Petty Officer 1st Class Chase Rudolph, a boatswain’s mate assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kukui, poses next to an M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun while wearing a flash suit after a gunnery exercise in Southeast Alaskan waters, March 13, 2026. The exercise reinforces the crew’s ability to engage and respond to potential surface or airborne threats during real-world operations. (Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)