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Adm. Thomas J. Collins: A Leader for Our Times

By Sheila M. McNeill, National President
Sea Power
March 2005

Written between the lines of the presidential directive on homeland security issued in December is a comforting message: the Coast Guard will continue to be at the center of strategic planning and tactics for the protection of U.S. interests in the maritime domain.

The purpose of that directive is to integrate all maritime programs and initiatives into a cohesive national effort to improve U.S. security. The Coast Guard’s involvement in its several elements to bolster security -- ranging from Maritime Domain Awareness to international outreach -- is indicative of the service’s growing national role.

The Coast Guard has become a major factor in the nation’s antiterrorism efforts and is at the forefront of initiatives to tighten the security of its ports and waterways. The Coast Guard deployed 11 ships and 1,250 people that played a pivotal role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and continues to combat drug smuggling into the United States. Meanwhile, the service is managing the largest procurement program in its history while patching together the deteriorating ships and aircraft of its existing fleet.

The service’s organizational agility and consistent excellence under pressure are reflective of the capabilities of our Coast Guard men and women. They are highly skilled professionals with a passion for their work.

At the helm of the service is a leader for our times: Adm. Thomas J. Collins, the Coast Guard commandant. As the events of 9/11 unfolded, he tightened security in the nation’s harbors and had the foresight to begin preparing his organization for the enormous changes he knew were sure to come.

These included rapid implementation of the International Ship and Port Security code, approved by 140 nations, that increases the security of vessels, ports and offshore facilities within U.S. jurisdiction. The Coast Guard quickly created 13 Maritime Safety and Security Teams for the defense of the nation’s major ports, waterways and coastal areas. Originally comprised of about 80 people, some teams are now being expanded to 186 and given added responsibilities.

In league with other agencies, the Coast Guard has vastly expanded the capabilities of the National Maritime Intelligence Center, which obtains and analyzes detailed information on the cargo and crews of the 400 ships that arrive at our 361 ports each day. The service has upgraded its intelligence capabilities and is helping to create prototype Joint Harbor Operations Centers in San Diego and Portsmouth, Va.

The service since 2001 has grown by 14 percent to 41,000 people, due in part to the Navy League’s instrumental role in advancing the Coast Guard’s legislative agenda. Our organization played a part in passage of the Homeland Security Act, for example, and fostered approval of the first Coast Guard authorization act in half a century. Yet years of underfunding threaten to hamstring that growth as Coast Guard ships, aircraft and communications systems fall further into disrepair under the strain of additional missions and responsibilities. The number of days without major maintenance problems “is about 35 to 40 percent. That’s an alarming statistic,” Collins said.

However, Collins strikes the right balance between the need to maintain legacy assets while upgrading the fleet. Coast Guard helicopters are being modernized on an urgent basis and Collins has made headway in gaining funding for the service’s Integrated Deepwater System of new ships, aircraft and intelligence systems. He often points to the advantages of accelerating Deepwater, generating benefits in costs and capability that are needed in these challenging times.

Under Collins’ direction, the Coast Guard has transformed itself into a larger, tougher, more capable organization and laid a foundation for maritime security that will serve our nation for years to come.

For more information, please visit the Sea Power Website at http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power

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