United States Coast Guard Pacific Area

Crewmembers aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters #Steadfast and #Alert have been ...

Crewmembers aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters #Steadfast and #Alert have been busy this summer. Yesterday the Steadfast offloaded nearly 8.5 TONS of suspected #cocaine interdicted by the two cutters operating in the #EasternPacific over the past two months! The men and women of the Coast Guard, along with our partner agencies, tirelessly and selflessly combat the transnational organized criminal networks who traffic narcotics through international waters. “I continue to be impressed by the dedication and tenacity of the crews aboard our cutters and the difficult, dangerous missions they perform,” said Cmdr. Alain Balmaceda, commanding officer of the #Steadfast. “Their hard work means two things. First, more than eight tons of cocaine won’t reach our streets and add to the drug-related deaths and health problems facing our nation. And second, hundreds of millions of dollars are being denied to transnational criminal organizations who spread instability, death and despair wherever they operate.” BZ Alert and Steadfast - keep up the good work!

Welcome home! A #Sitka-based U.S. Coast Guard buoy-tender crew sailed the CGC #...

Welcome home! A #Sitka-based U.S. Coast Guard buoy-tender crew sailed the CGC #Maple up and around North America to the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore where the Maple will undergo its scheduled midlife maintenance. The crew returned home to Sitka aboard the CGC #Kukui, which just completed its midlife maintenance at the #CoastGuardYard. Sitka will be the new homeport for the Kukui where the crew and cutter will continue servicing the Alaskan waterways. Juniper-class buoy tenders, like the Kukui and the Maple, are 225-foot seagoing Coast Guard cutters responsible for maintaining short and long-range ATON including fixed structures and buoys. Buoy tenders are multi-mission vessels capable of icebreaking, conducting maritime law enforcement, homeland security, defense operations, and search and rescue assistance.

Check out the #Video from aboard a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station #Astoria #MH60 s...

Check out the #Video from aboard a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station #Astoria #MH60 showing the aircrew hoist an injured hiker from the south face of #MtStHelens Saturday afternoon. The #rescue was a coordinated effort with the help from members of the Skamania County Volcano Rescue Team. The injured hiker checked in with U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest to thank the crews for rescuing her! She reported she's doing better and recovering from multiple lacerations, a concussion, a broken hip, rib and a spinal injury.

Last week Air Station Sitka aircrews hoisted 11 plane-crash survivors from the s...

Last week Air Station Sitka aircrews hoisted 11 plane-crash survivors from the side of a mountain in Alaska. Yesterday, an aircrew from Air Station Astoria hoisted an injured 32-year-old hiker from the south face of #MtStHelens, 6,000’ feet above sea level! BZ to the MH-60 aircrew, Sector Colombia River and members from the Skamania County Volcano Rescue Team who were all apart of this #rescue.

Crewmembers aboard U.S. Coast Guard USCGC #Bertholf (WMSL 750) refuel a #MH65 Do...

Crewmembers aboard U.S. Coast Guard USCGC #Bertholf (WMSL 750) refuel a #MH65 Dolphin from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, July 10, during a Rim of the Pacific (#RIMPAC) exercise. Twenty-five nations, more than 46 ships and 5 submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Island and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Weydert/Released)

Did you hear about the U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers and volunteers from Ketch...

Did you hear about the U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers and volunteers from Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad who found and rescued 11 people from a plane crash earlier this week? The plane crash site was located 2000' above sea level on Mount Jumbo, which is about 39 miles southwest of Ketchikan on Prince of Wales Island in #Alaska. Check out the #video captured from one of the two responding U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrews aboard an MH-60 helicopter and see first hand the #rescue crews hoisting the 11 crash survivors!

#DYK the U.S. Coast Guard dive program, in conjunction with the #NationalStrikeF...

#DYK the U.S. Coast Guard dive program, in conjunction with the #NationalStrikeForce, continue improving the safety of Coast Guard divers through the development of new protocols and procedures for divers exposed to contaminated water? Members from the Pacific #StrikeTeam and an aircrew from U.S. Coast Guard Airsta Barbers Point loaded a trailer with decontamination equipment Saturday evening into a #HC130 to be flown from Air Station Sacramento to Honolulu for #RIMPAC2018. #NSF members and divers will be conducting decontamination exercises with members from the Regional Dive Locker Pacific during #RIMPAC to further refine and improve the program’s operating procedures. Protecting the health and safety of our divers is paramount and an essential element for mission success. Twenty-five nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial #RIMPAC exercise scheduled to run from June 27 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

#BZ to the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka #Jayhawk helicopter aircrews, the ...

#BZ to the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka #Jayhawk helicopter aircrews, the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad members and all those involved at #D17 for responding and rescuing 11 people after their plane crashed 39 miles south southwest of Ketchikan, AK near Hetta Inlet, 2,000 feet in elevation on Mount Jumbo. U.S. Coast Guard crews are trained to respond to calls for help whether its from mariners at sea or those in distress 2,000’ above sea level stranded on a mountain top like the 11 people in the plane were today. “I am proud of everyone involved in this rescue and that we were able to get all 11 people to safety in a timely manner,” said Cmdr. Michael Kahle, Coast Guard Sector Juneau search and rescue mission coordinator. “Cases like these exemplify the versatility of our aircrews and how capable they are to expertly perform rescues from the ocean or even mountainsides.” All were reported to have minor injuries, but otherwise in good condition. #USCG #SAR

Great video captured by Rick Lemberg showing a #USCG #rescueswimmer and an Air S...

Great video captured by Rick Lemberg showing a #USCG #rescueswimmer and an Air Station San Fransisco aircrew aboard a MH-65 helicopter hoisting a surfer to safety Sunday near Half Moon Bay, CA! A man hiking along a cliff contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around 1:45 p.m. Sunday requesting help for the surfer, who was stuck on the rocks and unable to get to shore. A East Bay Regional Park District lifeguard helped the man off the rocks and out to open water to meet the U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer where he was hoisted to safety and the awaiting medical personnel on shore. "This is a perfect example of teamwork in action, from the good Samaritan who made the call to the lifeguard who helped the surfer back into the water so we could hoist him," said Coast Guard Lt. Anders Manley, who co-piloted the helicopter for the hoist. "It proves that keeping the Bay Area safe is a team effort, especially as more people get out on the water to enjoy summertime weather." BZ to all those involved in this rescue and to Rick for capturing this heroic #interagency rescue on video sharing all the great work by those who helped get the surfer back to dry land.

2018 Rim of the Pacific (#RIMPAC) is underway and members from the Coast Guard M...

2018 Rim of the Pacific (#RIMPAC) is underway and members from the Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team-West trained alongside Canadian explosive ordnance disposal technicians during the Force Integration Training portion of RIMPAC in Southern California over the weekend. The teams worked together during the exercise taking control of a simulated high-threat/high-value vessel suspected of carrying improvised explosive devices. The training builds a foundation for future missions where #interagency cooperation is essential for our safety and security. "Our training today helped us observe and integrate with our Canadian #EOD partners to make sure our tactics, techniques, and procedures are aligned before we move into the next phase of the RIMPAC SOCAL exercise,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Richard Young, MSRT-W’s operations chief. #MSRT's consist of specially trained operators capable of interdicting, boarding and when necessary engaging in offensive operations to neutralize threats to our country. MSRT-West, based in San Diego, is the Coast Guard's short-notice maritime response and #counterterrorism team on the west coast. #RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise featuring 26 nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel who will participate in the exercise that runs till August 2nd in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. RIMPAC is training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's interconnected oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the biennial series that began in 1971. Check out this link to a great article and photos of this portion of the RIMPAC exercise submitted by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center - SMWDC Photos by U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew A. Stroup. #MotivationMonday https://dvidshub.net/r/58fkdi

Mid-summer heat got ya down? How about a #Swimcall to cool off! Be sure to check...

Mid-summer heat got ya down? How about a #Swimcall to cool off! Be sure to check out the @uscg Instagram page this week to learn more about the crewmembers aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter #Active! The Port Angeles, Washington based Medium Endurance Cutter has received several awards for outstanding service to the nation and to the maritime community, including oil recovery in Alaska following the EXXON VALDEZ oil spill, migrant interdiction, search-and-rescue operations and counter-drug operations. Today’s crew aboard Active continue conducting critical missions and service to our country just as the #plankowners did when the cutter was commissioned more than five decades ago and all those who’ve served aboard since her commissioning! U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkz22JSnOMI/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1bvi2ijfx6hl2" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkz22JSnOMI/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1bvi2ijfx6hl2</a>

"Together we make #America greater, and together America is greater now with you...

"Together we make #America greater, and together America is greater now with your citizenship," said U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Linda Fagan during a #naturalization ceremony held aboard the USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum on Tuesday. Vice Admiral Linda Fagan, the Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West commander, spoke during the naturalization ceremony which welcomed 76 immigrants from 31 countries who became American #citizens in front of family and friends aboard the Hornet&#39;s flight deck.

“The Bering Sea is a well-known area for its fish stocks, for the amount of biom...

“The Bering Sea is a well-known area for its fish stocks, for the amount of biomass that is located there, and a lot of people want in on the taking for it,” said Lt. Gregory Mitchell, operations officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon. Learn more about the crew members aboard the half-century old cutter as the crew patrols the #BeringSea for mariners in distress and enforcing laws and regulations related to the preservation of U.S. fisheries stocks protecting the living resources from illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries. The #Mellon, homeported in Seattle, and its 180 crew members embark every year on their Alaskan patrol from Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the nation’s top fishing port. The Mellon and its crew divide their patrols between the Pacific Ocean adjacent to Mexico and Guatemala. In the Eastern Pacific offshore South America the crew interdicts drug smugglers in the Joint Interagency Task Force – South area of responsibility. #MotivationMonday http://alaska.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2018/06/lookouts-of-the-last-frontier/

Coast Guard Cutter #Healy recently completed a six-month maintenance period in t...

Coast Guard Cutter #Healy recently completed a six-month maintenance period in their homeport of Seattle before sailing to San Diego to take on scientific equipment and give the crew an opportunity to get underway prior to their upcoming #Arctic deployment later this summer. Healy is only one of two active icebreakers the U.S. Coast Guard capable of accessing the #PolarRegions. "With increasing human activity and international interest, our sovereignty, security, and prosperity in this dynamic region hinge on effective governance; effective governance can only be achieved through physical and diplomatic presence," said Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Ray during his June, 7, 2018 testimony to lawmakers on the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation about our national security interests in the Arctic. Healy provides presence and access in the Arctic region protecting U.S. maritime borders and safeguarding the maritime economy. This summer the crew will sail north to support three major research missions in partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Office of Naval Research to conduct physical and biological research in the #ArcticOcean. Healy, commissioned in 2000, is the largest ship in the U.S. Coast Guard at 420-feet long with a displacement of over 16,000 tons and a permanent crew of 87. While in San Diego the crew welcomed the public to tour the ship and learn more about the critical missions they carry out in the #Polar regions. U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest

Medium Endurance Cutters have been serving our country for a long time. Some in ...

Medium Endurance Cutters have been serving our country for a long time. Some in fact were commissioned more than 50 years ago. One of the U.S. Coast Guard&#39;s highest priority acquisitions are the Offshore Patrol Cutters which will eventually replace the fleet of aging Medium Endurance Cutters bridging the gap between the National Security Cutters and the Fast Response Cutters. But the first OPC won&#39;t be delivered until at least 2021. In the meantime, crewmembers aboard the 28 #MediumEnduranceCutters, and support personnel, work diligently keeping MECs operational protecting Americans at home and aboard. It takes a special kind of commitment and dedication to keep these cutters going. Petty Officer 1st Class Victor Arcelay, a damage controlman, exhibits this level of commitment and dedication while serving aboard #CoastGuardCutterActive. Learn more about some of the challenges damage controlmen like Petty Officer 1st Class Victor Arcelay overcome to keep these cutters operational. Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse. U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest #HonorRespectDevotionToDuty

Congrats to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk crewmembers for recently being...

Congrats to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk crewmembers for recently being awarded the 2017 Minor Caliber Gunnery Award! The crew exemplified U.S. Coast Guard gunnery excellence and set a high standard for mission execution and fleet readiness. This award was originally presented to the USCGC SNOHOMISH in 1927. The Gunnery Award is presented annually to recognize cutters that best demonstrate exceptional minor and major caliber weapons ordnance programs. BZ shipmates! #devotiontoduty #USCG

#BZ Senior Chief #K9 Tomas on your retirement following your 9-year meritorious ...

#BZ Senior Chief #K9 Tomas on your retirement following your 9-year meritorious career in the U.S. Coast Guard! Senior Chief and his handler conducted a significant number of operations throughout his career in the Coast Guard as an explosion detective dog. Read below to learn more a sampling of the various events and operations he&#39;s been apart of throughout his #USCG career. #DidYouKnow K9s and their handlers work together to safeguard American&#39;s not only on our waterways but also on land??? We hope retirement isn&#39;t too ruff!

#DidYouKnow the U.S. Coast Guard is the only U.S. agency with the broad authorit...

#DidYouKnow the U.S. Coast Guard is the only U.S. agency with the broad authorities, capabilities, competencies, and partnerships here and abroad to interdict bulk loads of drugs in their purest form offshore before reaching land. #Bertholf crews and #interagency partners work together around the clock to combat the flow of drugs. #USCG #NSC #750 #LegendsBeginHere <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BkN6rpTnixW/" target="_blank">https://instagram.com/p/BkN6rpTnixW/</a>

Check out this great KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area piece about maintenance and...

Check out this great KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area piece about maintenance and repairs the U.S. Coast Guard #PolarStar is currently undergoing prior to their next deployment to #Antarctica supporting #ODF and the status of our nation’s #icebreaker fleet.

The U.S. Coast Guard #Instagram page has been taken over this week by PACAREA’s ...

The U.S. Coast Guard #Instagram page has been taken over this week by PACAREA’s U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf! Follow the @uscg #Instagram page and check in throughout the week to learn about the #Bertholf crew’s recent #counterdrug #deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean and their past missions. <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BkLBZRUnCCe/" target="_blank">https://instagram.com/p/BkLBZRUnCCe/</a>