USCGC Aspen (WLB 208)

The Coast Guard Cutter Aspen, a 225-foot buoy tender homeported in San Francisco, conducts a security patrol while the USS Carl Vinson sailed in formation for the Fleet Week Parade of Ships, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. Fleet Week is a week long event that celebrates both the domestic and international maritime services. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Aspen is the eighth cutter built in the new Juniper Class Sea Going Buoy Tender fleet. She was built at Marinette Marine Corp in 2000-2001, launched on April 21, 2001, accepted by the Coast Guard on September 28, 2001, and commissioned on January 24, 2002. ASPEN is one of the most technologically advanced cutters in the Coast Guard fleet. Aspen is homeported in San Francisco, Ca. Her crew compliment is 34 enlisted and 7 officers. ASPEN is responsible for over 100 aids in her area of responsibility, stretching from the Oregon-California border down south to San Diego. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson)

USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717)

Coast Guard Cutter Mellon (WHEC 717) a 378 feet high endurance cutter patrols the waters of off Kodiak Alaska. MELLON is the third of the Coast Guard's Hamilton class High Endurance Cutters. MELLON was commissioned in 1968 at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans. MELLON was named after Andrew W. Mellon, the 49th Secretary of the Treasury, who served during the administration of President Herbert Hoover, from 1921-1932. Her first homeport for many years was Honolulu, Hawaii, but in the early 90's MELLON transferred to Seattle, Washington. (USCG photo by PA1 Keith Alholm)

USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717)

Coast Guard Cutter Mellon (WHEC 717) a 378 feet high endurance cutter patrols the waters of off Kodiak Alaska. MELLON is the third of the Coast Guard's Hamilton class High Endurance Cutters. MELLON was commissioned in 1968 at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans. MELLON was named after Andrew W. Mellon, the 49th Secretary of the Treasury, who served during the administration of President Herbert Hoover, from 1921-1932. Her first homeport for many years was Honolulu, Hawaii, but in the early 90's MELLON transferred to Seattle, Washington. (USCG photo by PA1 Keith Alholm)

USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)

USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726) on anti-terrorism patrol in Elliott Bay, near the Space Needle, and the Seattle, Washington Skyline. (Photo by Scott Dittberner)

USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)

History of the USCGC Midgett VESSEL HISTORY USCGC MIDGETT is the twelfth and last of the Coast Guard's fleet of 378 foot High Endurance Cutters. She is the third in her class (HERO) to be named for outstanding Coast Guardsmen. Her namesake, the late Chief Boatswain John Allen MIDGETT, Jr. was born in 1876 in Rodanthe, North Carolina and served for nearly forty years with the U.S. Lifesaving Service and the Coast Guard. (U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO)

USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)

-History of the USCGC Midgett VESSEL HISTORY USCGC MIDGETT is the twelfth and last of the Coast Guard's fleet of 378 foot High Endurance Cutters. She is the third in her class (HERO) to be named for outstanding Coast Guardsmen. Her namesake, the late Chief Boatswain John Allen MIDGETT, Jr. was born in 1876 in Rodanthe, North Carolina and served for nearly forty years with the U.S. Lifesaving Service and the Coast Guard. (U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO)

USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)

USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726) on anti-terrorism patrol in Elliott Bay, framed by the Space Needle, and the Seattle, Washington Skyline. (Photo by Scott Dittberner, USCGAUX)

USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751)

The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche transits toward its new homeport at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Feb. 28, 2010. The Waesche is the second of eight scheduled national security cutters. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Levi Read)

USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751)

The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche transits through San Francisco Bay toward its new homeport at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Feb. 28, 2010. The Waesche is the second of eight planned national security cutters. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Levi Read)

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750)

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Bertholf, based in Alameda, Calif., maneuvers through Elliot Bay to the Port of Seattle to participate in the 60th annual Seattle Seafair. Fleet Week activities afford the opportunity for U.S. and Canadian Sailors and Coast Guard personnel to experience what the local community has to offer as well as promote awareness of the maritime forces through tours and presentations.

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750)

The crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf prepares to navigate through the Gastineau Channel prior to mooring in Juneau April 10, 2011. The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf is beginning the cutter’s second patrol and first patrol in Alaskan waters. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Shinn)

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750)

The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf navigates through Southeast Alaska during its first Alaskan patrol April 12, 2011. The Bertholf is the Coast Guard's first National Security cutter and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and capabilities demanded by operational forces to meet the full spectrum of 21st century maritime homeland security, maritime safety, law enforcement and maritime national defense mission requirements. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Shinn)

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750)

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf pulls back into its homeport, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda after a 90-day Eastern Pacific patrol. During the patrol, the crew of the Bertholf intercepted 12,400 kilos of cocaine valued at nearly $400 million. The Bertholf's return to homeport reunited the crew with their families and loved ones in time for the holidays. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Critchfield)

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750)

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf and the Russian Federal Security Service frigate Vorovsky sail west for a joint effort April 21, 2011. The crews of the two ships are participating in a cultural exchange sharing training and best practices for several types of missions. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis)