Construction began in 2008 by Northrop Grumman's Ship System Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The keel was laid on July 20, 2009. The cutter's sponsor is Michelle Obama, who is the first First Lady to sponsor a Coast Guard cutter.[7]
In August 2011, Stratton completed sea trials.[9] On September 2, 2011 Stratton was acquired by the Coast Guard.[10] On December 19, 2011 Stratton arrived in San Francisco, pier 27, for its inaugural homecoming visit to the Bay Area.[11]
On March 31, 2012, Stratton was officially commissioned by the Coast Guard in Alameda, California, with First Lady Michelle Obama in attendance.[12]
In April 2012, the crew of Stratton discovered four holes in the hull and the ship was sent to drydock to have these repaired.[13]
On July 18, 2015, Stratton intercepted a semi-submersible loaded with approximately 16,000 pounds of cocaine. Stratton was able to offload more than 12,000 pounds worth an estimated $181 million before the craft sank.[14][15] It is estimated to be the largest such seizure of its kind.[16]
In July 2015, Insitu UAS demonstrated how ScanEagle can maximize the effectiveness of USCG vessels, the exercise also showcased the platform's ability to conduct seamless, concurrent aviation operations with crewed aircraft.[17]
During Exercise Talisman Saber the cutter Stratton was a part of an amphibious readiness group that conducted an exercise to move Marines and associated equipment ashore in a simulated hostile environment, the cutter would act as a forward screen vessel and also provided fire support for the Marines during the landing.[21] During the patrol, the cutters crew would conduct surface warfare training, including drills to defend against a missile attack on the cutter.[22] The Stratton returned to Alameda California on November 22, 2019, during the 162-day patrol the cutter visited ports in Fiji, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.[23]
^"National Security Cutters". Defensemedianetwork. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2017. With much more room on the national security cutter it becomes a considerably more capable platform, because if needed, more sensors and weapons can be added.