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Color photograph of the author, then Lt. Wayne Wheeler, on the bridge of Ironwood (WLB-297) in its home waters of Alaska. (Courtesy of the author)

Aug. 7, 2023

The Long Blue Line: The Ironwood—wartime ATON in Vietnam

"Back then it was less expensive to repair a ship in Japan than in a U.S. shipyard."

Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Yoder poses with FN Peele while taking a break during law enforcement training at the Portsmouth, Va., shooting range.

Aug. 2, 2023

“An experience you’re not gonna get anywhere else.” — Why Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Yoder serves at sea  

I wanted a little direction and opportunity for adventure, so we drove 4 1/2 hours from Wyoming to the nearest recruiter — and here I am. 

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Aug. 1, 2023

Changing the way we do business

Unmanned aircraft systems offer increased capabilities and reduced risks to crews.

This desegregation article series is dedicated to the all-African American crews of the Coast Guard’s Pea Island Lifeboat Station located in North Carolina. (U.S. Coast Guard)

July 26, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Part III “When I say Americans, I mean all Americans!” — Segregation’s take-down by President Harry Truman

Denial of employment and promotion, and separate dining and restroom facilities often characterized the experience and limited upward mobility for African American workers.

Aerial photograph showing, from left to right, fleet tug USS Wandank, submarine USS Sculpin, submarine rescue ship USS Falcon, naval shipyard tug Penacook, and Lighthouse Service tender Hibiscus, in addition to Coast Guard boats and spectator boats. (National Archives)

July 17, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Coast Guard helps rescue U.S. submarine Squalus over 80 years ago!

Trapped and tragically drowned in the flooded after compartments were 24 officers and sailors plus two civilian technicians. This left 32 officers and sailors and one civilian technician alive in the unflooded forward compartments. 

Congratulations to the winners of the second annual Excellence in Customer Service Awards. These Coast Guard units, teams and individuals assigned within Mission Support provided superior service to their customers, resulting in measurable operational success or improvements to Service readiness in calendar year 2022.

July 12, 2023

2022 Excellence in Customer Service Award recipients

Congratulations to the winners of the second annual Excellence in Customer Service Awards. These Coast Guard units, teams and individuals assigned within Mission Support provided superior service to their customers, resulting in measurable operational success or improvements to Service readiness in calendar year 2022.

The Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) program, which launched in January, will expand member-household eligibility from those earning below 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines beginning July 1, 2023.

July 5, 2023

Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) eligibility expanded

Military households making less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines will be eligible July 1, 2023.

Colorized black and white photograph of the Coast Guard cutter Algonquin contemporary to the 1924 Aerial Circumnavigation with crew standing on deck at attention. (U.S. Coast Guard)

June 30, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Coast Guard Cutter Algonquin’s role in the World’s First Aerial Circumnavigation 100 years ago!

It was the first attempt to circumnavigate the globe, and the world was watching through newspaper accounts.

Capt. Patrick Culver delivers remarks upon assuming the responsibility as the 16th Gold Ancient Mariner on July 17, 2020. The title of Ancient Mariner recognizes seagoing longevity and honors the most venerable practitioners of seamanship.

June 29, 2023

Special edition of Why I Serve at Sea — Captain Patrick Culver, Gold Ancient Mariner #16

This special edition of the Why I Serve at Sea series recognizes Capt. Patrick Culver. The Ancient Mariner program was established in 1978 to honor those who have chosen to accept the responsibilities of serving as a Cutterman and following the path of life at sea. This designation not only recognizes seagoing longevity but also extols the officer

Painting of the Escanaba’s nighttime rescue effort painted by an unknown artist.

June 23, 2023

The Long Blue Line: 80 years ago — Escanaba saves hundreds of lives and then perishes

The ship saved about 150 men who were cast into a very cold sea. Most of the men were helpless due to the cold, their hands and feet were frozen, many were unconscious, and only one group were in a boat.

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