Coast Guard ain't the Navy.
If America ever closes (I say "close" rather than "secure", because the best job America can do is a half-arsed job of "closing" it, which would actually make it "secure", rather than just a half-arsed job of "securing" it
) that southern border, the narcs will go open-ocean. Probably some up to Canada and down through ND and MN, but a lot will be the usual fast runners. They'll eventually get some subs going, beyond any doubt. They
will purchase that stuff from the Russians and Chinese.
Eventually, the Coast Guard will have to form a few battle groups of large, fast-attack vessels. We will probably have to re-start the hydrofoil projects, and load them with AS missiles and UAV's. Subrocs, sonabuoys, listening posts. It's going to get
crazy if we ever get the border "secured". The spice
MUST flow!
They don't belong off the damn coast, that's for sure. They have plenty to do in the backyard. I certainly don't "oppose" them heading over to Iraq, but they stay busy just down in the Gulf, between oil rigs. If they feel like playing over seas, go play overseas. They can have a full blown wog day, and dive the engine cannisters, and measure the flight deck with a weiner, and tabasco sauce, and all the other fun games.
The Navy is the Navy for a reason. The
Coast
Guard is the Coast Guard for a reason. Cross train a little bit, but do the job you're supposed to be doing.
[edit: Whoops! Guess I should've read through the thread before posting...]