Which of the following is a national defense mission of the Coast Guard?

• A. Maritime interception operations
• B. Air defense operations
• C. Space surveillance
• D. Cyber defense operations

Answer: (A)

The Coast Guard’s national defense role includes maritime interception operations, which are actions taken at sea to enforce sanctions, embargoes, and blockades and to prevent adversaries from moving resources or conducting hostile activities. In wartime, the Coast Guard can be placed under Navy command and carry out these enforcement actions as a direct defense of national security, using boarding, inspection, and interception as needed.

Air defense operations belong to other services, primarily the Air Force, which is responsible for defending airspace. Space surveillance is handled by space-focused commands in the Space Force. Cyber defense operations fall under dedicated cyber commands and military networks, with the Coast Guard focusing more on protecting its own networks and maritime infrastructure. Because maritime interception operations directly support national defense at sea, they are the best fit for the Coast Guard’s national defense mission.