United States Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard was founded in the 1790s as part of the US Department of Treasury, but is now part of the US Department of Transportation. Its motto is Semper Paratus, "Always Ready."
Platforms
The U.S. Coast Guard uses a variety of platforms to conduct its daily business. Cutters and small boats are used on the water and fixed and rotary wing (helicopters) aircraft are used in the air.
Cutters
A "Cutter" is any Coast Guard vessel 65 feet in length or greater, having adequate accommodations for crew to live on board. Larger cutters (over 180 feet in length) are under control of Area Commands (Atlantic Area or Pacific Area). Cutters at or under 180 feet in length come under control of District Commands. Cutters, usually have a motor surf boat and/or a rigid hull inflatable boat on board. Polar-class icebreakers (WAGB) also carry an Arctic Survey Boat (ASB) and Landing Craft.
- [[USCG coastal buoy tender|Coastal Buoy Tender (WLM)]
Aircraft
There are a total of 211 aircraft in CG inventory. This figure fluctuates operationally due to maintenance schedules. Major Missions: Search/Rescue, Law Enforcement, Environmental Response, Ice Operations, and Air Interdiction. Fixed-wing aircraft (HC-130 Hercules turboprops and HU-25 Guardian jets) operate from large and small Air Stations. Rotary wing aircraft (HH-65 Dolphin and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters) operate from flight-deck equipped Cutters, Air Stations and Air Facilities.
Boats
(Approximately 1400 - number fluctuates). All vessels under 65 feet in length are classified as boats and usually operate near shore and on inland waterways. Craft include: Motor Lifeboats; Motor Surf Boats; Large Utility Boats; Surf Rescue Boats; Port Security Boats; Aids to Navigation Boats; and a variety of smaller, non-standard boats including Rigid Inflatable Boats. Sizes range from 64 feet in length down to 12 feet.
Missions
The Coast Guard carries out five basic missions: Maritime Safety, Maritime Mobility, Maritime Security, National Defense, and Protection of Natural Resources.
Maritime Safety
Search and Rescue
Marine Safety
Recreational Boating Safety
International Ice Patrol
Maritime Mobility
Aids to Navigation
Icebreaking Services
Bridge Administration
Vessel Traffic and Waterways Management
Maritime Security
Drug Interdiction
Alien Migrant Interdiction
US Exclusive Economic Zone and Living Marine Resource
Law and Treaty Enforcement
General Maritime Law Enforcement
National Defense
General Defense Duties
Homeland Security
Port and Waterways Security
Polar Icebreaking
Protection of Natural Resources
Marine Pollution Education, Prevention, Response & Enforcement
Foreign Vessel Inspections
Living Marine Resources Protection
Marine and Environmental Science
Those who have piloted or flown in U.S. Coast Guard aircraft under official flight orders may join the /Ancient Order of the Pterodactyls ("Flying Since the World was Flat").