USCGC Yocona (WMEC-168)

• Commissioning and Class: USCGC Yocona (WMEC-168) was a cutter of the Owasco-class, originally commissioned in 1946, and served as a medium endurance cutter in the United States Coast Guard. • Named After a River: The cutter was named after the Yocona River in Mississippi, following the Coast Guard tradition of naming Owasco-class cutters after American rivers. • World War II Origins: Yocona was actually built during World War II and was originally intended to serve as a patrol frigate for the U.S. Navy but was completed as a Coast Guard cutter post-war. • Lengthy Service: Yocona served for over 50 years, from 1946 until her decommissioning in 1996, making her one of the longest-serving cutters in the Coast Guard fleet. • Homeports: Over the years, Yocona was homeported at various locations, including Astoria, Oregon, and Kodiak, Alaska, reflecting her role in Pacific Northwest and Alaskan waters. • Rescue Missions: Yocona participated in numerous high-profile search and rescue operations, notably rescuing survivors from the SS Dominator wreck in 1961 off the California coast. • Vietnam War Service: Yocona was deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Market Time from 1967 to 1968, conducting patrol and interdiction missions alongside U.S. Navy forces. • Humanitarian Assistance: The cutter played a vital role in delivering humanitarian aid and providing disaster relief in Alaska, including assistance after the 1964 Alaska earthquake. • Fisheries Enforcement: Yocona was instrumental in enforcing U.S. fisheries laws, particularly after the extension of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the 1970s. • Decommissioning and Fate: Yocona was decommissioned on June 8, 1996, and was eventually sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Alaska, supporting marine life and recreational diving.