The Coast Guard commissioned its newest cutter, John Witherspoon (WPC 1158) for official entry into its service fleet during a ceremony held in Kodiak, Alaska, on April 3.
Built by Bollinger Shipyards, the 154'x25' Witherspoon is the 58th of 65 fast response cutters (FRC) ordered by the Coast Guard to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110' patrol boats.
Designed for missions such as search and rescue; fishery patrols; drug and migrant interdiction; national defense; and ports, waterways, and coastal security, Sentinel-class FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping.
Witherspoon is the first of three FRCs scheduled to be homeported at Coast Guard Base Kodiak. The ship primarily serve in and around the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and North Pacific Ocean, according to the Coast Guard.
The ship's namesake, Capt. John G. Witherspoon, enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1963 and was commissioned as an ensign in 1971. He rose to captain and commanded cutters Mallow (WLB 396), Valiant (WMEC 621), and Dependable (WMEC 626). Witherspoon became the first African American to command a medium endurance cutter and the first to lead both afloat and ashore units. He received the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal and two Commendation Medals.
To honor his mentorship, the Coast Guard created the Captain John G. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership Award, given annually to one active duty and one reserve officer who exemplify Witherspoon's qualities of honor, respect, and devotion to duty.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District. Members of the Witherspoon family were also in attendance, including the cutter’s sponsor, Regina Nash, the daughter of John Witherspoon.
