The Coast Guard delivered a year of historic operational success in 2025, as missions ranging from record-setting drug interdictions in the Eastern Pacific to challenging foreign vessels in the Arctic, reinforced its vital role in protecting U.S. interests at home and abroad.
“The men and women of the Coast Guard delivered exceptional results in 2025,” said Acting Commandant, Adm. Kevin Lunday. “Record drug interdictions, rapid response to contingencies and protecting our ports and waterways reflect a Service that remains capable, adaptable, and responsive to protecting the American people and our national security.”
Here’s a look at some of these key accomplishments.
Record-setting drug interdictions
In 2025, the Coast Guard made history by seizing over 511,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at more than $3.8 billion. This was the largest annual maritime drug interdiction in the service's history, stopping countless lethal doses from reaching U.S. communities.
- Operation Pacific Viper: This operation, launched in August, surged forces to the Eastern Pacific to dismantle cartels. In less than three months, crews interdicted over 100,000 pounds of narcotics.
- CGC Stone's historic patrol: Coast Guard Cutter Stone set a record by seizing over 60,000 pounds of cocaine, the most ever by a single unit on one deployment.
- HITRON's 1,000th bust: The Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) marked its 1,000th counter-narcotic interdiction, a testament to their precision and bravery.
Securing our borders and national interests
Coast Guard crews patrolled over 100,000 miles of U.S. border, leading to the interdiction or transport of over 11,000 illegal aliens. Operation River Wall was a key part of this effort, enhancing maritime security along the Rio Grande Valley.
Further north, the service's vigilance was critical in the Arctic. Coast Guard Cutters Healy, Waesche, and the new icebreaker Storis challenged the largest number of Chinese research vessels to date operating over the U.S. extended continental shelf. Additionally, maritime security teams conducted high-profile boardings of tankers like the M/V Skipper and Centuries, enforcing U.S. sanctions in coordination with the Departments of Justice, State, and War.
Always ready to save lives and protect the U.S.
When disaster struck, the Coast Guard was there. Air crews from Air Stations Corpus Christi and Houston rescued and evacuated over 230 victims during catastrophic flash floods in Texas. Across the nation, Coast Guard crews saved 5,220 lives, assisted over 19,437 people, and preserved or assisted more than $1.02 billion in property.
The service's work was also vital to the nation's economy. By maintaining over 50,000 aids to navigation (ATON), the Coast Guard facilitated the safe movement of more than 1.8 billion tons of cargo, underpinning an estimated $5.4 trillion in economic activity.
Building the force of tomorrow
The Coast Guard achieved record-setting recruiting results in 2025, marking the Service’s best recruiting performance since 1991 and significantly strengthening workforce readiness. This included the largest number of officer accessions in recorded history. The Coast Guard accessed more than 6,000 active-duty and reserve enlisted members. These results reflect sustained investments in recruiting, opened seven new recruiting offices nationwide, and continued congressional support to build an agile, capable and responsive maritime fighting force.
A growing workforce is central to Force Design 2028, our roadmap for the future. This initiative is transforming the service by focusing on our people, modernizing command and control, and aligning our operations to meet new challenges.
"Force Design 2028 ensures we deliver today while building the Coast Guard of tomorrow," Lunday said. "Our performance this year demonstrates the strength of our people and the importance of adapting to meet emerging challenges.”
As we look ahead, the Coast Guard will continue to focus on securing our borders, protecting our ports, and responding to all contingencies with the innovation and dedication that defines our service.
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