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Chief Petty Officer David Krahn, an operations specialist assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless (WMEC 624), hugs his family after Dauntless returned home from deployment, April 24, 2024, in Pensacola, Florida. Dauntless deployed for two months to support Operation Vigilant Sentry while conducting maritime safety and security missions. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt.j.g. Olivia Gonzalez)

April 24, 2024

US Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless returns home to Florida after 61-day Operation Vigilant Sentry patrol

PENSACOLA, Fla. —  The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless (WMEC 624) returned to their home port in Pensacola, Wednesday, following a 61-day patrol in the Windward Passage and Florida Straits. While underway, crew members conducted maritime safety and security missions to protect life at sea and deter illegal migrant voyages bound for the United States. Dauntless deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast (HSTF-SE) and Operation Vigilant Sentry (OVS) while patrolling in the Coast Guard Seventh District’s area of responsibility. While underway, Dauntless worked alongside other Coast Guard assets and units to dissuade unsafe maritime migration and enforce U.S. law on the high seas.

On April 18, 2024, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam spearheaded a comprehensive Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (MASFO), meticulously inspecting 172 containers at the Port of Guam. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of containerized cargo, which is crucial for the island's economy and environmental protection. The MASFO brought together various agencies, including the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Port Authority Police, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other law enforcement and regulatory bodies. These agencies collaboratively exercised their inspection capabilities, focusing on containerized cargo across all modes of transportation.

April 23, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard, partners conduct Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation at the Port of Guam

PITI, Guam — On April 18, 2024, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam spearheaded a comprehensive Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (MASFO), meticulously inspecting 172 containers at the Port of Guam. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of containerized cargo, which is crucial for the island's economy and environmental protection.

The crew of the USCGC Orcas holds a decommissioning ceremony for the cutter in Coos Bay, Oregon, Apr. 23, 2024. Orcas was commissioned in 1989 and spent all 35 years of its service in Coos Bay. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class William Kirk)

April 23, 2024

Coast Guard Cutter Orcas decommissioned after 35 years of service in Coos Bay, Oregon

COOS BAY, Ore. – The Coast Guard decommissioned the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Orcas (WPB1327) during a ceremony, Tuesday. Rear Adm. Charles Fosse, the commander of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony honoring the 35 years of service Orcas and its crews provided to the nation.

April 23, 2024

Coast Guard completes investigation into loss of Mary B II near Newport, Oregon

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard has completed its investigation into the January 8, 2019, loss of the Commercial Fishing Vessel MARY B II on the Yaquina Bay Bar near Newport, Oregon.

Photo of eight persons aboard a Dominican Republic Navy vessel after they were interdicted by the Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser during an unlawful maritime migration voyage in the Mona Passage, April 19, 2024. Following the interdiction, Dominican Republic Navy authorities detained three U.S. citizens from this voyage, who reportedly are wanted in connection with a July 2020 shooting at a residential community in Puerto Rico, where four people were killed. U.S. Marshals Service authorities are coordinating the extradition of the three suspects to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. (Courtesy Photo)

April 23, 2024

Coast Guard interdiction leads to the apprehension of 3 wanted U.S. citizens

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser interdicted an unlawful migration voyage in the Mona Passage, Friday. Following the interdiction, Dominican Republic Navy authorities detained three U.S. citizens, who reportedly are affiliated with a criminal gang and wanted in connection with a July 2020 shooting at a residential community in Puerto Rico in which four people were killed. The suspects are currently under the custody of the Dominican Republic ‘Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas' DNCD (United States Marshals Service Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office Fugitive Investigative Unit). United States Marshals Service Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force for the District of Puerto Rico are coordinating the deportation of the three suspects.

U.S. Coast Guard members from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam participated in a comprehensive subject matter expert exchange with multiple agencies in Saipan from April 8-12, 2024, to enhance inter-agency cooperation and proficiency in maritime operations. During this pivotal event, Chief Petty Officer Richard Hofschneider of the Forces Micronesia Ready for Operations department, Chief Petty Officer Robert Cook, Petty Officer 1st Class Juan Taijeron, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Apiag, also a Coast Guard reservist from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor in Guam, met with representatives from CNMI Department of Fire and EMS (DFEMS) and CNMI Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

April 22, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard engages with CNMI, Guam agencies in subject matter expert exchange on boat forces operations

SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — U.S. Coast Guard members from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam participated in a comprehensive subject matter expert exchange with multiple agencies in Saipan from April 8-12, 2024, to enhance inter-agency cooperation and proficiency in maritime operations. During this pivotal event, Chief Petty Officer Richard Hofschneider of the Forces Micronesia Ready for Operations department, Chief Petty Officer Robert Cook, Petty Officer 1st Class Juan Taijeron, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Apiag, also a Coast Guard reservist from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor in Guam, met with representatives from CNMI Department of Fire and EMS (DFEMS) and CNMI Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander presides over Coast Guard Sector New York’s change-of-command ceremony at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in Manhattan, New York, April 22, 2024. Capt. Zeita Merchant transferred command of Coast Guard Sector New York to Capt. Jonathan Andrechik during the ceremony. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Schultz)

April 22, 2024

Coast Guard Sector New York holds change of command ceremony

NEW YORK — Capt. Zeita Merchant transferred command of Coast Guard Sector New York to Capt. Jonathan Andrechik Monday, during a change-of-command ceremony at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in Manhattan. Click the link above to view the full story.

April 22, 2024

Media Availability: Coast Guard, Mexican Navy to discuss illegal fishing, offer boat ride in Corpus Christi, Texas

WHAT: Interviews on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) and a boat ride as part of a North American Maritime Security Initiative exercise WHO: Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi command and Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) leaders WHEN: Interviews from 9-10 a.m. followed by a boat ride from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 WHERE: Interviews will be held at the Port of Corpus Christi, 400 Harbor Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. The boat ride will depart from the Lawrence Street T-Head, Corpus Christi, TX 78401.

U.S. Coast Guard Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) and crew returned home port in Alameda, April 21, 2024. Stratton and crew conducted a a 111-day deployment to the Bering Sea in support of search and rescue capabilities and protecting the United States’ northern-most borders. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Charly Tautfest)

April 22, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returns home following 111-day Alaskan deployment

ALAMEDA, Calif. – U.S. Coast Guard Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) and crew returned home port in Alameda, Monday, following a 111-day deployment to the Bering Sea in support of search and rescue capabilities and protecting the United States’ northern-most borders. Stratton and crew departed Alameda January 2, and while deployed, Coast Guard’s Seventeenth District maintained operational control. Congress mandates a continuous presence for search and rescue capabilities in the Bering Sea, and Stratton and crew operated in the harsh environment for 72 days. Stratton was at the forefront of maritime safety and security. The cutter's presence in the region ensured rapid response to emergencies, safeguarding the lives of Alaskan fishermen.

Chief Petty Officer Luis Reyes Blas stands with fellow chiefs on March 26, 2024, at Latte Stone Park, Guam. This advancement was a personal milestone and a continuation of a revered family legacy. Both his grandfather and great-grandfather served as Chiefs in the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)

April 21, 2024

Roots of Resilience: The Chamorro spirit of Chief Petty Officer Luis Jose Reyes Blas

In the vast expanse of the Pacific, where the horizon seems to stretch infinitely, blending sea and sky, Chief Petty Officer Luis Jose Reyes Blas charts a profoundly personal and universally inspiring course. His recent advancement to chief petty officer on March 26, 2024, is a personal milestone and a continuation of a revered family legacy. Both his grandfather and great-grandfather served as chiefs in the U.S. Navy. Yet Luis's story is distinctly his own, woven from the rich cultural fabric of his Chamorro heritage, a point of pride, especially during Chamorro Heritage Month.