Washington D.C. - The U.S. Coast Guard has acquired five PC-179s from the U.S. Navy through a lease transfer agreement. Three of these vessels will be homeported at Naval Station Pascagoula, helping to enhance homeland security and secure NS Pascagoula's place in America's defense structure, Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott announced today.

Naval Station Pascagoula will homeport the USCGC Tempest, Shamal and Toronado. San Diego will homeport the other two newly acquired PC-179 ships. The decision brings the total number of cutters stationed in Pascagoula to four.

Senator Cochran said, "The joint operation between Navy Station Pascagoula and the Coast Guard has proven to be very beneficial. I am pleased that Pascagoula has been chosen as the port to base three of the nation's most important homeland security cutters. This decision creates new opportunities for the Coast Guard in the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and will enhance the economic development of the area."

Senator Lott said, "This decision will significantly enhance the Coast Guard's homeland security capabilities in the very important Gulf Region, helping to protect key facilities like Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, the Chevron Refinery and other assets vital to our nation's security," Senator Lott said. "The cutters will also add to the Homeport's status as a multi-mission base, which would have positive implications in the anticipated 2005 base closure round."

The five 180-foot vessels are among 13 patrol craft which belong to the Navy's Special Operations Command. They have directly supported Coast Guard Homeland Security operations since November 2001, working jointly with the Coast Guard to help protect our nation's coastline, ports, and waterways, and operating under Coast Guard tactical control.