Six Island class cutters (USCGC Adak, Aquidneck, Baranof, Maui, Monomoy, and Wrangell) were stationed in Manama, Bahrain, as a part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia to provide the Navy's Fifth Fleet with combat ready assets[7] but all have been replaced by Fast Response Cutters.

The eight cutters[9] modified were; In 2005, then-Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas H. Collins made the decision to stop the contractor's conversion at eight hulls when sea trials revealed intractable structural flaws.

The flaws included blind spots in watch cameras, FLIR equipment not suitable for operating under extreme temperatures, and the use of non-shielded cables in secure communications systems, a violation of TEMPEST standards.

These as well as other issues – such as C4ISR problems – drove the program $60 million over budget, triple the original bid for the eight boats converted.

[15] In May 2023, the United States government pledged to provide the Philippines at least two Island-class patrol vessels which was agreed by both sides, as it was offered alongside two Marine Protector-class patrol boats and three Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft during President Bongbong Marcos' visit to Washington D.C.[16][17] The recipient of the transferred vessels will be the Philippine Navy.