The United States Coast Guard has a significant presence in the state of Alaska, which has over 6,600 miles of coastline. The Coast Guard is responsible for a wide range of duties in Alaska, including search and rescue operations, environmental protection, law enforcement, maintaining aids to navigation, defense readiness, icebreaking, and more. Determining exactly how many Coast Guard personnel are stationed in Alaska requires an examination of the various units and assets located in the state.
Overview of the Coast Guard in Alaska
The Coast Guard maintains a District command, two Sectors, various air stations and cutters, and over 1,000 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel in Alaska. The Coast Guard has been involved in Alaska since 1867, when the U.S. purchased the territory from Russia. Some of the major Coast Guard units and resources located in Alaska include:
– District 17 – This is one of the Coast Guard’s nine District offices, and is responsible for overseeing all Coast Guard operations in Alaska. District 17 is located in Juneau.
– Sector Anchorage – One of two Sector field commands in Alaska, located in Anchorage. Responsible for the western and southern coasts of Alaska.
– Sector Juneau – The other Sector field office, located in Juneau. Responsible for southeast Alaska.
– Air Station Kodiak – Provides helicopter search and rescue support for southwestern Alaska.
– Air Station Sitka – Helicopter support for southeast Alaska.
– Four Coast Guard Cutters – Include the Cutters Sycamore, Hickory, Maple, and Firebush. Used for law enforcement, aids to navigation, icebreaking and other missions.
– Aids to Navigation Team – Maintains over 550 buoys, beacons and other navigation aids in Alaska.
– Several small boat stations – Located in various coastal cities like Ketchikan, Kodiak, Petersburg, Seward and Valdez. Operate Defender-class rescue boats.
Personnel Numbers by Location
The following is a breakdown of approximate Coast Guard personnel numbers in Alaska by location:
District 17
– 120 active duty members
– 50 civilians
Sector Anchorage
– 350 active duty members
– 100 civilians
– 50 reservists
Sector Juneau
– 250 active duty members
– 75 civilians
– 25 reservists
Air Station Kodiak
– 150 active duty members
– 50 civilians
Air Station Sitka
– 100 active duty members
– 25 civilians
Aids to Navigation Team
– 25 active duty members
Cutters and Stations
– 100 total active duty crew on the four Coast Guard cutters
– 75 active duty members at the small boat stations
Other Units
– Approximately 50 other reserve, auxiliary and support personnel
Total Alaska Coast Guard Personnel Numbers
Based on the preceding breakdown, it can be estimated that there are approximately 1,100 total Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel located in Alaska to serve the state’s vast maritime needs. This includes around 950 active duty personnel, 100 reservists, and over 100 civilians. The personnel are distributed between District 17, the two Sectors, air stations, cutters, small boat stations, and other support units. The Coast Guard maintains a strong presence in Alaska due to the state’s extensive coastline, challenging weather conditions, and the high volume of maritime traffic transiting through Alaskan waters. The Coast Guard will likely continue maintaining roughly 1,000-1,200 personnel in Alaska into the future to fulfill its many responsibilities in the state.
Coast Guard Duties and Responsibilities in Alaska
The approximately 1,100 Coast Guard members serving in Alaska provide a wide range of essential services to both maritime interests and coastal communities. Some of the major duties include:
Search and Rescue
With thousands of miles of remote coastline and severe weather, Alaska presents numerous search and rescue challenges. Coast Guard assets based in Kodiak, Sitka and other locations conduct rescues for mariners in distress, provide medical evacuations, and assist other agencies with SAR missions. For example, Air Station Kodiak responds to around 150 cases per year on average.
Homeland Security and Law Enforcement
The Coast Guard enforces U.S. laws, regulations, and treaties in Alaska waters. This includes intercepting illegal drugs and migrants, regulating fishing, and investigating pollution incidents. Coast Guard cutters and aircraft patrol offshore, while small boat stations monitor closer to shore.
Aids to Navigation
The Aids to Navigation Team maintains lighthouses, buoys, beacons and other aids essential for safe marine navigation in Alaska’s challenging waters. They service around 550 total aids across the vast state.
Icebreaking
Coast Guard icebreakers are critical for keeping sea lanes open and allowing maritime traffic to transit Alaska waters during the winter. The cutters conduct operations in locations like the Bering Sea, Saint Lawrence Island and the Arctic.
Defense Operations
As one of the five armed services, the Coast Guard supports national defense operations in Alaska when required, such as providing security for military vessels transiting to and from Alaska bases.
Protecting Natural Resources
The Coast Guard helps prevent and respond to environmental hazards like oil spills and illegal dumping that can harm Alaska’s sensitive natural resources and wildlife.
Marine Safety
Conducting inspections of commercial vessels, responding to pollution incidents, and enforcing safety regulations are some of the ways the Coast Guard promotes marine safety in Alaska.
Facilitating Commerce and Recreation
By maintaining maritime navigation aids, performing icebreaking, and supporting the seafood industry and recreational boating, the Coast Guard enables commerce and tourism opportunities critical to Alaska’s economy.
Notable Coast Guard Incidents in Alaska
Over the years, the brave men and women of the Coast Guard in Alaska have participated in many challenging and impactful operations. Here are a few notable incidents:
January 2006 – Alaska Ranger Sinking
Coast Guard crews from Kodiak rescued 42 crewmembers from the fishing vessel Alaska Ranger which sank in the Bering Sea. Tragically, 5 crewmembers were lost.
December 2004 – Selendang Ayu Grounding
An oil spill response team was activated when the bulk carrier Selendang Ayu ran aground near Unalaska Island and broke in half, releasing fuel oil and soybeans.
February 1999 – F/V Arctic Rose Sinking
All 15 crewmembers were lost when the Arctic Rose suddenly capsized and sank in the Bering Sea. Coast Guard assets searched over 38,000 square miles unsuccessfully for survivors.
March 1989 – Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
After the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground and spilled over 11 million gallons of crude oil, the Coast Guard led a massive response effort including deploying cutters and aircraft to support containment and cleanup operations.
December 1978 – Ocean Ranger Drilling Rig Disaster
Coast Guard helicopters and cutters assisted with search and recovery efforts after the offshore drilling platform Ocean Ranger capsized off Newfoundland during a winter storm, killing all 84 crewmembers on board.
Coast Guard Bases and Air Stations in Alaska
The major Coast Guard bases and air stations located in Alaska include:
Air Station Kodiak
– Located on Kodiak Island
– Supports District 17 and Sector Anchorage operations
– Home to 6 MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and roughly 150 personnel
– Conducts about 150 search and rescue cases annually
Air Station Sitka
– Located in Sitka in southeast Alaska
– Supports Sector Juneau area of responsibility
– Home to 2 MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters
– Handles approximately 60 search and rescue cases per year
Sector Anchorage
– Located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage
– Covers western and southcentral Alaska
– Oversees small boat stations at Kodiak, Cold Bay, and Bristol Bay
– Responsible for about 1,600 miles of coastline
Sector Juneau
– Located in Juneau, covers southeast Alaska
– Area of responsibility includes about 1,000 miles of coastline
– Small boat stations located in Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Seward, Sitka and Valdez
District 17
– District headquarters office located in Juneau
– Led by District Commander Rear Admiral Nathan Moore
– Responsible for directing all Coast Guard operations across Alaska
Base Kodiak
– Support base on Kodiak Island
– Provides maintenance, logistics and operations support for Kodiak-based assets
– Homeport for 2 of the Coast Guard’s 4 Alaska-based cutters
Alaska Coast Guard Cutters and Patrol Boats
The Coast Guard operates several cutters and patrol boats out of bases in Alaska to carry out offshore and coastal missions:
Cutters Based in Kodiak
– USCGC Firebush (WLB-393) – 140-foot icebreaking tug
– USCGC Hickory (WLB-212) – 225-foot seagoing buoy tender
Cutters Based in Cordova
– USCGC Sycamore (WLB-209) – 225-foot seagoing buoy tender
– USCGC Maple (WLB-207) – 225-foot seagoing buoy tender
Patrol Boats
– 4 x 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boats (Ketchikan, Seward, Sitka, Valdez)
– 5 x 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (Kodiak, Petersburg, Seward)
– 10 x 29-foot Response Boat-Small (Throughout Alaska)
These cutters and patrol boats provide maritime law enforcement, aid navigation, conduct rescues, enforce fisheries laws, and protect Alaska’s waters. The crews frequently operate in harsh winter conditions. The 225-foot buoy tenders and 140-foot icebreaker are especially valuable assets for accomplishing the Coast Guard’s missions in Alaska’s challenging environment.
Coast Guard Aviation Assets in Alaska
The Coast Guard maintains a fleet of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft at air stations across Alaska:
Air Station Kodiak
– 6 x MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters (primarily for search and rescue)
– 3 x HC-130 Hercules airplanes (maritime patrol and cargo)
Air Station Sitka
– 2 x MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters
Other Alaska Locations
– 4 x MH-65 Dolphin helicopters at Cordova
– 2 x HC-130 Hercules at Kodiak
– Occasional deployment of HH-60 Jayhawks, HC-27 Spartan planes, and other aircraft
These aircraft patrol Alaska’s vast coastline, conduct search and rescue missions, transport cargo and personnel, monitor fishing fleets, and support other Coast Guard operations. The MH-60 Jayhawk and HC-130 Hercules in particular provide critical capabilities and extend the Coast Guard’s reach across the expansive Alaskan wilderness.
History of the Coast Guard in Alaska
The Coast Guard has served a vital role in Alaska for over 150 years:
1867
When the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia, the Revenue Cutter Service (precursor to Coast Guard) sent the cutter Lincoln to patrol the new territory.
1900s
As Alaska’s population grew due to the Gold Rush and commercial fishing, the Coast Guard expanded operations by establishing small boat and radio stations.
1940s
During WWII, the Coast Guard was responsible for Alaska’s coastal defense including escorting merchant ships in Alaskan waters.
1967
The Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of Treasury to the newly-formed Department of Transportation.
1971
Additional Arctic responsibilities were assigned to the Coast Guard including icebreaking operations.
2003
The Coast Guard was again transferred, this time to the Department of Homeland Security after the 9/11 attacks.
Present Day
The Coast Guard remains indispensible to maritime safety, security and stewardship in Alaska’s challenging northern frontier.
Alaska’s extreme climate and hazardous waters make the Coast Guard’s duties even more essential. The brave men and women stationed in Alaska will continue serving this critical mission for the state and nation into the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is estimated that the Coast Guard has around 1,100 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel based at various units across Alaska. This includes about 950 on active duty stationed at District 17, air stations, cutters, sectors, small boat stations and other supporting commands. The Coast Guard serves the essential functions of search and rescue, law enforcement, aids to navigation, icebreaking and defense readiness for Alaska’s extensive maritime domain. Personnel operate from key bases in Kodiak, Sitka, Juneau and Anchorage while conducting operations offshore using cutters and aircraft. The long history and vital importance of the Coast Guard’s duties in Alaska will certainly continue in the years ahead. With its wide range of capabilities and highly trained personnel, the approximately 1,100 members of the Coast Guard will remain Semper Paratus – Always Ready to serve Alaska.