5 Spring 2025 Proceedings the results—whether they pertain to products, policies, or process improvements—are effectively transitioned and implemented. Bringing transformative technologies and capabilities into operations are a whole-of-service responsibility. In 2024, a decision was made to move the RDC under the Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG- 7), fostering prioritized alignment of research projects against the most critical and imminent capability gaps. In parallel, the Research, Development and Innovation Governance Council has already started meeting with key sponsors and stakeholders to ensure alignment for the transition of the most promising technologies, focus- ing on those that offer significant capability, efficacy, and efficiency. In my role as CG-7D, my responsibility is to ensure we identify capability gaps across the Coast Guard enterprise, seek opportunities to expand or improve capabilities, competencies, and capacity, and then deploy modernized or new technologies, keeping our workforce ready and relevant. These efforts are codified by developing stan- dards for staffing, training, equipping, sustaining, and employing Coast Guard forces to meet mission require- ments. The RDC will continue to be a strategic resource for the enterprise just as it has been since its establishment in September 1972. CG-7 looks forward to the opportunity to highlight its ongoing successes and pursue, promote, and deliver new and emerging capabilities that address the com- plex and ever-changing environment that our men and women of the Coast Guard operate in every single day. Please enjoy this edition of Proceedings that show- cases some of the work being done by the talented Coast Guard research community, reminds us why research is important to the service, and highlights the power of partnerships across the nation’s research enterprise. and sectors, as well as their associated commands, are involved in. From illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, human and narcotics smuggling, and search and rescue to polar operations, environmental response, and all facets of the Marine Transportation System, the need for the RDC’s research discipline has never been greater. I am amazed that this small command does so much that impacts those of us in the field. Our adversaries are constantly changing tactics and the need for durable maritime domain awareness and the application of autonomous capabilities have never been more important, especially when it allows deci- sion-makers to carefully select assets. The RDC’s work in ArcGIS, their autonomy sprints, their work with com- munications advances, such as Starlink, and search and rescue tools like i911 make a difference. The RDC must continue to work with the operators and Coast Guard Headquarters programs to apply sci- ence and research to address these issues. I have been impressed with the number of partners, inside the gov- ernment and out, including academia and industry. The Evergreen events the RDC has sponsored with the Coast Guard’s Office of Emerging Policy have benefitted my command, and the knowledge products generated are useful in developing operational orders and future strat- egies. Having RDC talent participate in our chartered work groups adds to the perspective and the courses of action considered. The operational commanders need to engage in a continuous manner with the RDC to ensure two-way communication, which is why I assigned liaisons to work directly with their staffs. If the RDC wants to conduct experimentation in my area of responsibility, my staff will support them, and we will work to ensure the dis- trict, sector, cutter, or aircraft are true partners. I know my counterpart on the West Coast, VADM Andrew Tiongson, feels equally strongly about the RDC’s value. We live in a constantly changing world. Having the RDC and Coast Guard research partners look to the future, conduct priority research, and test technology that supports my command and the service is a strategic imperative. As you read this edition, I hope you gain insight into the various areas the RDC is involved in and the impact it makes.
