USCG

USCGC CHASE (WHEC-718) was a high endurance cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1968. Named after Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, she served for over four decades in missions including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and drug interdiction. Throughout her service, CHASE participated in significant operations such as refugee rescues during the Mariel boatlift and counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. In 2011, she was decommissioned and later transferred to the Nigerian Navy, where she continues to serve as NNS Thunder (F90).

Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City was commissioned in 1946, originally operating as a detachment of Air Station St. Petersburg, Florida. Situated in Traverse City, Michigan, the unit was established to provide search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions throughout the Great Lakes region. Over the decades, the air station has upgraded its aircraft, transitioning from early fixed-wing planes to modern helicopters, currently operating MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters. Air Station Traverse City plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the northern Great Lakes, responding to hundreds of emergency calls each year.

Coast Guard Base Seattle, established in 1921, has served as a vital hub for United States Coast Guard operations in the Pacific Northwest. Strategically located on the Puget Sound, the base has supported a wide array of missions, including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. During World War II, the base played a crucial role in coastal defense and port security efforts. Today, CG Base Seattle continues to serve as the homeport for several major Coast Guard cutters and units, maintaining readiness to safeguard the region’s waterways and support national security objectives.

USCGC Burton Island (WAGB-283) was a Wind-class icebreaker commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1946. Originally built for the U.S. Navy during World War II, she was soon transferred to the Coast Guard and became a vital asset in Arctic and Antarctic operations. Burton Island participated in numerous scientific and supply missions, including Operation Highjump and Operation Deep Freeze, supporting polar exploration and research. After decades of service in challenging polar conditions, the cutter was decommissioned in 1978, leaving a legacy as a pioneering icebreaker in U.S. maritime history.

Support Center Governors Island, NY, traces its military roots to the early days of the United States, as Governors Island served as a strategic defense post in New York Harbor since the Revolutionary War. The island hosted various Army units and commands over the centuries, including Fort Jay and Castle Williams, which played key roles in coastal defense. In the late 20th century, the Support Center was established to consolidate and provide logistical and administrative support for military personnel and operations in the New York City area. The facility continued in this role until 1996, when the Army closed its operations on Governors Island as part of a broader realignment and returned the property to civilian control.

USCGC DILIGENCE (WMEC-616) is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1964. As the sixth cutter to bear the name "Diligence," she has served in a variety of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, drug interdiction, and migrant operations primarily in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions. Over her decades of service, DILIGENCE has played a critical role in interdicting illegal narcotics and rescuing those in distress at sea. Homeported in Wilmington, North Carolina, she remains an essential asset to the Coast Guard’s mission of maritime safety and security.

Air Station San Francisco, established in 1941, is a United States Coast Guard unit strategically located at San Francisco International Airport. Originally commissioned to provide search and rescue coverage along the Pacific coast during World War II, the air station has continually evolved in its mission and equipment. Over the decades, its crews have operated various aircraft, including amphibious planes and helicopters, conducting search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and disaster response operations. Today, Air Station San Francisco remains a critical hub for Coast Guard aviation on the West Coast, maintaining readiness to respond to maritime emergencies throughout Northern California and beyond.

**District 2** has a distinguished military history rooted in its early establishment as a key defensive sector. Originally organized to safeguard critical infrastructure and supply lines, the unit quickly gained a reputation for discipline and engineering prowess, often being tasked with the construction and fortification of strategic positions. Throughout numerous conflicts, District 2 forces have played vital roles in both frontline combat and logistical support, demonstrating reliability under pressure. Their legacy is marked by a blend of tactical innovation and steadfast service, making District 2 an indispensable component of broader military operations.

The USCG Yard Curtis Bay, established in 1899 near Baltimore, Maryland, is the United States Coast Guard’s sole shipbuilding and major repair facility. Throughout its history, the Yard has played a critical role in building, overhauling, and maintaining Coast Guard cutters, buoy tenders, and other vessels. During World War II, it dramatically expanded its operations, constructing hundreds of small craft and performing vital repairs for the war effort. Today, the Yard remains an essential logistics and engineering center, supporting Coast Guard missions worldwide with advanced ship maintenance and upgrades.