U.S. Coast Guard

USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) is a United States Coast Guard Famous-class medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1983. Homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia, Bear has participated in a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, counter-narcotics, and homeland security operations. The cutter played a key role in several high-profile drug interdictions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, seizing thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics. Additionally, Bear has supported humanitarian missions, such as disaster relief efforts following hurricanes and joint exercises with allied naval forces.

USCGC DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624) is a Reliance-class medium endurance cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1968. Throughout its distinguished service, DAUNTLESS has played a critical role in law enforcement, search and rescue, and counter-narcotics missions, notably participating in Operation Able Manner during the 1990s Haitian migration crisis. The cutter is renowned for its significant drug interdiction achievements, including being the first cutter to seize one million pounds of marijuana. Over the decades, USCGC DAUNTLESS has received numerous commendations, reflecting its ongoing commitment to maritime security and humanitarian operations in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions.

USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB-10) is a United States Coast Guard heavy icebreaker commissioned in 1976. Built by Lockheed Shipbuilding in Seattle, the vessel was designed to break through thick Antarctic and Arctic ice, supporting scientific research and resupply missions. POLAR STAR has been the backbone of Operation Deep Freeze, ensuring annual access to the U.S. McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Over its decades of service, the cutter has faced challenging conditions, undergone multiple overhauls, and remains the Coast Guard’s only active heavy icebreaker as of 2024.

USCGC SUNDEW (WLB-404) was a 180-foot Iris-class seagoing buoy tender constructed for the United States Coast Guard during World War II. Commissioned in 1944, SUNDEW served primarily on the Great Lakes, performing vital aids-to-navigation, icebreaking, and search and rescue missions for over six decades. The cutter also participated in several high-profile rescue operations, including the aftermath of the 1975 sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. After a distinguished career, SUNDEW was decommissioned in 2004 and is now preserved as a museum ship in Duluth, Minnesota.

USCGC Taney (WHEC-37) was a Secretary-class Coast Guard cutter commissioned in 1936 and named after Roger B. Taney, the fifth Chief Justice of the United States. Taney is renowned for being the last surviving warship present during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, where she engaged Japanese aircraft from her Honolulu mooring. Throughout World War II, Taney served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, performing convoy escort, anti-submarine, and search and rescue missions. After the war, she continued to serve in various roles—including weather patrol, law enforcement, and search and rescue—until her decommissioning in 1986.

USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621) is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1967. Built in Lorain, Ohio, Valiant has served in a variety of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and national defense. Over her decades of service, she has played a key role in drug interdiction operations, notably participating in high-profile narcotics seizures in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Valiant has also been involved in humanitarian missions, such as migrant interdiction and disaster relief, reflecting the versatility and commitment of her crew to the Coast Guard’s multifaceted mission.

**Absecon** refers to USS Absecon (AVP-23), a United States Navy Barnegat-class seaplane tender commissioned during World War II. Launched in 1942, Absecon primarily served as a training ship for seaplane pilots and crews at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. She helped train thousands of aviators and supported various fleet exercises throughout the war. After the war, Absecon was decommissioned in 1947 and later transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard, where she continued service as USCGC Absecon (WAVP-374/WHEC-374).

**CG Intelligence & Investigation** is a specialized unit within the Coast Guard responsible for intelligence gathering, analysis, and investigative operations. Originally established to counter smuggling and enforce maritime law, the unit’s mission expanded significantly after the events of September 11, 2001, incorporating counterterrorism and homeland security functions. Over the years, CG Intelligence & Investigation has played a key role in supporting Coast Guard operations by providing actionable intelligence on maritime threats and conducting complex criminal investigations. Today, the unit remains at the forefront of safeguarding national security interests in U.S. waters and beyond.

**Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, LA** is strategically located on Grand Isle, a barrier island in Louisiana. Established in the early 20th century, the station has played a vital role in maritime safety and security along the Gulf of Mexico. Its primary missions include search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection, particularly during hurricane seasons and in response to oil spills. Over the decades, CG Station Grand Isle has become a crucial hub for safeguarding commercial shipping, fisheries, and recreational boating in the region. The unit continues to support both local communities and national interests with dedicated Coast Guard personnel and resources.

LORAN Station Sitkinak was a United States Coast Guard long-range navigation (LORAN) station established during the Cold War era on Sitkinak Island, Alaska. Commissioned in 1961, the station was part of the North Pacific LORAN-C chain, providing critical navigation signals for military and commercial vessels and aircraft operating in the region. Crewed by Coast Guard personnel, Sitkinak played a vital role in supporting maritime and aviation safety throughout the North Pacific, especially during adverse weather and low-visibility conditions. The station operated until its decommissioning in 1977, as advances in satellite navigation technology rendered LORAN-C less essential.

USCG Station Lorain, located in Lorain, Ohio, has been a key component of Coast Guard operations on the southern shore of Lake Erie since its establishment in 1938. The station’s primary missions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection within its area of responsibility, which covers a busy stretch of commercial and recreational waterways. Over the decades, Station Lorain’s crews have responded to countless emergencies, from vessel distress calls to environmental hazards, playing a critical role in safeguarding local mariners and the surrounding community. The station continues to modernize its equipment and training, ensuring readiness to meet the evolving challenges of maritime safety and security on the Great Lakes.

USCGC Cherokee was a United States Coast Guard cutter originally commissioned as USS Cherokee (AT-66), a fleet tug launched in 1939. During World War II, she served with distinction, performing towing and salvage operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After the war, Cherokee was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1946, where she continued her service as a cutter, engaging in search and rescue, law enforcement, and aid to navigation missions along the U.S. East Coast. Cherokee remained in active Coast Guard service until her decommissioning in 1965.

USCGC Hornbeam (WLB-394) was a United States Coast Guard buoy tender launched in 1944 during World War II. Built as part of the Iris-class, she was primarily tasked with maintaining navigational aids, conducting search and rescue missions, and supporting coastal defense operations along the U.S. East Coast. Throughout her service, Hornbeam played a critical role in ensuring safe passage for both military and commercial vessels, especially during hazardous weather conditions. She remained active during the Cold War and into the late 20th century, reflecting the enduring importance of buoy tenders in maritime safety and security operations.

USCGC SEDGE (WLB 402) was a 180-foot Cactus-class seagoing buoy tender built for the United States Coast Guard and commissioned in 1944. Throughout her long service, SEDGE was primarily assigned to Kodiak, Alaska, where she maintained aids to navigation, conducted search and rescue operations, and performed law enforcement and icebreaking duties in the often harsh Alaskan waters. The cutter played a vital role in supporting both military and civilian maritime activities in the North Pacific for over five decades. SEDGE was decommissioned in 2002 and subsequently transferred to the Nigerian Navy.

USCGC Storis (WMEC-38) was a United States Coast Guard cutter commissioned in 1942, originally built as an icebreaker for service during World War II. Throughout her long career, Storis served in the North Atlantic and then the Pacific, playing a vital role in the Greenland Patrol and later supporting operations in Alaska, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and fisheries patrols. In 1957, she became the first American vessel to circumnavigate North America via the Northwest Passage. Decommissioned in 2007, Storis held the distinction of being the oldest commissioned cutter in the Coast Guard fleet at the time of her retirement.

Air Station Sacramento is a United States Coast Guard unit located in Sacramento, California. Established in 1978, it serves as a critical hub for aerial search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions along the West Coast and inland regions. The unit operates HC-27J Spartan aircraft, which provide enhanced capabilities for long-range patrols and rapid response. Over the decades, Air Station Sacramento has played a vital role in numerous high-profile rescues, counter-narcotics operations, and disaster relief efforts throughout California and the Pacific region.

Coast Guard Air Station Houston was commissioned on December 23, 1963, in Houston, Texas, to provide vital search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, and environmental protection missions along the Gulf Coast. Initially equipped with HH-52A Seaguard helicopters, the unit has since upgraded to the MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, enhancing its operational capability. Throughout its history, Air Station Houston has played a crucial role in hurricane response, disaster relief, and maritime safety operations, including high-profile rescues during hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Harvey. The unit continues to serve as a critical asset for the Eighth Coast Guard District, safeguarding lives and supporting homeland security in the region.

ISC Ketchikan (Integrated Support Command Ketchikan) is a United States Coast Guard facility located in Ketchikan, Alaska. Established to provide vital logistical, engineering, and administrative support, ISC Ketchikan serves as a key hub for Coast Guard operations in Southeast Alaska. Over the years, it has supported cutters, small boats, and personnel engaged in search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions in the region’s challenging maritime environment. The unit’s strategic location and multifaceted capabilities have made it an essential contributor to the Coast Guard’s mission in Alaska.

**Military Sealift Office (MSO) Portland, OR** was established to provide logistical and sealift support to military operations along the Pacific Northwest. Originally activated during the Cold War era, the unit coordinated the movement of military cargo and personnel through the Port of Portland, serving as a vital link between West Coast military installations and overseas deployments. Throughout its history, MSO Portland supported major operations and exercises, including deployments to the Pacific Rim and humanitarian missions. The unit has since evolved, integrating advanced technology and logistics practices to enhance operational readiness and efficiency for U.S. military and allied forces.

**SECTOR SAN JUAN** is a military unit that has played a pivotal role in the defense and security of the San Juan region. Established in the early 20th century, it was initially tasked with coastal defense and surveillance due to San Juan's strategic location in the Caribbean. Over time, the unit adapted to evolving threats, participating in both training missions with allied forces and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters. Today, SECTOR SAN JUAN continues to serve as a key element in regional security, focusing on maritime law enforcement, disaster response, and support to civil authorities.

USCG Base Astoria, located in Astoria, Oregon, has served as a key United States Coast Guard installation since its establishment in 1945. Originally built to support World War II operations, the base quickly became a hub for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection missions along the Pacific Northwest coast. Over the decades, USCG Base Astoria has played a vital role in responding to maritime emergencies, supporting aids to navigation, and conducting homeland security operations in the Columbia River and nearby coastal waters. Today, it remains a strategic base, supporting multiple Coast Guard cutters and units dedicated to safeguarding the region's waterways and coastline.

The U.S. Coast Guard's Electronics Engineering Center (EECEN) in Wildwood, New Jersey, traces its roots to World War II, when the site functioned as Naval Air Station Wildwood. Established as a Coast Guard facility in the 1970s, EECEN became the service’s primary center for the research, development, testing, and support of electronic navigation and communication systems. Over the decades, EECEN has played a vital role in advancing the Coast Guard’s technological capabilities, supporting operations from aids to navigation to maritime security. Today, EECEN continues to serve as a critical hub for innovation and technical expertise within the Coast Guard’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, and Intelligence (C5I) community.

USCG Sandy Hook refers to United States Coast Guard units stationed at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, a strategic location at the entrance to New York Harbor. The Coast Guard presence at Sandy Hook dates back to the establishment of the Sandy Hook Life-Saving Station in the mid-19th century, which became part of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and later merged into the Coast Guard in 1915. Throughout its history, the unit has played a vital role in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, and aids to navigation for one of the nation’s busiest waterways. Today, USCG units at Sandy Hook continue to provide critical services ensuring the safety and security of the region’s maritime traffic.

USCGC ALERT (WMEC-630) is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1969. Built at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, ALERT has served in a variety of roles, including search and rescue, law enforcement, counter-narcotics operations, and fisheries patrols, primarily along the Pacific coast. The cutter has participated in numerous high-profile drug interdictions and humanitarian missions throughout its service. ALERT is homeported in Astoria, Oregon, and remains an integral asset to Coast Guard operations in the Pacific Northwest.