USCGC IRONWOOD, SANIBEL

• USCGC Ironwood (WLB-297): The USCGC Ironwood was a 180-foot buoy tender commissioned in 1943. She served with distinction through World War II, the Cold War, and into the 1990s, making her one of the longest-serving ships of her class. • World War II Service: Ironwood was built for wartime duty, tasked with laying and servicing navigation aids in the perilous waters of the Pacific, including the Aleutian Islands, where Japanese attacks were a real threat. • Arctic and Alaska Operations: Ironwood spent much of her career in Alaska, braving harsh Arctic conditions to maintain vital navigation aids, which were crucial for both military and commercial vessels. • Longevity: Ironwood was in continuous service for over 53 years, from 1943 until her decommissioning in 1999, making her one of the longest-serving ships in Coast Guard history. • Humanitarian Missions: Beyond navigation and defense, Ironwood participated in numerous search and rescue missions, environmental protection operations, and disaster relief efforts throughout her career. • Post-Service Life: After decommissioning, Ironwood was transferred to the Maritime Administration and later became a museum ship in Hawaii, where she continues to educate the public about Coast Guard history. • USCGC Sanibel (WPB-1312): USCGC Sanibel is an Island-class patrol boat commissioned in 1987, primarily tasked with law enforcement, search and rescue, and homeland security missions. • Drug Interdiction: Sanibel played a key role in numerous counter-narcotics operations, intercepting smugglers and contributing to the interdiction of tons of illegal drugs in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. • Hurricane Response: Sanibel has responded to multiple hurricanes, providing emergency aid, conducting search and rescue missions, and assisting in disaster recovery operations in affected coastal communities. • Namesake: The Sanibel is named after Sanibel Island in Florida, a tradition in the Island-class for ships to bear the names of U.S. islands, reflecting their vital coastal protection mission.