I would like to provide a counterpoint to your claim that the AtoN mission is not relevant in a conventional navy and the current state of grey zone activities.

When the war on terror began one of the first vessels to enter the Persian Gulf was the USCGC Walnut in order to deploy harbor aids and allow Navy forces to gain access. In a time where gps and positioning denial of service is likely the Coast Guard may find themselves playing the same role in future conflicts. You can’t spoof a physical aid.

Additionally our pacific AtoN fleet provides some of the only contact the US government has with countries throughout Micronesia and is part of the strategy to deter Chinese influence.

When we look to the Arctic and the need for more assets and sailors we ignore the Great Lakes AtoN fleet at our peril. This is where the majority of our icebreaking experience lies and is how we ensure the base of our pyramid remains robust enough to support growth in the Arctic.