USCG

Station Mare Island, located in Vallejo, California, has a rich military history dating back to its establishment in 1854 as the first United States Navy base on the West Coast. Throughout its operational years, Mare Island Naval Shipyard played a vital role in building, repairing, and maintaining warships and submarines, especially during both World Wars when it became a critical hub for Pacific fleet operations. The shipyard produced over 500 naval vessels during its active years, including destroyers, submarines, and support ships. Mare Island continued its service until its closure in 1996, leaving a legacy as a cornerstone of American naval power in the Pacific.

Station South Portland was a key United States Coast Guard facility located in South Portland, Maine. Established during World War II, it played a crucial role in coastal defense and port security, safeguarding vital shipping lanes and supporting anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic. The station coordinated with both Navy and local defense units to protect convoys departing from the busy Portland harbor. As defense needs shifted after the war, the station's role evolved, eventually serving as a base for search and rescue operations before its decommissioning.

TACLET North (Tactical Law Enforcement Team North) is a specialized U.S. Coast Guard unit established to conduct maritime law enforcement and interdiction operations. Activated in the late 1980s, the unit is headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, and provides deployable boarding teams to counter drug trafficking, piracy, and other threats at sea. Over the years, TACLET North has played a critical role in joint operations with U.S. Navy and allied forces, particularly in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The unit’s expertise in boarding and securing vessels has significantly contributed to national and international maritime security efforts.

USS Shangri-La (CV-38) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in September 1944. Named after the mythical place referenced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when explaining the origin of the Doolittle Raid, Shangri-La participated in the final campaigns of World War II in the Pacific, including air strikes against the Japanese home islands. After the war, it was decommissioned but later modernized and recommissioned for service during the Cold War, including deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The ship was finally decommissioned in 1971 and sold for scrap in 1988.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 4-1, based in Salem, Massachusetts, has a proud history of supporting Coast Guard operations in the North Shore region. Established in the mid-20th century, Flotilla 4-1 has provided vital assistance in search and rescue missions, boating safety education, and maritime patrols along the Massachusetts coastline. Members of the unit have played key roles during local emergencies and community outreach, enhancing public awareness of marine safety. Today, USCG Auxiliary 4-1 continues its tradition of service, working closely with active-duty Coast Guard personnel and fostering a strong spirit of volunteerism in Salem and surrounding communities.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Grand Haven, MI, was established as part of the nationwide volunteer force supporting the United States Coast Guard since the Auxiliary’s founding in 1939. Located in the “Coast Guard City, USA,” the Grand Haven flotilla has a proud tradition of serving Lake Michigan and its surrounding waterways. Over the decades, its volunteers have assisted with search and rescue operations, public boating safety education, environmental protection, and vessel safety checks. The unit plays a visible role during the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, strengthening ties with both active-duty personnel and the local community.

**U.S. V Station Montauk** was a military installation located at the eastern tip of Long Island, New York. Established during World War II, the station played a critical role in coastal defense, housing heavy artillery batteries and serving as a radar outpost to detect enemy ships and aircraft. Throughout the Cold War, Montauk was upgraded as part of the Air Force's early warning system, featuring radar domes and missile tracking equipment. The site was eventually decommissioned and is now part of Montauk Point State Park, but its bunkers and radar towers remain as reminders of its strategic military significance.

USCGC Cape Knox (WPB-95312) was a 95-foot Cape-class patrol boat commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1954. Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, Cape Knox was primarily tasked with search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime patrol operations along the U.S. coastline. Throughout its service, the cutter played a vital role in safeguarding American waters and responding to emergencies, especially during the heightened maritime activities of the Cold War era. After decades of distinguished service, Cape Knox was eventually decommissioned as newer, more advanced vessels entered the Coast Guard fleet.

USCGC Point Hannon (WPB-82355) was an 82-foot Point class cutter built for the United States Coast Guard in the early 1960s. Commissioned in 1967, she was primarily assigned to law enforcement, search and rescue, and patrol duties along the U.S. coastline. Point Hannon served with distinction during her career, participating in numerous rescue operations and maritime enforcement missions. The cutter was eventually decommissioned as newer vessels replaced the Point class, but she remains a testament to the reliability and versatility of the Coast Guard’s patrol fleet.