My Coast Guard News

A colorful commemorative painting of the expedition by artist Dean Ellis. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Dec. 19, 2025

Northwest Passage—Coast Guardsmen the first Americans to break the ice!

After centuries of failed attempts that saw many explorers vanish, it was a trio of U.S. Coast Guard cutters that finally conquered the long-sought Northwest Passage.

Shown is part of a panoramic photograph of Nome, with the small white Nome Boat Station located in the center. Note the proximity of the boathouse to the open beach and the degree of exposure to high seas. (Library of Congress)

Dec. 17, 2025

Station Nome—saving lives near the Arctic Circle!

Of all the lifesaving stations in Coast Guard history, by far the most remote station was located at Nome, Alaska.

Cutter Bear finding a lead through the ice off the coast of Alaska. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)

Dec. 12, 2025

Overland Expedition—Arctic’s greatest rescue of all time!

Considered the greatest rescue mission in Arctic history, the Overland Relief Expedition cemented Captain David Jarvis's legacy as one of the service's most celebrated officers.

Left, LCDR Smith posing with noted Arctic explorer Lincoln Ellsworth in front of the Graf Zeppelin. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Right, Official service photograph of LCDR Edward “Iceberg” Smith taken before the historic 1931 Graf Zeppelin Arctic expedition. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Dec. 10, 2025

The Long Blue Line: Iceberg Smith and the 1931 Graf Zeppelin Arctic Expedition

LCDR Edward “Iceberg” Smith's work during the 1931 Graf Zeppelin Arctic Expedition was a key influence in the modernization of iceberg surveillance.

Recent photograph of a Coast Guard C-130 Hercules carrying out the aerial International Ice Patrol mission. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Dec. 5, 2025

150 years of Arctic operations and the Polar Security Cutter

For over 150 years, the Coast Guard and its ancestor agencies have played a major role in that Arctic region.

The 52-foot fishing vessel Thomas E after capture by Point Francis. (Courtesy of Eric Heestand)

Dec. 3, 2025

Drug Smuggler Thomas E and the Service’s first “Use of Disabling Fire” since Prohibition

In 1980, a dramatic high-seas pursuit ended a 47-year-old precedent.

Revenue cutter Vigilant firing on British privateer Dart prior to boarding and capturing the enemy vessel. (Coast Guard Collection)

Nov. 28, 2025

Alexander Hamilton and the Coast Guard as a U.S. Military Service

From humble beginnings as Hamilton's "cutters" enforcing tariffs, the U.S. Coast Guard has evolved into a vital military branch, safeguarding America's maritime interests since 1790.

One of Chatham Air Station’s HS-1 flying boats dropping its payload of two wing-mounted bombs. (Courtesy of the National Archives)

Sept. 26, 2025

The Long Blue Line: Phil Eaton—Coast Guard’s Winged Warrior of World War I

Rear Admiral Philip Eaton was one of thousands of Coast Guard aviators who have made their mark as members of the service’s long blue line.

Officers of the Revenue Cutter Bear pose for a group photo with Samuel Call standing in the back row far right. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Sept. 25, 2025

The Long Blue Line: Surgeon Call—Arctic Hero of the Coast Guard and Public Health Service!

Samuel J. Call’s contributions epitomized the finest in officers of the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Coast Guard, practicing the latter’s core values of “Honor, respect and devotion to duty.”

An HNS-1 helicopter in flight. (Coast Guard Historian’s Office)

Sept. 19, 2025

Erickson—Coast Guard pioneer of helicopter flight 80 years ago!

80 years ago, Coast Guard pilot LCDR Frank A. Erickson's revolutionized search and rescue.

Support and partner resources