The U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned its newest Fast Response Cutter (FRC), the USCG Earl Cunningham, in Kodiak, Alaska. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.
Deputy Secretary Edgar described the vessel’s role as critical to national security efforts in the Arctic. “The Cunningham will play a crucial role in keeping our country safe in a uniquely important region of the world,” said Edgar. “In the 20th century, security and prosperity were largely defined by the arms race and the space race. Now, in the 21st century, our security and prosperity will be defined by the race to the arctic. State-of-the art vessels like this one will ensure the Coast Guard is ready to take on this generational challenge.”
Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, commented on what this addition means for operations in Alaska: “Commissioning the USCGC Earl Cunningham strengthens our ability to control, secure, and defend Alaska's U.S. border and maritime approaches, protect resources vital to our economic prosperity, and respond to crises throughout the Aleutian Islands,” Lunday said. “This crew will honor the heroic legacy and selfless devotion to duty exemplified by Petty Officer Cunningham in the years ahead.”
Sentinel-class FRCs are advanced patrol boats designed for coastal security missions including national defense, search and rescue operations, as well as drug and migrant interdiction. The Earl Cunningham is now one of two FRCs based at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, increasing American presence in Arctic waters.
The commissioning comes as part of a larger initiative funded by President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and guided by Force Design 2028. This investment includes $25 billion allocated for strengthening U.S. Coast Guard capabilities in polar regions: $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters; $3.5 billion for three Arctic Security Cutters; $816 million for domestic icebreaking cutters; and $300 million for homeporting vessels in Juneau.
The USCGC Earl Cunningham was accepted into service on March 6, 2025, after being delivered in Key West, Florida. It is now the 58th FRC out of a planned fleet of 67 vessels.
The cutter is named after Petty Officer Earl Cunningham—a World War I veteran who lost his life during a search-and-rescue operation on Lake Michigan in February 1936.
