ALCOAST 097/24 - FEB 2024 SCHEDULED MISSION STATIONS/FORWARD OPERATING LOCATION POLICY

R 281155Z FEB 24   MID120000919234U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 097/24
SSIC 16240
SUBJ: SCHEDULED MISSION STATIONS/FORWARD OPERATING LOCATION POLICY
A. Boat Operations and Training (BOAT), Volume I,
COMDTINST 16114.32F
B. Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Volume II,
COMDTINST 16114.33E
C. Ordnance Manual, COMDTINST 8000.2G
D. Physical Security and Force Protection Program, COMDTINST
M5530.1C
1. This ALCOAST announces the establishment and concept of
operations for Scheduled Mission Stations and Forward Operating
Locations.
2. Scheduled Mission Stations (SMS) and Forward Operating Locations
(FOL) are temporary pending full personnel resourcing and this
policy only applies to those units who have been transitioned to
SMS/FOL as part of the Force Alignment Initiative.
3. Background: The Coast Guard is experiencing one of the most
significant workforce shortages in the Coast Guard's history. The
Boat Forces Community cannot maintain the same level of operations
with a shortfall of this magnitude. Operating our assets without the
necessary personnel can put our personnel and the American public at
risk. An extensive analysis was conducted to prioritize our life
saving missions with a focus on reducing redundancy to provide a
predictable response posture across the Nation to minimize risk to
the boating public. This analysis included evaluation of response
range rings of Coast Guard Boat Stations and Air Stations, a review
of historical case load, and with a recognition that Coast Guard
boat capability (i.e.. speed, technology, etc.), as well as command
center capability (i.e.. Rescue 21), have advanced since the initial
establishment of many Coast Guard Station locations. This analysis
informed the Coast Guard's decision to create 19 Scheduled Mission
Stations and 23 Forward Operating Locations.
4. Scheduled Mission Station (SMS): A Coast Guard Station with
minimal staffing and resources, structured to conduct training,
maintenance, and scheduled operations, with limited organic logistic
and administrative capability. The SMS has assigned personnel to
conduct scheduled missions and operate assigned assets from the
physical location of the SMS or as assigned by the Operational
Commander. A PWCS SMS is a SMS that has extra personnel and boats
assigned in order to maintain the capability to conduct scheduled
PWCS Level 1 operations. All SMS will retain a command cadre
consisting of a CO/OIC, XPO and EPO.
    a. Responsibilities - The District
Commander, Sector Commander, and SMS CO/OIC shall:
        (1) Schedule work in response to training, maintenance, and
mission demand/maritime activity in the AOR.
        (2) Establish and maintain certified boat crew/s IAW with REF
(B).
        (3) Not impose self-generated requirements that conflict with
the policy herein or in higher existing Commandant Directives.
    b. List of SMS: The Office of Boat Forces Unit Classification
listing will be updated as units transition to SMS status. The
complete list of Boat Forces unit types are located on the Office of
Boat Forces SharePoint site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg731/SitePages/Unit%20Class
ification.aspx

    c. Procedures for Modifying SMS: District/Sector Commanders and
COs/OICs have the authority to assign work and/or work hours based
on training, maintenance, or mission demand, however, shall strive
to not exceed eight hours per day or 40 hours per week. SMS are not
staffed for and shall not be expected to maintain a response posture
outside of scheduled work hours. Under extreme conditions (e.g.
hurricane, extended SAR), recall of SMS crews is at the discretion
of the Operational Commander, in coordination with the SMS CO/OIC.
Based on operational requirements, District Commanders have the
authority to adjust established work hour requirements for a period
of no longer than 30 days. Districts shall document the reasons why
the SMS established work hours were adjusted and provide that to
Office of Boat Forces (CG-731) through Area for consideration of
future organizational decisions. Recommendations to permanently
change a SMS established work hours shall be referred to the COMDT
(CG-731) for consultation and guidance.
    d. Boat Maintenance: SMS shall maintain assigned boats IAW
applicable policies, requirements, or guidelines. SMS shall
coordinate with Sector Engineering for any maintenance beyond SMS
capabilities.
    e. Reservists: The Boat Forces Reserve Management Plan strives to
support mobilization readiness for reservists assigned to boat force
units. All Boat Forces units shall train reservists to their
assigned billet requirement. Continue to work with the Office of
Boat Forces (CG-731) Reserve Program Specialist to adjust training
capacity.
    f. District Commander's Responsibilities: District Commanders
shall:
        (1) Adjust Search and Rescue Area of Responsibility (AOR)
boundaries for the units adjacent to the SMS.
        (2) Make written recommendations to the Office of Boat Forces
(CG-731) through Area to modify a Scheduled Mission Station.
        (3) Respective District external affairs shall coordinate
congressional and public messaging per COMDT (CG-092) guidance.
    g. Sector Commander's Responsibilities: Sector Commanders shall:
        (1) Determine an appropriate mission employment for each SMS
subject to the policies contained herein and without exceeding
Commandant Standards.
        (2) Sector Command Center should maintain the radio guard for
SMS boats while underway.
        (3) Sector Engineering shall coordinate with Scheduled Mission
Station COs/OICs and EPOs to assist with facility maintenance IAW
applicable policies, requirements, or guidelines.
        (4) Sector Logistics shall coordinate with SMS COs/OICs and
XPOs to assist with compliance of administrative and budget
requirements.
    h. SMS CO/OIC Responsibilities: SMS COs/OICs shall:
        (1) Respond to SAR missions, as requested, utilizing assigned
boat(s) and crews when capable during the 40-hr work schedule.
        (2) Establish after-hours Station crew communications plan as
appropriate.
        (3) Establish guidance IAW REFs (C) and (D) for weapons
storage and physical security. Contact the District Security
Managers for additional support.
        (4) Coordinate administrative and budget requirements with the
Sector administrative offices.
        (5) Maintain the following Department Heads IAW REF (A):
             (a) Engineering Petty Officer
             (b) Operations Petty Officer
             (c) Deck Department Head / First Lieutenant
        (6) Maintain the following collateral duties IAW REF (A):
             (a) Training Petty Officer
             (b) Rescue and Survival Petty Officer
             (c) Weapons Petty Officer
             (d) Designated Trainers (PWCS SMS units only)
             (e) Opposing Force (PWCS SMS units only)
             (f) Communications Petty Officer responsibilities shall be
performed by the Operations Petty Officer
             (g) Navigation Officer / Petty Officer responsibilities
shall be performed by the Deck Department Head / First Lieutenant.
             (h) All other collateral duties outlined in REF (A), and
other applicable COMDT instructions may be coordinated with Sector
personnel at the request of the SMS CO/OIC.
        (7) If a SMS maintains an Officer of the Day IAW REF (A), at
CO/OIC discretion, it is recommended that the OOD be allowed to
depart the SMS at the end of the workday and maintain a "cellphone
duty" as long as requirements in REFs (C) & (D) are met.
        (8) All other regulations and policies remain in effect
regarding COs/OICs command authority.
5. Forward Operating Locations (FOL): All Station smalls will
transition to FOLs. A FOL is an unstaffed CG owned/operated
facility, that supports temporary operations away from the primary
CG operating facility (Parent Station).
    a. Parent Station COs/OICs responsibilities:
        (1) Maintain assigned FOL facilities IAW applicable policies,
requirements, guidelines. If the maintenance falls beyond the scope
or capability of the Parent STA, COs/OICS should coordinate with the
Sector Engineering for assistance.
        (2) Establish guidance consistent with REFs (C) and (D)
for weapons storage and physical security when operating from a FOL.
        (3) Determine an appropriate mission employment for each FOL.
6. This ALCOAST will be incorporated into the next revision of REF
(A), which will be released within the next year.
7. This message will be cancelled on 27 FEB 2025.
8. POC: COMDT (CG-731) LCDR Robert Garris, Robert.M.Garris@uscg.mil
(202) 372-2469. For general policy questions contact COMDT (CG-7311)
at: HQS-DG-Ist-CG-7311.
9. RADM T. C. Wiemers, Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7),
sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.