Rich,
From what I have seen of the berthing spaces, they are better than before and habitability was a big element in the design phases for the NSCs. At 418 Ft overall, they are the largest cutters the service has ever had.
I miss you guys!
I like to convey my sincere thanks to Captain Hatfield and the Crew of the Waesche, for spending their valuable time trying to explain all the task set out for the Samoa School of Maritime Training during their visit. 0900 -1100 LT 25th 04 2012, I’m greatful for your effort, Our boys learn a lot from you.. I hope you will see some of the comments from the boys when they were interviewed by the media… wish you all the best for your voyage.. Buonna Voyage God Bless… 2nd Mate. Zac ( Samoa Maritime School)
we miss you daddy
Bravo Zulu Waesche. Looks like yer not out of the spotlight yet, even with Stratton’s report to her new home in Alameda!
To Rich A, The berthing on that ship is better than any other in the fleet. Most of the berthings rooms for enlisted were 6 man (big spacious 8 man for the 1st classes) state rooms, each with it’s own computer workstation, head with a shower and toilet, sink and a TV. As a former non-rate and deckie, life was pretty good, even though there was only about a dozen of us nonrates between deck work and messcooking, life was drastically better than the horror stories I’ve heard about 378’s, 270’2 and 210’s.
I just don’t know what kind of low and slow hostile air target is going to be stupid enough to get close enough for the Phalanx to shoot at it.