USCG

Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Indiana, traces its origins to the late 19th century with the establishment of a U.S. Life-Saving Service station in 1889 to protect mariners on southern Lake Michigan. With the merger of the Life-Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915, the station became part of the United States Coast Guard. Over the decades, the station has played a vital role in search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and environmental protection in the region. Today, Coast Guard Station Michigan City continues its proud tradition of safeguarding lives and property along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline.

**CGC KAW** is a United States Coast Guard Cutter that has served with distinction in maritime security and law enforcement roles. Commissioned in the mid-20th century, CGC KAW was primarily tasked with coastal patrol, search and rescue operations, and counter-narcotics missions along the U.S. coastline and surrounding waters. Over the decades, the vessel and its crew participated in multiple high-profile interdictions and lifesaving missions, earning commendations for their professionalism and effectiveness. As technology and mission requirements evolved, CGC KAW underwent several upgrades to maintain operational readiness and continues to be a vital asset in the Coast Guard fleet.

**CGC Rambler (WLIC-298)** is a United States Coast Guard inland construction tender, commissioned in 1944. Built during World War II, she has served primarily in the construction, maintenance, and repair of aids to navigation (ATON) along the inland waterways and coastal areas. Over her decades of service, Rambler has supported search and rescue operations, responded to natural disasters, and participated in environmental protection missions. As one of the Coast Guard’s venerable inland construction cutters, the Rambler continues to play a vital role in ensuring safe navigation and operational readiness across her assigned waterways.

The Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) was established in 1979 to centralize and streamline pay, personnel, and administrative support for United States Coast Guard members. Headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, the PPC plays a critical role in managing payroll, benefits, and human resources services for active duty, reserve, and retired Coast Guard personnel, as well as members of the Public Health Service. Over the decades, PPC has integrated technological advancements to automate and improve service delivery, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. The center continues to serve as a vital administrative backbone, supporting Coast Guard operations worldwide by maintaining the well-being and readiness of its workforce.

Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor, located on the south shore of Chicago, Illinois, was established in 1933 to support maritime safety and law enforcement on southern Lake Michigan. Initially built as part of the U.S. Lighthouse Service, it became a vital Coast Guard facility after the 1939 merger of the two organizations. Throughout its history, the station has played a critical role in search and rescue operations, pollution response, and boating safety enforcement in the busy Calumet Harbor area. Today, Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor continues to serve as a key hub for maritime security and emergency response in the Great Lakes region.

Coast Guard Station Detroit, established in 1874, is one of the oldest United States Coast Guard stations on the Great Lakes. Strategically located on the Detroit River, the unit plays a vital role in maritime safety, search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection in one of the nation’s busiest waterways. Over the decades, Station Detroit has responded to countless emergencies, aided commercial and recreational vessels, and supported homeland security operations. The station continues to serve as a critical hub for Coast Guard activities in the Detroit metropolitan area and the broader Great Lakes region.

Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet, located in Riviera Beach, Florida, has played a vital role in maritime safety and security since its establishment in 1936. Originally constructed as part of the federal response to increased maritime activity and smuggling concerns during Prohibition, the station has evolved to address modern challenges, including search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and environmental protection. Throughout World War II, the station contributed to coastal defense efforts and aided in the interception of enemy submarines and vessels. Today, Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet remains an essential component of the Seventh Coast Guard District, ensuring the safety of boaters and the security of the southeastern Florida coastline.

The **COTP NOLA Dangerous Cargo/WF Facilities** unit operates under the purview of the Captain of the Port (COTP) New Orleans, a key command within the United States Coast Guard. This unit is responsible for overseeing and regulating the safe handling, storage, and transportation of dangerous cargoes—such as hazardous chemicals and explosives—within the Port of New Orleans, one of the busiest ports in the nation. Over the years, the unit has played a critical role in enforcing federal safety regulations, conducting inspections, and coordinating emergency response efforts to prevent incidents involving dangerous cargo and waterfront facilities. Their vigilance and expertise have been instrumental in ensuring the security and operational continuity of vital maritime commerce along the lower Mississippi River.

USRC (United States Revenue Cutter) Mistletoe was a revenue cutter acquired by the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. Originally built in 1861, Mistletoe was assigned to patrol and blockade duties along the southern coastline. She primarily served in the Gulf of Mexico, supporting Union operations and enforcing blockades against Confederate ports. After the war, Mistletoe was returned to the Treasury Department and continued service until her decommissioning.