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Jan. 18, 2026

Coast Guard rescues boaters from sinking vessel off New Jersey

A Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew and Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin aircrew rescued three mariners after their 74-foot boat began to sink approximately 4 nautical miles northeast of Shark River Inlet, Saturday.

Jan. 18, 2026

Coast Guard interdicts 9 aliens west of Black’s Beach, Calif.

SAN DIEGO — Coast Guard members interdict nine suspected aliens approximately 19 miles west of Black’s Beach, Saturday morning. At 11:39 a.m., crew members aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward (WPC 1130) encountered a cuddy-cabin vessel transiting at a high rate of speed.

A graphic representing the U.S. Coast Guard’s new Office of Rapid Response and Prototyping (CG-RAPTOR), launched to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative technology for enhanced maritime operations. CG-RAPTOR supports Force Design 2028, driving rapid solutions to empower Coast Guard personnel and strengthen mission success. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy graphic)

Jan. 16, 2026

U.S. Coast Guard launches RAPTOR, hosts demonstration of innovative technology to enhance maritime domain dominance

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is proud to announce a bold new era in mission success, unveiling a rapid-response approach that identifies, prototypes and delivers breakthrough technologies to meet urgent operational needs and drives accelerated transition to programs. The Office of Rapid Response and Prototyping (CG-RAPTOR) is accelerating the “idea-to-operations” cycle, rolling out proven solutions within 30, 60, and 90 days through dynamic collaboration with operators, industry leaders and subject matter experts.

U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Kevin E. Lunday is sworn in as the 28th Coast Guard Commandant by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 15, 2026. Lunday served as Acting Commandant since Jan. 20, 2025. Before serving as Commandant, Lunday served as the 34th Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard

Jan. 15, 2026

Kevin E. Lunday is sworn in as the 28th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

WASHINGTON — The United States Coast Guard held a formal swearing-in and assumption of command ceremony today for Adm. Kevin Lunday as the 28th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard during an event at Coast Guard Headquarters.

A Coast Guard Cutter Alert (WMEC 630) small boat crew interdicts a go-fast style vessel trafficking illegal narcotics in the Windward Passage, Dec. 6, 2025. Alert's crew seized 2,250 pounds of cocaine valued at $18.4 million, seven pounds of marijuana valued at $7,000 and an illegal firearm, later transferring the narcotics, firearm and four suspected drug smugglers aboard to the Bahamas government for prosecution. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Jan. 15, 2026

Coast Guard Cutter Alert returns home after interdicting more than $18.4M in narcotics during 45-day patrol

Cape Canaveral, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert (WMEC 630) returned to their home port in Cape Canaveral, Thursday, following a 45-day counter-drug patrol in the Windward Passage, Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. While underway in the Coast Guard Southeast District area of responsibility, Alert’s crew interdicted a go-fast style vessel trafficking illegal narcotics in the Windward Passage. The crew seized 2,250 pounds of cocaine valued at $18.4 million, seven pounds of marijuana valued at $7,000 and an illegal firearm. The four suspected smugglers on board, narcotics and firearm were transferred to the Bahamas government for prosecution.

Jan. 15, 2026

Coast Guard Releases Force Design 2028 Initial Update, Highlights Return on Investment

WASHINGTON — The United States Coast Guard today released the Force Design 2028 Initial Update, detailing the reforms implemented since January 2025 and the significant, measurable impacts these changes have delivered for the American people. The update underscores how Force Design 2028 has strengthened the Service’s operational effectiveness, improved workforce readiness, accelerated capability delivery, and generated unprecedented value for the Nation.

An architectural rendering depicts the future U.S. Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, Texas. The $200 million recapitalization project includes new operational, support, and waterfront facilities, and is scheduled for completion in 2028. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy illustration)

Jan. 14, 2026

Coast Guard awards record $200 million contract to rebuild Station South Padre Island, Texas

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a $200 million design-build contract to The Haskell Company for the comprehensive recapitalization and expansion of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island in South Padre Island, Texas. This award marks the largest single task order in the history of the Coast Guard’s military construction program.

Jan. 14, 2026

MEDIA ADVISORY: Adm. Kevin E. Lunday to assume command of the U.S. Coast Guard

WASHINGTON — Adm. Kevin E. Lunday will officially be sworn in as the 28th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard during an Assumption of Command Ceremony. The ceremony will be presided over by the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

The USCGC Hickory (WLB 212), a 225-foot Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender, arrives in Apra Harbor as it comes to their new homeport in Guam on Jan. 14, 2026, following a more than 13,000-mile transit over 71 days from the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore through the Panama Canal. After an extended Major Maintenance Availability at the Yard, part of the In-Service Vessel Sustainment Program that modernizes the entire Juniper-class fleet with hull repairs, system upgrades, and replacement of obsolete equipment, the Hickory is now fully revitalized. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Muir)

Jan. 14, 2026

USCGC Hickory arrives in Guam, restoring full buoy tender capacity in Oceania

SANTA RITA, Guam — The USCGC Hickory (WLB 212), a 225-foot Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender, arrived at its new homeport in Guam on Wednesday, following a more than 13,000-mile transit over 71 days from the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore through the Panama Canal. After an extended Major Maintenance Availability at the Yard, part of the In-Service Vessel Sustainment Program that modernizes the entire Juniper-class fleet with hull repairs, system upgrades, and replacement of obsolete equipment, the Hickory is now fully revitalized. “This crew has shown remarkable resilience through extended separations and demanding preparations. We are excited to reunite with our families in Guam and eager to get underway on ATON missions that keep these vital sea lanes safe. As a multi-mission cutter, Hickory stands ready to support the full spectrum of Coast Guard operations in this critical region,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Lash, commanding officer of Hickory.

Jan. 13, 2026

Coast Guard interdicts 15 aliens near San Clemente Island

SAN DIEGO – Coast Guard members interdicted 15 suspected aliens approximately 24 miles southwest of San Clemente Island, Tuesday morning.At 9:43 p.m., Monday night, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center received a report of an unidentified vessel transiting towards U.S. waters and dispatched Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC 1156) crew members.