U.S. Coast Guard

USCGC NORTHWIND (WAGB-282) was a Wind-class icebreaker commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1945. Throughout her service, NORTHWIND played a critical role in Arctic and Antarctic operations, including supporting scientific research, resupplying remote stations, and conducting search and rescue missions. Notably, she participated in Operation Highjump (1946-1947) in Antarctica and numerous resupply missions to Thule Air Base, Greenland, during the Cold War. NORTHWIND was decommissioned in 1989 after more than four decades of distinguished service in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

COMMSTA Kodiak, officially known as Coast Guard Communications Station Kodiak, is a United States Coast Guard communications facility located in Kodiak, Alaska. Established during World War II, its original mission was to provide critical long-range radio communications for U.S. military operations in the North Pacific and the Aleutian Islands. Over the decades, COMMSTA Kodiak has evolved into a vital component of the Coast Guard's communication network, supporting search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime safety operations throughout Alaska and the Bering Sea. Today, it remains a cornerstone for reliable military and maritime communications in one of the most challenging and remote regions of the world.

USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721) was a high endurance cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 1968. Named after Albert Gallatin, the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Gallatin served primarily in law enforcement, search and rescue, and maritime defense operations along the Atlantic and Caribbean. The cutter participated in numerous drug interdiction missions and migrant rescues, earning multiple commendations for her service. After more than 45 years of active duty, Gallatin was decommissioned in 2014 and later transferred to the Nigerian Navy, continuing her legacy as NNS Okpabana.

USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725) was a high endurance cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 1972. Named after Captain David H. Jarvis, a hero of the Overland Relief Expedition in Alaska, the vessel was homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, for much of its service. Jarvis conducted a wide variety of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries patrol, and military operations, notably participating in Operation Market Time during the Vietnam War. After over four decades of service, Jarvis was decommissioned in 2012 and later transferred to the Bangladesh Navy, where she serves as BNS Somudra Joy.

USCGC MELLON

23 members

USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) was a high endurance cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 1968. Named after Andrew W. Mellon, the vessel served for over five decades, performing a wide range of missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, and defense operations. Mellon played a notable role during the Vietnam War, participating in Operation Market Time to interdict supplies to North Vietnam. The cutter was homeported in Seattle, Washington, and was decommissioned in 2020, closing a distinguished chapter of service.

Air Station Cape Cod, located in Sandwich, Massachusetts, is a key installation of the United States Coast Guard. Established in 1970, it succeeded earlier Coast Guard aviation facilities in the region and consolidated air operations for New England. The unit plays a critical role in search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and homeland security across the Northeast. Air Station Cape Cod operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, providing rapid response capabilities throughout the challenging weather and waters of the Atlantic coastline.

USCGC DALLAS (WHEC-716) was a high endurance cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 1967. Throughout her service, DALLAS participated in a wide array of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and defense operations, notable for her deployments during the Vietnam War and later in Operation Desert Storm. The cutter played a key role in numerous drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean and Atlantic, earning several unit commendations. After over four decades of distinguished service, USCGC DALLAS was decommissioned in 2012 and subsequently transferred to the Philippine Navy.

USCGC **Westwind** (WAGB-281) was a Wind-class icebreaker commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1944. Initially built for the U.S. Navy during World War II, she was transferred to the Coast Guard and served extensively in Arctic and Antarctic operations. Throughout her career, Westwind participated in resupply missions, scientific expeditions, and search and rescue operations, demonstrating her vital role in polar environments. Decommissioned in 1988, Westwind left a legacy as one of the most capable and long-serving icebreakers in the Coast Guard fleet.

CG RADIO Station NMG, based in New Orleans, is a pivotal United States Coast Guard communications facility with a long-standing history of maritime service. Established to provide critical long-range radio broadcasts, NMG transmits weather forecasts, navigational warnings, and safety information to mariners in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and western Atlantic Ocean. The station’s automated broadcasts on HF (high-frequency) bands have been instrumental in supporting both routine navigation and emergency operations, particularly during hurricane season. Over the decades, NMG has continuously updated its technology and procedures, reinforcing its reputation as a vital link in the Coast Guard's mission to ensure maritime safety and security.

USCG Base Miami Beach, established in 1932, has served as a vital hub for United States Coast Guard operations in South Florida and the Caribbean. Originally founded to support Prohibition-era law enforcement, the base has grown to provide logistical, administrative, and operational support to multiple Coast Guard cutters and units. Throughout World War II, it played a significant role in anti-submarine patrols and search and rescue missions along the southeastern U.S. coastline. Today, USCG Base Miami Beach continues to be a key center for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection efforts in one of the nation’s busiest maritime regions.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego was established in 1937 to provide aerial support for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and environmental protection missions along the Southern California coastline and the Pacific Ocean. During World War II, the unit played a critical role in coastal defense and anti-submarine patrols in conjunction with the U.S. Navy. Over the decades, Air Station San Diego has operated a variety of aircraft, most notably helicopters like the MH-60 Jayhawk, to respond quickly to emergencies at sea. Today, the Air Station remains a vital component of the Coast Guard’s mission, supporting homeland security, migrant interdiction, and disaster response operations throughout the region.

USCGC HAMILTON

20 members

USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753) is a Legend-class National Security Cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in December 2014. Named after Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and founder of the Revenue Cutter Service, Hamilton is one of the most advanced cutters in the Coast Guard fleet. The cutter has participated in numerous high-profile missions, including counter-narcotics operations in the Eastern Pacific and joint exercises with allied navies. USCGC Hamilton has played a key role in enforcing maritime law, protecting U.S. interests, and fostering international cooperation at sea.

USCGC MIDGETT (WMSL-757) is a Legend-class National Security Cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 2019. Named after the distinguished Midgett family, known for their heroic lifesaving service, the cutter is the eighth vessel of its class. Homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, USCGC MIDGETT conducts a wide range of missions, including law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations throughout the Pacific region. The cutter has participated in numerous multi-national exercises and has played a key role in maritime security and drug interdiction efforts.

USCGC Rush refers to several cutters that have served in the United States Coast Guard, most notably the USCGC Rush (WHEC-723), a high endurance cutter commissioned in 1968. Throughout its service, Rush participated in a variety of missions including law enforcement, search and rescue, and maritime security operations, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. The cutter was notably active during the Vietnam War, supporting Operation Market Time to interdict enemy supply lines. After over four decades of distinguished service, USCGC Rush was decommissioned in 2015 and later transferred to the Bangladesh Navy, where it was recommissioned as BNS Somudra Avijan.

**District 3 Military Unit: Brief History** The District 3 Military Unit was established in the early 20th century as a strategic response to regional security demands, initially focusing on border defense and internal stability. During World War II, its personnel played a crucial role in supply logistics and rear-area security, supporting frontline operations. Throughout the Cold War era, District 3 underwent modernization, expanding its capabilities in communications and air defense. In recent decades, the unit has participated in multinational exercises and peacekeeping missions, earning recognition for its adaptability and professionalism in diverse operational environments.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, established in August 1940, is one of the largest and busiest Coast Guard air stations in the United States. Located in northeastern North Carolina, the unit has played a crucial role in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, and disaster response missions along the Atlantic coast and beyond. During World War II, the station supported anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort missions. Over the decades, it has evolved into a major hub for Coast Guard aviation, training aircrews and supporting a fleet of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft for both domestic and international operations.

USCGC CAMPBELL is the name given to several United States Coast Guard cutters, the most renowned being the WMEC-909, a Famous-class medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1988. The CAMPBELL lineage traces back to earlier vessels, including the legendary "Queen of the Fleet" (WPG-32), which served with distinction during World War II, sinking enemy submarines and performing convoy escort duties in the Atlantic. The current CAMPBELL (WMEC-909) has participated in a wide range of missions, including counter-narcotics operations, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean. Over its long history, the CAMPBELL namesake has become synonymous with bravery, versatility, and dedicated service to the nation.

USCGC Duane (WPG-33) was a United States Coast Guard cutter commissioned in 1936 and named after William J. Duane, Secretary of the Treasury under President Andrew Jackson. Throughout World War II, Duane served with distinction, performing convoy escort duties in the treacherous North Atlantic, where she rescued survivors and engaged enemy submarines. After the war, Duane continued to serve in law enforcement, search and rescue, and oceanographic missions, including patrols during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Decommissioned in 1985, USCGC Duane is now preserved as a museum and artificial reef off the coast of Key Largo, Florida.

Sector Honolulu is a United States Coast Guard operational command responsible for maritime safety, security, and stewardship in the central Pacific region, primarily surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Established in 2004 as part of a Coast Guard initiative to streamline command structures, the unit consolidated various previous commands under one headquarters located at Sand Island, Honolulu, Hawaii. Sector Honolulu plays a critical role in search and rescue operations, law enforcement, environmental protection, and port security across one of the world's largest and most strategically significant ocean areas. Over the years, the unit has responded to natural disasters, major maritime incidents, and has played a key role in ensuring the safety and security of both commercial and recreational maritime activities in the region.

The United States Coast Guard Headquarters (USCG HQ) serves as the principal command center for the U.S. Coast Guard, providing centralized leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight. Initially established in Washington, D.C., USCG HQ has evolved alongside the service since its origins in 1915, when the Revenue Cutter Service and Lifesaving Service merged to form the modern Coast Guard. The headquarters is responsible for coordinating national and global missions, including maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. In 2013, USCG HQ relocated to the Douglas A. Munro Headquarters Building at the St. Elizabeths campus, further enhancing its ability to direct Coast Guard operations worldwide.

USCGC BIBB (WHEC-31) was a United States Coast Guard cutter commissioned in 1937 and named after Secretary of the Treasury George M. Bibb. During World War II, BIBB served as a convoy escort in the treacherous North Atlantic, notably rescuing survivors from the torpedoed troop transport SS Henry Mallory in 1943. After the war, the cutter performed ocean station duties, search and rescue, and law enforcement missions. BIBB continued her distinguished service until decommissioning in 1985, after which she was sunk as an artificial reef off Key Largo, Florida.

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 Boutwell (WHEC-719) was a high endurance cutter of the United States Coast Guard, commissioned in 1968. Named after George S. Boutwell, a former Secretary of the Treasury, the cutter served for nearly five decades in roles including search and rescue, drug interdiction, and fisheries enforcement. Boutwell participated in significant operations such as the 1994 rescue of over 500 migrants during Operation Able Manner and numerous counter-narcotics missions in the Pacific. The cutter was decommissioned in 2016 and later transferred to the Philippine Navy, where it serves as BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17).