Congressman Mike Ezell, representing Mississippi’s Fourth Congressional District, recently hosted U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday for a series of briefings and site visits in the region. The focus was on domestic shipbuilding, Coast Guard operations, and maritime security.
Admiral Lunday joined Ezell, who also chairs the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, on tours of Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS, Austal USA in Mobile, AL, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Pascagoula, and Port Security Unit 308 in Kiln, MS. During these visits, they met with service members and local leaders.
Ezell expressed his gratitude for hosting Admiral Lunday: “I was honored to host Admiral Lunday in South Mississippi and highlight the critical role our region plays in supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission,” he said. “From the skilled workforce at our shipyards to the dedicated service members at USCG Station Pascagoula and PSU 308, Mississippi’s Fourth District and the Gulf Coast have a proud tradition of contributing to our nation’s maritime strength and homeland security.”
Admiral Lunday praised the efforts observed during his visit: “The impressive work I saw firsthand by American shipbuilders at Bollinger Mississippi and Austal shipyards demonstrates the vital effort to modernize the Coast Guard fleet and rebuild America’s maritime dominance,” he stated. “We’re grateful for Chairman Ezell’s leadership and Congress’s support to deliver the strong, capable, and ready Coast Guard the Nation needs.”
Admiral Kevin Lunday has been serving as Acting Commandant since January 21, 2025. The Commandant is appointed by the President as a four-star admiral after Senate confirmation.
In related news, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced Force Design 2028 (FD2028) on May 21, 2025. This initiative aims to transform the Coast Guard into a more capable fighting force through several major points including establishing a Service Secretary role aligned with Ezell’s bill H.R. 2546—the Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025—reorganizing services for efficiency; investing in personnel; enhancing technology; and improving acquisition processes.
The FD2028 initiative presents an opportunity to reshape the future of the Coast Guard with plans set for execution within specified timelines.
