My Coast Guard
The Coast Guard Cutter Adak, from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is loaded onto a military transport ship at the Norfolk International Terminal in Norfolk, Virginia, Jan. 29, 2003. Crew members will meet their cutters overseas as they deploy in support of the war on terrorism.

March 23, 2023

The Long Blue Line - 20 Years OIF: “Tip of the Spear” Coast Guard Cutter Adak combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Of the 146 Coalition naval units in the Persian Gulf, Adak served deepest in enemy territory and served as the “tip of the spear” for Coalition naval forces.

Coast Guard Cutter Walnut, a buoy tender homeported in Honolulu and deployed to the Persian Gulf in February 2003, performs aids to navigation work. The cutter arrived in the Persian Gulf Feb. 27, 2003 to support U.S. Naval Forces Central Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Coast Guard Collection)

March 22, 2023

The Long Blue Line - 20 Years OIF: This is the Coast Guard Cutter Walnut's story about deploying to the Persian Gulf for buoy tender operations 

The cutter deployed to the Persian Gulf to defend against environmental warfare in the form of oil spills.

Petty Officer Second Class Paul F. Floge, a Coast Guard reservist with Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311 out of San Pedro, Ca., provides security with a .50 caliber machinegun on the Khawr al Amaya oil terminal off the coast of Iraq. Flodge, who works full time for the Los Angeles Police Department, is one of many reservists called to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

March 21, 2023

The Long Blue Line - 20 Years OIF: Combat Operations of Port Security Units during Operation Iraqi Freedom

The role of Port Security Units during OIF.

Night-time force protection duty at the PATFORSWA compound. (U.S. Coast Guard)

March 20, 2023

The Long Blue Line - 20 Years OIF: PATFORSWA—largest USCG unit outside U.S. territory

What it took to stand up the services largest unit outside of the United States.

03/27/03, North Persian Gulf - Coast Guardsmen aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Boutwell chat on the flight deck following refueling operations at sunset. The Boutwell, homeported in Alameda, California., is in the Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

March 19, 2023

The Long Blue Line - 20 Years OIF: Coast Guard combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom began 20 years ago.

Coast Guard civilian logo

March 17, 2023

Civilians: Annual performance ratings due by April 30 

Now's the time to tell your supervisor what you’ve accomplished during this rating cycle 

Coast Guard emblem

March 17, 2023

Opportunity: Become a personal coach through this free federal program  

Apply by Monday, March 20 for an 8-month program open to civilians and officers.

Rare photograph of Anita Clothier in uniform with official cover. (U.S. Coast Guard

March 17, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Skipper, jeep driver, and bandmaster forgotten by history

Coast Guard women of World War II’s temporary reserve.

Coast Guard members assigned to Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., stand at attention during a Galaxy soccer game at Stanford Stadium in Calif., Saturday, June 29, 2013. During the halftime show, fans and players paused to recognize approximately 500 military members from different branches. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart)

March 13, 2023

Lessons from an unconventional leader 

What an Italian soccer coach can teach us.

Beverly Kelley, first woman to command a U.S. military vessel, on the bridge of the 95-foot Cutter Cape Newhagen. (U.S. Coast Guard)

March 10, 2023

The Long Blue Line: OCS and female trailblazers in the Coast Guard’s officer corps, 1973-2010

I’m very, very aware of the extremely qualified women with tremendous potential right behind me.  

Last reviewed on: 10/05/2020