270' Famous-class Cutters

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270’ FAMOUS-CLASS CUTTERS
(MEDIUM ENDURANCE CUTTERS)

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The 270’ Famous-class cutters entered service in the 1980s and replaced the 327’ Treasury-class cutters that had been commissioned in the 1930s. Their primary mission focuses on law enforcement, in particular, traversing a newly established 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Other missions include search and rescue, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, environmental protection, and marine safety. They are also designed with flight decks to support helo operations.

As part of the Integrated Deepwater System Program, it was expected that all of the 270’ Famous-class and 210’ Reliance-class Medium Endurance Cutters would eventually be replaced by the 360’ Heritage-class cutters, also known as the Offshore Patrol Cutter and Maritime Security Cutter, Medium. However, major contractual & legal challenges, tighter budget constraints, and unforeseen work stoppages have forced lengthy & costly delays in the construction of the new Heritage-class cutters. As of early 2026,
of the original 25 proposed Heritage-class cutters, only 9 were now planned for construction.

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270’ WMEC

USCGC BEAR (WMEC-901)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 4 February 1983

USCGC BEAR (WMEC-901)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 4 February 1983
Presented by Commanding Officer

USCGC BEAR (WMEC-901)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 4 February 1983
Third Class Petty Officers
(2” W x 1-1/2” H)

USCGC TAMPA (WMEC-902)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 16 March 1984

USCGC TAMPA (WMEC-902)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 16 March 1984
Officer Cutterman

USCGC TAMPA (WMEC-902)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 16 March 1984
Officer/Enlisted Cutterman

USCGC TAMPA (WMEC-902)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 16 March 1984

USCGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC-903)
Honolulu, HI: 2023 - Present
Portsmouth, VA: 1984 - 2023
Commissioned: 20 September 1984

USCGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC-903)
Honolulu, HI: 2023 - Present
Portsmouth, VA: 1984 - 2023
Commissioned: 20 September 1984
(2” W x 2” H)

USCGC NORTHLAND (WMEC-904)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 17 December 1984
Presented by the Commanding Officer

USCGC NORTHLAND (WMEC-904)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 17 December 1984

USCGC SPENCER (WMEC-905)
Portsmouth, VA: 2021 - Present
Boston, MA: 1986 - 2021
Commissioned: 28 June 1986

USCGC SENECA (WMEC-906)
Portsmouth, VA: 2020 - Present
Boston, MA: 1987 - 2020
Commissioned: 4 May 1987

USCGC ESCANABA (WMEC-907)
Portsmouth, VA: 2021 - Present
Boston, MA: 1987 - 2021
Commissioned: 27 August 1987
(2-1/8” diameter)

USCGC ESCANABA (WMEC-907)
Portsmouth, VA: 2021 - Present
Boston, MA: 1987 - 2021
Commissioned: 27 August 1987

USCGC TAHOMA (WMEC-908)
Newport, RI: 2022 - Present
Kittery, ME: 1988 - 2022
Commissioned: 6 April 1988
Presented by the Commanding Officer

USCGC TAHOMA (WMEC-908)
Newport, RI: 2022 - Present
Kittery, ME: 1988 - 2022
Commissioned: 6 April 1988
Presented by Commanding Officer

USCGC TAHOMA (WMEC-908)
Newport, RI: 2022 - Present
Kittery, ME: 1988 - 2022
Commissioned: 6 April 1988

USCGC CAMPBELL (WMEC-909)
Newport, RI: 2022 - Present
Kittery, ME: 2003 - 2022
New Bedford, MA: 1988 - 2003
Commissioned: 19 August 1988

USCGC CAMPBELL (WMEC-909)
Newport, RI: 2022 - Present
Kittery, ME: 2003 - 2022
New Bedford, MA: 1988 - 2003
Commissioned: 19 August 1988
(3” H x 2-5/8” W)

USCGC THETIS (WMEC-910)
Key West, FL
Commissioned: 30 June 1989

USCGC FORWARD (WMEC-911)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 4 August 1990
Commanding Officer #16

USCGC FORWARD (WMEC-911)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 4 August 1990

USCGC FORWARD (WMEC-911)
Portsmouth, VA
Commissioned: 4 August 1990
First Class Mess
(2” diameter)

USCGC LEGARE (WMEC-912)
Newport, RI: 2026 - Present
Portsmouth, VA: 1990 - 2024
Commissioned: 4 August 1990
Presented by the Commanding Officer

USCGC LEGARE (WMEC-912)
Newport, RI: 2026 - Present
Portsmouth, VA: 1990 - 2024
Commissioned: 4 August 1990
Presented by the Commanding Officer
(2-1/2” x 1-3/4”)

USCGC LEGARE (WMEC-912)
Newport, RI: 2026 - Present
Portsmouth, VA: 1990 - 2024
Commissioned: 4 August 1990