USCG

Aton Yerba Buena, located in San Francisco, CA, is historically associated with the U.S. Coast Guard's Aids to Navigation (ATON) operations in the San Francisco Bay area. This unit has played a crucial role since the mid-19th century, maintaining and servicing lighthouses, buoys, and other navigational aids to ensure safe passage for military and commercial vessels. During World War II, the unit was instrumental in supporting the increased maritime traffic and coastal defense measures. Today, Aton Yerba Buena continues its mission, employing advanced technology and dedicated personnel to safeguard one of America's busiest and most strategic waterways.

Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, was established in 1945 to support maritime patrol and search and rescue operations throughout the Pacific. The unit has played a critical role in safeguarding the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters, conducting missions such as law enforcement, environmental protection, and disaster response. Over the years, the air station has operated various aircraft, including the HC-130 Hercules and the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, enhancing its reach and response capabilities. Today, Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point remains a vital asset in Pacific Region operations, exemplifying dedication to maritime safety and security.

Key West, Florida, has been a strategic military location since the early 19th century, with the establishment of Fort Zachary Taylor in 1845 to defend the nation’s southern coastline. During the Civil War, Key West remained under Union control, serving as an important base for blockading Confederate shipping. In the 20th century, Key West became a vital naval station, particularly during World War II and the Cold War, hosting anti-submarine operations and supporting the Cuban Missile Crisis response. Today, Naval Air Station Key West continues to provide training and operational support for the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and allied forces.

Loran Station Kure Island was a United States Coast Guard-operated Long Range Navigation (LORAN) station located on Kure Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1960, the station played a vital role in providing navigational signals to military and civilian vessels and aircraft across the Central Pacific, particularly during the Cold War era. The isolated outpost was staffed by rotating crews who maintained the transmitter and ensured continuous signal reliability. Loran Station Kure Island was decommissioned in 1992 as advancements in satellite navigation technology, like GPS, rendered LORAN systems largely obsolete.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, located on the south shore of Long Island, New York, traces its origins back to the establishment of a life-saving station in the 19th century to aid shipwrecked mariners along the treacherous Atlantic coast. The station became part of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915, when the Life-Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service. Over the decades, Station Shinnecock has played a vital role in maritime safety, search and rescue operations, and law enforcement in the busy waters off Long Island. Today, the station continues its mission, utilizing modern vessels and technology to safeguard the region’s waterways and support the local community.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, was officially commissioned in 1945 to support search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime patrol missions across the vast Pacific region. Initially established at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, the unit relocated to Barbers Point in 1965, enhancing its strategic reach. Over the decades, Air Station Barbers Point has operated a variety of aircraft, including the HC-130 Hercules and the MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, to conduct missions spanning from routine patrols to high-profile disaster responses. The unit continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters, collaborating with regional and international partners to ensure maritime safety and security.

The USCG Training Facility at Avery Point in Groton, Connecticut, was established during World War II as a key site for the training of Coast Guard personnel. Originally built on the grounds of the former estate of Morton Plant, the facility played a significant role in preparing recruits and officers for wartime service, particularly in maritime operations and coastal defense. Following the war, the site continued to serve as an important hub for Coast Guard education and specialized training. In 1967, the facility was closed as a training site, and the property was transferred to the State of Connecticut, eventually becoming part of the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus.

USCGC Acushnet (WMEC-167) was commissioned in 1946 as USS Shackle (ARS-9), a salvage ship for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946 and renamed Acushnet, she served for over 60 years as a medium endurance cutter. Throughout her career, Acushnet conducted search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions, primarily in Alaskan and Pacific Northwest waters. Known as "The Queen of the Fleet," Acushnet was the oldest commissioned cutter in the Coast Guard until her decommissioning in 2011.

USCGC Citrus (WLB-300) was a Cactus-class seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1943. During World War II, Citrus was assigned to the Alaskan sector, performing vital aids to navigation, search and rescue, and convoy escort duties in the harsh northern waters. In the postwar decades, Citrus continued service along the West Coast and Alaska, supporting maritime safety and law enforcement missions. After nearly five decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1995 and later transferred to the Dominican Republic, where she served as Almirante Juan Alejandro Acosta (BE-01).