My Coast Guard News

A black background and a globe setting the scene in space, there are satelites, planes, information flows, and arrows all showcasing how a distress call would originate, how it gets to the MCC, and then how it gets routed out to SAR teams to find the asset or personnel.

Nov. 1, 2024

Search and rescue is a basic principle: someone is in distress and the Coast Guard answers the call, and that bias for action is an innate quality in the service’s long line of rescuers.

May 2, 2024

Joint Program Office uses the MQ-9 aircraft to save four souls off the coast of Texas

Successful case demonstrates how the range, endurance, and sensor capabilities of the MQ-9 can support Coast Guard SAR operations.

Main images from the third and last story in a series about the SS Marine Electric sinking.

Aug. 23, 2023

The Long Blue Line: A tragedy remembered — SS Marine Electric sinking 40 years ago, part three

The shipwreck that prompted the creation of the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program is recalled by the pilot of one of the helicopters sent to rescue survivors on that fateful night.

Long Blue Line Marine Electric series part 2 photo highlights.

Aug. 21, 2023

The Long Blue Line: A tragedy remembered — SS Marine Electric sinking 40 years ago, Part Two

The shipwreck that prompted the creation of the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program is recalled by the pilot of one of the helicopters sent to rescue survivors on that fateful night.

Long Blue Line Marine Electric series part 1 photo highlights.

Aug. 18, 2023

The Long Blue Line: A tragedy remembered — SS Marine Electric sinking 40 years ago, Part One

The shipwreck that prompted the creation of the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program is recalled by the pilot of one of the helicopters sent to rescue survivors on that fateful night.

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.

A photograph of LTJG Tom Beard, who began his career as a Navy pilot and transferred to the Coast Guard aviation branch. (Courtesy of the author)

July 7, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Omitted — Coast Guard’s forgotten evacuation of typhoon-ravaged Wake Island 55 years ago!

Being the first aircraft to arrive, the C-130 landed about 11:00 a.m. Wake Island time or just over 12 hours following the storm’s passage.

June 26, 2023

Coast Guard convenes a Marine Board of Investigation for Titan Submersible

An MBI is the highest level of investigation in the Coast Guard. Upon completion of the investigation, the Board will issue a report to the Commandant with the evidence collected, the facts established, its conclusions, and recommendations.

25 auxiliarists from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, and active-duty members from Station Michigan City recently conducted three search and rescue drills and studied operations policy over two days.

June 16, 2023

Joint operations event sees active duty and Auxiliary crews prepare for a busy SAR season

Active duty members and auxiliarists hold two-day training exercise at Station Michigan City.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Richard Dixon photographed in his dress blues in Oregon. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Jan. 13, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Senior Chief Richard Dixon—heavy-weather coxswain during powerful Fourth of July

Two notable rescues in the same weekend