In the five years since terrorists struck the United States, the Coast Guard has grown from a force of 35,000 to 39,806. It has added units and expanded mission hours by 55 percent. Its budget has increased 70 percent, from $4.6 billion in fiscal 2001 to $7.8 billion in fiscal 2007. It has broadened its global reach, deploying vessels to new regions, including China and the Middle East, and embarked on an ambitious recapitalization plan, known as the Integrated Deepwater Program.
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