Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District

 PHOTO ESSAY

JUNEAU, Alaska -- The Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet was originally commissioned a Navy Diver Class Fleet Rescue and Salvage vessel Feb. 5, 1944.  The 64-year-old 213-foot medium endurance cutter was commissioned as a Coast Guard Auxiliary tug Aug. 23, 1946 and has served in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Bering Sea. 

Above:  The Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet sails through Gastineau Channel past the remains of an early 20th century pier Sept. 21, 2008. The pier was once part of the original city of Juneau.    [View High Resolution]

Left:  Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Greer evaluates a meter on one of the four propulsion engines on board the Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet Sept. 24, 2008.  The Acushnet is powered by four diesel electric propulsion engines, four propulsion generators, four propulsion motors and two shafts that enable the cutter to conduct patrols from Southeast Alaska to the Bering Sea. The Acushnet is currently the oldest operational cutter in the fleet.  [View High Resolution]

The Acushnet was crowned "Queen of the Fleet" after the decommissioning ceremony of the Coast Guard Cutter Storis on Feb. 8, 2007.  The Storis was the oldest cutter until its decommissioning.  The title "Queen of the Fleet" is a distinction given to the oldest commissioned cutter in service.  

The Acushnet left Juneau Sept. 24, 2008 to conduct a patrol in the Bering Sea.  Its primary missions include search and rescue, homeland security, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. 

During the course of 64 years of service, Acushnet crews have received the following awards for exemplary service: World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, two Coast Guard Unit Commendations, five Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, seven Coast Guard "E" Ribbons, Navy Occupation Service Medal, three National Defense Service Medals, two Humanitarian Service Medals, and two Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons.

Right:  Hands of a Coastguardsman rest on the original wooden helm of the Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet.  Crewmembers change on a regular basis, but as a permanent fixture aboard the cutter, the helm has acquired a well worn appearance that only six decades of service and thousands of individual's hands could reveal. [View High Resolution]

The Acushnet also holds the title "The ‘A' Team in Alaskan Fisheries," since it is able to handle the Alaskan environment more effectively than most other cutters.

After 64 years of service the cutter remains multi-mission ready and the crew is able to continuously carry out the Acushnet's motto, "Juvate, Servate, Confirmat," which means,  "Help, Save, Strengthen." 

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The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District

 PHOTO ESSAY

KODIAK, Alaska - Air Station Kodiak is home to four MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters that require routine maintenance ranging from fluid changes to complete engine overhauls. Aviation maintenance technicians ensure there is always a Jayhawk ready to fly. Maintenance is conducted 24 hours a day seven days a week.  

ABOVE: Aviation maintenance technicians work on an Air Station Kodiak-based MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter as part of routine heavy maintenance for the engines and electrical equipment Sept. 18, 2008. [View High Resolution]

LEFT: Petty Officers 3rd Class Jacolby Cross, left, and Julie Mirador, aviation maintenance technicians, perform routine heavy maintenance on the engines of a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter Sept. 17, 2008. [View High Resolution]

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The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District

 PHOTO ESSAY

ARCTIC OCEAN - On Aug. 22 the crew of the 378-foot Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton departed Dutch Harbor to conduct the first Coast Guard safety and security patrol in the Arctic by a high endurance cutter.

The two week patrol took the Hamilton north through the Bering Strait and into the unfamiliar maritime environment of the Arctic Ocean.  High endurance cutters are no stranger to the Bering Sea, where they conduct fisheries, homeland security and search and rescue missions year round in extreme weather. 

As climate change continues to expose more water during the summer months, ships are entering American Arctic waters. As maritime traffic and interest increases in this part of the world, the Coast Guard's missions are expanding to meet the need. 

To better prepare, the Coast Guard is examining its role in the Arctic by sending a variety of assets into the region to test Coast Guard missions and operational capabilities.

As part of the on going examination of the Arctic, the Hamilton performed many firsts for a high endurance cutter. During the deployment the crew carried out an Arctic Homeland Security patrol, participated in a search and rescue drill and boarded a fishing vessel in Arctic waters. 

While operating off the North Slope the Hamilton faced many challenges specific to the Arctic. Pack ice was the number one threat to the cutter. The hulls of most Coast Guard ships are not designed to withstand impact with large chunks of sea ice common in Arctic waters. This required extra vigilance by the Hamilton's crew. The Hamilton is based out of San Diego, California.

ABOVE:  A landing safety officer guides a Kodiak-based HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew down to the landing pad on the aft portion of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton Aug. 30, 2008. The 65 crew met the Hamilton  in the Bering Sea as they made their way to the Arctic. This deployment for the helicopter crews is called known as Alaska Patrol.  [ View High Resolution ]

LEFT:  Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery Schoknecht, a gunners mate from the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, climbs down a Jacob's ladder to an awaiting small boat as the crew prepares to board a fishing vessel for the first time in Arctic waters Sept. 1, 2008. The boat helped the fishing vessel by bringing a machinery technician to inspect the engines after the fishing vessel had engine trouble. A challenge of the Arctic to mariners is the lack of infrastructure to assist them. Vessels must be able to make their own repairs and carry enough supplies as they are alone in this part of the world. [ View High Resolution ]

RIGHT: Petty Officer 1st Class Jessica Young, a boatswains mate from the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, skillfully maneuvers a small boat alongside the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR as part of a search and rescue drill Aug. 31, 2008. The small boat transferred a health services specialist and some machinery technician to help the SPAR as part of the drill. The Coast Guard is examining mass casualty rescue operations in the far north after the sinking of a cruise ship in the Antarctic in 2007. During this exercise the SPAR represented a small cruise ship that had stuck ice and was sinking. [ View High Resolution ]

RIGHT:  Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton stand watch on the bridge of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton as Canadian Coast Guard Captain Victor Gronmyr looks on at the activities Aug.t 31, 2008. The United States is just one of several Arctic nations concerned with the increase of vessel traffic in the region. Gronmyr, who has served aboard vessels in the Arctic, offered insight to the crew of the Hamilton during the transit of the Arctic. [ View High Resolution ]

BOTTOM RIGHT: The native village of Little Diomede sits on the border of Russia and the United States Aug. 29, 2008. The small island is positioned a mile and a half away from Big Diomede, the Russion island. Family and friends from native villages on both islands have continued to stay in contact over the years. [ View High Resolution ]

BELOW:  Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Lotz stands outside of the Kodiak-based HH-65 Dolphin on the sandy beaches of the northern most point in the United States as Lt. Patrick Lineberry checks the equipment in the Dolphin Aug. 30, 2008. [ View High Resolution ]

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The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District

 PHOTO ESSAY

Right: JUNEAU, Alaska - Petty Officer 3^rd Class Lonnie Horne performs maintenance checks on the electronic system on board a 47-foot motor life boat at Coast Guard Station Juneau Oct. 9, 2008.  Coast Guard Photo taken by Petty Officer 3^rd Class Walter Shinn.[View High Resolution]

Left: Petty Officer 3^rd Class Lonnie Horne is writing notes while taking a class on political science as part of the Coast Guard Community College Education Program. Currently there are 19 personnel from Sector Juneau, Station Juneau and District 17 personnel that are taking a class three times a week. Coast Guard Photo taken by Petty Officer 3^rd Class Walter Shinn. [View High Resolution]

Petty Officer 3^rd Class Lonnie Horne, a Boatswain's Mate at Station Juneau, is one of 19 other Coast Guardsmen that are involved in an on-base associate of science program designed for military members by Vincennes University.  Horne is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, and is currently enrolled in the political science class that is credited by Vincennes University. He is one of the original 22 students who began the program, 19 of which persisted and will graduate in the spring.

The Vincennes University education program is accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a Servicemembers Opportunity College partner.

For six to 10 weeks a Vincennes instructor comes to teach personnel at Station Juneau who are enrolled in the program.  Classes are held on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two hours.  The current classes being instructed at Station Juneau are Political Science and Introduction to State and Local Government.

"My favorite class so far has been the first class," Horne Said. "It was a history class based on Juneau and its surrounding area."  I like history so the class was both enlightening and educational for me."

The enrolled personnel from Station Juneau will receive a confired associated of science degree from Vincennes University, which is transferable into a BA/BS program if they choose.

Right: Coast Guard Station Juneau Personnel take notes during a political science class Oct. 9, 2008.  Students enrolled in the current course will receive six college credits. Coast Guard Photo taken by Petty officer 3^rd Class Walter Shinn. [View High Resolution]

"There is no doubt in my mind that this series of classes have increased my knowledge of other societies around the world," said Horne.  "There is so much that we can learn from our own lifestyle and that of foreign countries.  These few classes have taught me that there is more to life than meets the eye."

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The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.