USCGC RELIANCE

• First of Her Class: USCGC RELIANCE (WMEC-615) is the lead ship of the Reliance-class medium endurance cutters, representing a significant advancement in Coast Guard vessel design when launched in the 1960s. • Commissioned in 1964: RELIANCE was commissioned on June 20, 1964, and has served the U.S. Coast Guard for over half a century. • Multi-Mission Workhorse: The cutter has been involved in a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, drug interdiction, and environmental protection. • Major Drug Seizures: RELIANCE has participated in numerous high-profile drug interdiction operations, seizing thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics during her decades of service. • Women at Sea: RELIANCE was one of the first Coast Guard cutters to have female crew members assigned, marking a milestone in the integration of women into seagoing service. • International Operations: The cutter has operated in international waters, working with allied navies and coast guards during joint operations and training exercises. • Homeports: Over her career, RELIANCE has been homeported at several locations, including Yorktown, VA; Portsmouth, NH; New Castle, NH; and most recently, Pensacola, FL. • Rescue Missions: RELIANCE has saved hundreds of lives at sea, responding to distress calls from fishing vessels, pleasure craft, and commercial ships in peril. • Modernizations: The cutter has undergone several major overhauls and upgrades to her systems, electronics, and habitability spaces to extend her operational life. • Historic Namesake: The name "RELIANCE" has been used by multiple U.S. vessels, including a famous Civil War-era revenue cutter, honoring a tradition of service and reliability.