USCGC KISKA History 

Map of Kiska IslandKISKA was commissioned in 1990 at Bollinger Shipyards and immediately stationed in Hilo, Hawaii. USCGC CAPE SMALL (WPB 95300) had previously served in Hilo from 1953 to 1987 and USCGC CAPE CROSS (WPB 95321) from 1987 to 1990. In October of 2017, KISKA moved to Santa Rita, Guam, and relieved USCG ASSATEAGUE (WPB 1337) who had served in Guam from 1990 to 1992 and then from 2006 to 2017. Prior to USCGC ASSATEAGUE's service, USCGC CAPE GEORGE (WPB 95306) served in Guam from 1982 to 1990, and USCGC GALVESTON ISLAND (WPB 1349) served in Guam between the years of 1992 to 2006.

USCGC KISKA was named after Kiska Island (see map to left), which is located in the remote Aleutian Island Chain (part of the State of Alaska). Kiska Island was a battle site in World War II. Kiska Island was captured by Japanese forces and occupied for over a year. Immediately before Allied forces invaded Kiska Island to retake it, the occupying Japanese forces evacuated the island, escaping under a shroud of heavy fog. Today, Kiska Island is a National Historic Landmark and is also part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. There is also an active volcano on Kiska Island.