HEADQUARTERS

April 3, 2025

Coast Guard commissions Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon (WPC 1158) in Kodiak, Alaska

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard commissioned its newest cutter, Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon (WPC 1158) for official entry into its service fleet during a ceremony held in Kodiak, Thursday. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District. Members of the Witherspoon family were also in attendance, including the cutter’s sponsor, Regina Nash, the daughter of John Witherspoon. The Witherspoon is the 58th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) in the service and the first of three FRCs scheduled to be homeported at Coast Guard Base Kodiak. The crew of the Witherspoon will primarily serve in and around the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and North Pacific Ocean. The cutter is designed for missions such as search and rescue; fishery patrols; drug and migrant interdiction; national defense; and ports, waterways, and coastal security. The namesake for the cutter, Capt. John G. Witherspoon, enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1963 and commissioned as an ensign in 1971. During his career, Witherspoon rose to the rank of captain and served as the commanding officer on Coast Guard Cutters Mallow (WLB 396), Valiant (WMEC 621), and Dependable (WMEC 626). During his tenure, Witherspoon became the first African American to command a medium endurance cutter and the first African American officer to command both afloat and ashore units. He earned both the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal and two Coast Guard Commendation Medals during his career. In honor of his dedication to mentorship amongst Coast Guard personnel, the Coast Guard established the Captain John G. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership Award, which is given to one active duty officer and one reserve officer each year who demonstrate Witherspoon’s qualities of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. The Coast Guard has ordered a total of 65 FRCs to replace the 1980s-era Island-class 110-foot patrol boats. The FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping. The commissioning ceremony is a traditional milestone in the life of a cutter that marks its entry into active service and represents the cutter’s readiness to conduct Coast Guard operations.

April 2, 2025

Coast Guard Cutter Midgett completes deployment in Oceania, strengthens partnerships and maritime security

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) returned to Honolulu Tuesday, from a 76-day multi-mission deployment to Oceania in support of Operation Blue Pacific, steaming over 11,000 miles and demonstrating America’s commitment to an open Pacific.

April 2, 2025

Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker returns to the U.S. after 128-day deployment in support of Operation Deep Freeze

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew returned to the United States, arriving in San Francisco Sunday, following a 128-day deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2025. Polar Star completed its 28th voyage to Antarctica in support of the joint military service mission to resupply and maintain the United States Antarctic Stations. Every year, a joint total force team works together to complete a successful Operation Deep Freeze in support of the U.S. National Science Foundation – the agency that manages the United States Antarctic Program.

April 1, 2025

Coast Guard repatriates 99 aliens to Haiti

MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Seneca's crew repatriated 99 aliens to Haiti, Tuesday, following a

March 31, 2025

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard to commission Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon (WPC 1158) in Kodiak, Alaska

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a commissioning ceremony for Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon (WPC 1158), the service’s newest Fast Response Cutter (FRC), Thursday. WHO: Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District; Lt. Cmdr. Adam Young, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon, Lt. j.g. Katelynn Lane, executive officer of Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon; cutter crew members. WHAT: Commissioning ceremony for Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon, the service’s newest FRC and first of three FRC’s to be homeported at Coast Guard Base Kodiak WHEN: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aviation hangar Members of the media are requested to RSVP to the Coast Guard District 17 Public Affairs office by emailing uscgalaska@uscg.mil or calling (907) 723-5367 no later than Wednesday, April at 2:00 p.m. to receive instructions for attendance and base access.

March 31, 2025

Media Advisory: Coast Guard Cutter Midgett to return to Honolulu following Operation Blue Pacific patrol

HONOLULU – The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) is slated to return to Coast Guard Base Honolulu Tuesday.

March 31, 2025

Coast Guard, Navy rescue 18 people from disabled vessel off San Diego coast

IMAGERY AVAILABLE: A Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) rescued 17 aliens and one American aboard a disabled and adrift vessel approximately 50 miles southwest of San Diego Sunday.

March 29, 2025

Coast Guard rescues kite surfer off Fort Pierce Inlet

MIAMI - A Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce boat crew rescued a kite surfer in distress, Saturday, after a good Samaritan reported the incident half a mile off Fort Pierce Inlet.

March 29, 2025

Coast Guard detains 8 Mexican fishermen, seizes 150 pounds of illegally poached fish off Texas coast

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard interdicted and detained 8 Mexican fishermen engaged in illegal fishing and seized approximately 150 pounds of fish in federal waters off southern Texas, Friday.

March 28, 2025

Coast Guard increases operational presence near southwest border between U.S. and Mexico

IMAGERY AVAILABLE: The Coast Guard has increased its operational presence near the southwest border between U.S. and Mexico to enhance border security, immigration enforcement and to protect the territorial integrity of the United States.