United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the coast guard of the United States. One of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and the smallest armed service of the United States, it has a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response and the maintenance of intercoastal and offshore aids to navigation (ATON). It also lays claim of being the United States' oldest continuous seagoing service.

Organization

The headquarters of the Coast Guard is on 2100 Second Street, SW, in Washington, DC. In 2005, the Coast Guard announced plans to relocate to the grounds of the former St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington.

Related Topics:
Washington, DC - 2005 - St. Elizabeth's Hospital

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Senior officers

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is the Coast Guard's senior officer, who, by law, holds the rank of Admiral. The Commandant is selected for a 4-year term, which may be renewed for additional 4-year periods. The current incumbent is Admiral Thomas H. Collins, who assumed command on May 30, 2002.

Related Topics:
Commandant of the Coast Guard - Admiral - Thomas H. Collins - May 30 - 2002

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The Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard is Vice Admiral Terry Cross.

Related Topics:
Vice Admiral - Terry Cross

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The Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard is Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen. He also serves as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Headquarters. After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf states in September 2005, Admiral Allen was sent to coordinate rescue and relief operations under Federal Emergency Management Administrator Michael Brown. Mr. Brown was relieved of day-to-day operations on September 9 and Admiral Allen was placed in charge of the overall effort.

Related Topics:
Thad W. Allen - Michael Brown

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The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) is the senior enlisted man of the Coast Guard and serves as an advisor to the Commandant. The current MCPOCG is Frank A. Welch, who assumed this position in 2002.

Related Topics:
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard - Frank A. Welch

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The Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy is Rear Admiral (lower) James C. Van Sice.

Related Topics:
United States Coast Guard Academy - Rear Admiral

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Each Coast Guard District has a Director of the Auxiliary (DIRAUX). The current Chief Director of the Auxiliary (CHDIRAUX) is Captain David B. Hill. He is responsible for directing the operations of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer organization.

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Regional responsibilities

The Coast Guard is divided into two Areas, the Atlantic and the Pacific, each of which is commanded by a vice admiral, with each being designated Maritime Defense Zones.

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The Coast Guard is then organized into districts, each responsible for a portion of the nation's coastline.

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U.S. Coast Guard Districts

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District Region District Office Area of Responsibility

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First District Atlantic Boston, Massachusetts New England states, New York, and northern New Jersey

Related Topics:
Boston - Massachusetts - New England - New York - New Jersey

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Fifth District Atlantic Portsmouth, Virginia Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina

Related Topics:
Portsmouth - Virginia - Pennsylvania - Delaware - Maryland - North Carolina

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Seventh District Atlantic Miami, Florida South Carolina, Georgia, and eastern Florida

Related Topics:
Miami - Florida - South Carolina - Georgia

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Eighth District Atlantic New Orleans, Louisiana Inland waters of the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico

Related Topics:
New Orleans - Louisiana - Gulf of Mexico

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Ninth District Atlantic Cleveland, Ohio Great Lakes

Related Topics:
Cleveland - Ohio - Great Lakes

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Eleventh District Pacific Alameda, California California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah

Related Topics:
Alameda - California - Arizona - Nevada - Utah

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Thirteenth District Pacific Seattle, Washington Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana

Related Topics:
Seattle - Washington - Oregon - Idaho - Montana

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Fourteenth District Pacific Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii and Pacific territories

Related Topics:
Honolulu - Hawaii

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Seventeenth District Pacific Juneau, Alaska Alaska

Related Topics:
Juneau - Alaska

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In each district, large operational centers known as Groups are being merged with Marine Safety Offices and being redesignated Sectors. Smaller boat stations are Stations, while aircraft fly from Coast Guard Air Stations. Stations report to Sectors, while Sectors and Coast Guard Air Stations report to District offices.

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Coast Guard Air Stations

The first Coast Guard Air Station was established in 1920 at Morehead City, North Carolina. Another Air Station was established in Biloxi, Mississippi between 1933 and 1947, and yet a third at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York.

Related Topics:
1920 - Morehead City, North Carolina - Biloxi, Mississippi - 1933 - 1947 - Floyd Bennett Field - Brooklyn, New York

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First District

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: CGAS Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Related Topics:
CGAS Cape Cod - Massachusetts

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Fifth District

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: CGAS Atlantic City, New Jersey

Related Topics:
CGAS Atlantic City - New Jersey

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: CGAS Elizabeth City, North Carolina: This is both an operational and a training air station. Enlisted Guardsmen in aviation ratings are taught at its Aviation Technical Training Center.

Related Topics:
CGAS Elizabeth City - North Carolina

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Seventh District

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: CGAS Clearwater, Florida

Related Topics:
CGAS Clearwater - Florida

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: CGAS Miami, Florida

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: CGAS Savannah, Georgia

Related Topics:
CGAS Savannah - Georgia

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: CGAS Borinquen, Puerto Rico

Related Topics:
CGAS Borinquen - Puerto Rico

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Eighth District

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:CGAS Houston, Texas

Related Topics:
CGAS Houston - Texas

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:CGAS Corpus Christi, Texas

Related Topics:
CGAS Corpus Christi - Texas

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:Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Alabama

Related Topics:
Coast Guard Aviation Training Center - Mobile, Alabama

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Ninth District

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: CGAS Detroit, Michigan

Related Topics:
CGAS Detroit - Michigan

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: CGAS Traverse City, Michigan

Related Topics:
CGAS Traverse City - Michigan

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Eleventh District

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: CGAS Humboldt Bay, California

Related Topics:
CGAS Humboldt Bay - California

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: CGAS Sacramento, California

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: CGAS San Francisco, California

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: CGAS Los Angeles, California

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: CGAS San Diego, California

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Thirteenth District

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: CGAS Astoria, Oregon

Related Topics:
CGAS Astoria - Oregon

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: CGAS North Bend, Oregon

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: CGAS Port Angeles, Washington

Related Topics:
CGAS Port Angeles - Washington

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Fourteenth District

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: CGAS Barbers Point, Hawaii

Related Topics:
CGAS Barbers Point - Hawaii

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Seventeenth District

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: CGAS Kodiak, Alaska

Related Topics:
CGAS Kodiak - Alaska

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: CGAS Sitka, Alaska

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