44 Proceedings Summer 2025 Guarding the Future Coast Guard Sector Boston leverages tech partnerships by cdR shannon J. PeifeR Intelligence Chief Sector Boston U.S. Coast Guard E ven if you are not a history enthusiast, it is impos- sible to overlook Boston’s deep historical roots and its crucial role in shaping the United States. The earliest settlers arrived in 1630 and in just a few years, America’s oldest institution of higher education, Harvard University, was founded in nearby Cambridge in 1636. Boston is considered the birthplace of the American Revolution with key events such as the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Battle of Bunker Hill, all taking place in the 1770s. A lesser-known fact is that the USS Constitution, affectionately known as “Old Ironsides,” was constructed at Hartt’s Shipyard, where Coast Guard Base Boston is located today. The city’s past continues to shape its present and future. It’s exciting to be part of its story. Today, Boston is a renowned academic research hub for private companies and federal entities, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and medi- cine. This reputation is largely due to the presence of world-class universities and research institutions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and Boston University. These insti- tutions attract top talent from around the world and collaborate extensively with federal agencies on a wide range of research projects. Additional key factors that contribute to Boston’s status as a federal research hub include the collaborative research culture among differ- ent institutions, its strong economic base, and its focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. These factors make Boston an ideal location for federal research. Sector Boston Partnerships Benefitting from its proximity to this research hub, Sector Boston collaborates with numerous institutions on various projects aimed at incorporating emerging tech- nologies into daily work practices to enhance the way we accomplish our missions. The topics of these projects are not specific to the Northeast region, but they have the potential to bring positive impacts to the Coast Guard overall. The Coast Guard does not have all the latest capabilities, subject matter expertise, or vast resources to procure these emerging technologies. To put the Coast Guard’s budget in perspective, it equates to only 6% of the U.S. Navy’s budget. The budget may be small, but the missions and responsibilities are great. Thankfully, Sector Boston has established partnerships with local private and academic institutions which can be used to incorporate innovative solutions and resources to address the Coast Guard’s complex challenges, often at little or no cost. Sector Boston’s close, regular collaboration with these entities and the shared understanding of chal- lenges allows both sides to pick up the phone and call one another when a problem or potential solution is iden- tified. These partnerships fall directly in line with the 2024 Coast Guard Operational Posture Statement, which emphasizes the need for action, innovation, and strategic foresight to overcome the Coast Guard’s resourcing chal- lenges and increasing complexity of its missions. These partnerships encourage proactive approaches rather than reactive ones, allowing the service to focus not only on today’s challenges but to anticipate future threats and the emerging technologies required to address them. Mutually Beneficial Collaboration Amna Greaves, assistant group leader of Group 45 within the Homeland Protection and Air Traffic Control Division at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, believes these part- nerships are essential to understanding real-world needs and challenges and bridges the gap between research and application. “Over the years of partnering on advanced technolo- gies for maritime and emergency response, we know that [Coast Guard Sector Boston] can provide invalu- able insights into mission requirements, environmental conditions, and operational constraints that may not be fully captured or understood in lab environments,” she wrote in an email. “Direct and honest feedback helps shape practical, user-centered solutions, ensuring that innovations are not only technically sound, but also effective and reliable in the field. This collaboration bridges the gap between research and application, accelerating the development
