U.S. Coast Guard

USCGC Basswood (WLB-388) was a Cactus-class 180-foot seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1944. Initially assigned to the Pacific theater during World War II, she served by maintaining aids to navigation, supporting convoy operations, and conducting search and rescue missions. Throughout the Cold War era, Basswood played a crucial role in servicing navigation aids across the Pacific, including the Mariana Islands and Micronesia, and participated in atomic testing support at Bikini Atoll. The cutter remained active until her decommissioning in 1998, marking over five decades of distinguished service.

USCGC Blackhaw (WLB-390) was a Cactus-class 180-foot seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1944. Initially based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Blackhaw served throughout the Pacific, maintaining aids to navigation, conducting search and rescue missions, and supporting military operations during and after World War II. The cutter continued its vital service during the Cold War, performing law enforcement, icebreaking, and environmental protection duties. After over four decades of distinguished service, Blackhaw was decommissioned in 1993, leaving a legacy of dedication to maritime safety and national security.

USCGC VIGOROUS (WMEC-627) is a Reliance-class medium endurance cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1969. Built at the American Shipbuilding Company in Lorain, Ohio, VIGOROUS has served in a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, drug interdiction, and homeland security operations along the U.S. East Coast, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Over its decades of service, VIGOROUS has been instrumental in numerous high-profile rescues and major narcotics seizures, contributing significantly to Coast Guard operations. The cutter continues to play a vital role in safeguarding U.S. maritime interests and ensuring maritime safety and security.

Aton Yerba Buena, located in San Francisco, CA, is historically associated with the U.S. Coast Guard's Aids to Navigation (ATON) operations in the San Francisco Bay area. This unit has played a crucial role since the mid-19th century, maintaining and servicing lighthouses, buoys, and other navigational aids to ensure safe passage for military and commercial vessels. During World War II, the unit was instrumental in supporting the increased maritime traffic and coastal defense measures. Today, Aton Yerba Buena continues its mission, employing advanced technology and dedicated personnel to safeguard one of America's busiest and most strategic waterways.

Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, was established in 1945 to support maritime patrol and search and rescue operations throughout the Pacific. The unit has played a critical role in safeguarding the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters, conducting missions such as law enforcement, environmental protection, and disaster response. Over the years, the air station has operated various aircraft, including the HC-130 Hercules and the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, enhancing its reach and response capabilities. Today, Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point remains a vital asset in Pacific Region operations, exemplifying dedication to maritime safety and security.

Key West, Florida, has been a strategic military location since the early 19th century, with the establishment of Fort Zachary Taylor in 1845 to defend the nation’s southern coastline. During the Civil War, Key West remained under Union control, serving as an important base for blockading Confederate shipping. In the 20th century, Key West became a vital naval station, particularly during World War II and the Cold War, hosting anti-submarine operations and supporting the Cuban Missile Crisis response. Today, Naval Air Station Key West continues to provide training and operational support for the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and allied forces.

Loran Station Adak, located on Adak Island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain, was established by the United States Coast Guard during World War II as part of the Long Range Navigation (LORAN) system. Operational from 1943, the station provided critical radio navigation signals to support Allied naval and air operations across the North Pacific, particularly during the Aleutian Campaign against Japanese forces. Following the war, Loran Station Adak remained active through the Cold War, enhancing maritime safety and supporting both military and commercial vessels in the remote region. The station was eventually decommissioned in the late 20th century as satellite-based navigation systems rendered LORAN technology obsolete.

Loran Station Kure Island was a United States Coast Guard-operated Long Range Navigation (LORAN) station located on Kure Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1960, the station played a vital role in providing navigational signals to military and civilian vessels and aircraft across the Central Pacific, particularly during the Cold War era. The isolated outpost was staffed by rotating crews who maintained the transmitter and ensured continuous signal reliability. Loran Station Kure Island was decommissioned in 1992 as advancements in satellite navigation technology, like GPS, rendered LORAN systems largely obsolete.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, located on the south shore of Long Island, New York, traces its origins back to the establishment of a life-saving station in the 19th century to aid shipwrecked mariners along the treacherous Atlantic coast. The station became part of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915, when the Life-Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service. Over the decades, Station Shinnecock has played a vital role in maritime safety, search and rescue operations, and law enforcement in the busy waters off Long Island. Today, the station continues its mission, utilizing modern vessels and technology to safeguard the region’s waterways and support the local community.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, was officially commissioned in 1945 to support search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime patrol missions across the vast Pacific region. Initially established at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, the unit relocated to Barbers Point in 1965, enhancing its strategic reach. Over the decades, Air Station Barbers Point has operated a variety of aircraft, including the HC-130 Hercules and the MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, to conduct missions spanning from routine patrols to high-profile disaster responses. The unit continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters, collaborating with regional and international partners to ensure maritime safety and security.

The USCG Training Facility at Avery Point in Groton, Connecticut, was established during World War II as a key site for the training of Coast Guard personnel. Originally built on the grounds of the former estate of Morton Plant, the facility played a significant role in preparing recruits and officers for wartime service, particularly in maritime operations and coastal defense. Following the war, the site continued to serve as an important hub for Coast Guard education and specialized training. In 1967, the facility was closed as a training site, and the property was transferred to the State of Connecticut, eventually becoming part of the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus.

USCGC Acushnet (WMEC-167) was commissioned in 1946 as USS Shackle (ARS-9), a salvage ship for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946 and renamed Acushnet, she served for over 60 years as a medium endurance cutter. Throughout her career, Acushnet conducted search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions, primarily in Alaskan and Pacific Northwest waters. Known as "The Queen of the Fleet," Acushnet was the oldest commissioned cutter in the Coast Guard until her decommissioning in 2011.

USCGC Citrus (WLB-300) was a Cactus-class seagoing buoy tender commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1943. During World War II, Citrus was assigned to the Alaskan sector, performing vital aids to navigation, search and rescue, and convoy escort duties in the harsh northern waters. In the postwar decades, Citrus continued service along the West Coast and Alaska, supporting maritime safety and law enforcement missions. After nearly five decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1995 and later transferred to the Dominican Republic, where she served as Almirante Juan Alejandro Acosta (BE-01).

USCGC Owasco (WHEC-39) was a United States Coast Guard high endurance cutter commissioned in 1945. Originally built for service during World War II, Owasco was primarily used in peacetime operations following the war, performing search and rescue, law enforcement, and ocean station duties. During the Vietnam War, the cutter was deployed as part of Operation Market Time, conducting naval gunfire support and interdiction patrols off the coast of Vietnam. Owasco was decommissioned in 1973, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.

USCGC **Winnebago (WHEC-40)** was an Owasco-class high endurance cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1946. Designed for extended offshore patrols, Winnebago served in a variety of roles, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and ocean station duty during peacetime. During the Vietnam War, she was deployed as part of Operation Market Time, conducting interdiction and support missions along the Vietnamese coast. After over two decades of service, the cutter was decommissioned in 1973, marking the end of her distinguished career.

**2134 Det 1 CG** (2134th Detachment 1, Coast Guard) is a small, specialized unit within the United States Coast Guard, activated to provide targeted support for regional maritime operations. Established in the early 21st century, the detachment has been tasked with a variety of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security along critical coastal areas. Over the years, 2134 Det 1 CG has participated in joint exercises with other military branches and responded to several natural disasters, enhancing interagency cooperation and disaster response capabilities. The unit is recognized for its adaptability, rapid deployment readiness, and commitment to safeguarding U.S. maritime interests.

The 601st Tactical Control Group (601st TCG) was established by the United States Air Force to provide tactical command and control of air operations in support of ground forces, primarily in Europe during the Cold War. Activated in 1957, the unit played a crucial role in managing radar sites, mobile command posts, and communication networks for NATO air defense. Headquartered at Sembach Air Base in West Germany, the 601st TCG coordinated air surveillance and interception missions, ensuring rapid response to potential threats from the Eastern Bloc. The group was later redesignated and reorganized as part of the U.S. Air Force’s evolving tactical air control system structure.

Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Woods Hole is a United States Coast Guard unit based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Established to ensure the safety and reliability of navigational aids in the busy waters surrounding Cape Cod and the islands, ANT Woods Hole is responsible for maintaining buoys, beacons, and lighthouses in the region. The unit plays a critical role in supporting maritime commerce and the safety of recreational and commercial vessels within its area of responsibility. Over the years, ANT Woods Hole has responded to numerous emergencies and weather events, demonstrating the Coast Guard’s commitment to maritime safety and excellence.

Coast Guard Station Port Aransas, located on the Texas Gulf Coast, has played a vital role in maritime safety and security since its establishment in 1879 as a U.S. Life-Saving Service station. Over the decades, it evolved into a critical base for the U.S. Coast Guard, supporting search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection missions along the busy waterways near Corpus Christi. The unit has responded to numerous hurricanes, shipwrecks, and emergencies, ensuring the safety of mariners and coastal communities. Today, CG Station Port Aransas remains a key asset in safeguarding the Gulf of Mexico and supporting national security interests.

The Law Enforcement Dog Encounters Training (LEDET) unit was established to address the growing need for specialized instruction in safely and effectively managing encounters between law enforcement personnel and canines, both domesticated and working dogs. Originating in the early 2010s, LEDET was formed in response to increasing incidents involving police and civilian dogs, aiming to reduce unnecessary use of force and promote safer outcomes for officers and animals alike. The unit developed comprehensive training programs focusing on canine behavior, de-escalation techniques, and non-lethal response tools. Over the years, LEDET has become a leading resource for law enforcement agencies nationwide, enhancing officer safety and fostering better community relations through education and outreach.

LORAN Station St. Paul Island, Alaska, was established in 1943 during World War II as part of the United States' efforts to improve long-range navigation in the North Pacific. Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, the station provided essential LORAN (Long Range Navigation) signals to support Allied maritime and aerial operations, particularly in the challenging weather conditions of the Aleutian Islands. The remote facility was manned year-round, with personnel enduring harsh isolation and extreme climates to maintain continuous signal transmission. The station remained operational through the Cold War until its closure in 1978, having played a vital role in both military and commercial navigation for over three decades.

**Marblehead, Ohio** has a rich military heritage centered around its strategic location on the southern shore of Lake Erie. During the War of 1812, the Marblehead Peninsula served as a critical lookout position for American forces, supporting operations around nearby Fort Sandusky and aiding in early warning against British and Native American raids. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Marblehead Lighthouse area became a training and staging ground for various Ohio militia and National Guard units, given its accessibility and importance for coastal defense. Today, the legacy of military service in Marblehead is honored through local memorials and the continued presence of veterans and military organizations in the community.

USCGC Minnetonka (WHEC-67) was a high endurance cutter commissioned by the United States Coast Guard in 1946. Originally built as part of the Owasco-class, she served extensively during the Cold War, performing law enforcement, search and rescue, and ocean station duties. During the Vietnam War, Minnetonka was deployed as part of Operation Market Time, conducting coastal patrols to interdict enemy supply lines. After decades of distinguished service, the cutter was decommissioned in 1974.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans (NRLNS) was established in 1955 at Alvin Callender Field in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, to provide vital search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection missions along the Gulf Coast. Initially equipped with HU-16E Albatross seaplanes and HH-52A Seaguard helicopters, the unit has since transitioned to modern MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters to better serve its operational area. Throughout its history, the air station has played a crucial role in hurricane response, most notably during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, rescuing thousands of stranded citizens. Today, USCG Air Station New Orleans remains a frontline unit, ensuring maritime safety and security across the central Gulf region.