Taking the Lead

摘要

As the Navy continues reallocating resources to the Asia-Pacific region, the Coast Guard plans to have a more noticeable presence in the Western Hemisphere. Since the 1980s, the Navy and Coast Guard have been working hand in hand in a region known for drug and migrant smuggling. The Navy plays a major role in the detection and monitoring of illicit trafficking while the Coast Guard's main role is law enforcement. But budget cuts and the so-called Asia-Pacific pivot will reduce the Navy's presence in the Western Hemisphere, placing a heavier burden on the Coast Guard to cover the vast area of operation. Leaders from both services were adamant, though, that the Navy will remain committed to the region.