USCGC Tornado

• Origins as a Navy Vessel: USCGC Tornado (WPC-14) was originally commissioned as USS Tornado (PC-14), a Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship built for the U.S. Navy in the 1990s. • Special Operations Role: The Cyclone-class, including Tornado, was designed to support Navy SEAL operations and other special forces missions, capable of high speeds and shallow water operations. • Post-9/11 Reassignment: After the September 11 attacks, Tornado and other Cyclone-class ships were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard to strengthen homeland security and port protection. • Unique Armament: Tornado was one of the few Coast Guard cutters to be equipped with the Mk 38 25mm chain gun, optimized for fast response against small threats. • Drug Interdiction Missions: While with the Coast Guard, Tornado participated in numerous counter-narcotics operations, intercepting drug smugglers in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. • Fast and Agile: With a top speed of over 35 knots, Tornado was among the fastest vessels in both the Navy and the Coast Guard fleets, making it ideal for pursuit missions. • International Exercises: Tornado took part in joint exercises with allied navies, strengthening interoperability and maritime security partnerships. • Return to Navy Service: After serving with the Coast Guard, Tornado and some sister ships were returned to Navy control, reflecting evolving mission needs. • Decommissioning: USCGC Tornado was decommissioned in February 2021, marking the end of its active U.S. service after more than two decades. • Transfer to Ukraine: In 2022, the U.S. government approved the transfer of several Cyclone-class vessels, including Tornado, to the Ukrainian Navy to bolster its maritime capabilities.