Robert Helfrich

Cape Hinchinbrook Light House (LH), located at the entrance to Prince William Sound in Alaska, played a strategic role in coastal defense and navigation during the 20th century. Constructed in 1910, the lighthouse was manned by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and later the U.S. Coast Guard, serving as a vital aid to navigation for military and commercial vessels, especially during World War II when Alaska's coastline faced potential threats. The site was outfitted with additional communications and observation equipment during the war, supporting military operations in the region. Today, Cape Hinchinbrook LH stands as a historic landmark, reflecting its longstanding contribution to maritime safety and military readiness in Alaska.

**Port Hueneme Station** is a key United States Navy installation located on the California coast, established during World War II to support Pacific Theater operations. Originally commissioned in 1942, the station quickly became the West Coast homeport for the Navy’s Construction Battalions—better known as the Seabees—playing a vital role in logistics, training, and deployment. Over the decades, Port Hueneme has supported various military operations, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, by serving as a hub for construction, engineering, and supply activities. Today, it hosts the Naval Construction Battalion Center and continues to provide critical support for Navy construction forces and fleet readiness worldwide.

USCGC WALNUT (WLB-205) is a United States Coast Guard seagoing buoy tender of the Juniper class, commissioned in 1997. Originally homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, WALNUT was responsible for maintaining aids to navigation, conducting search and rescue, environmental protection, and law enforcement operations throughout the Pacific region. In 2021, WALNUT was reassigned to Pensacola, Florida, following a major midlife overhaul. The cutter continues to play a vital role in supporting Coast Guard missions in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding waters.