Mission and History of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Introduction:
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is a volunteer service organization, civilian in nature, open to both men and women who are citizens of the United States, its territories and possessions, and who are age seventeen (17) or older. The purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard in any of its missions except where prohibited by statute, such as in direct law enforcement and military actions.
History of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary:
Congress established a "United States Coast Guard Reserve" in 1939 to be administered by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. It was comprised of unpaid, volunteer citizens of the United States who owned motor boats and yachts. They were to aid the Coast Guard in promoting small boat safety. Congressional action in 1941 created a military Reserve of the Coast Guard, and the original volunteer reserve was renamed the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
History of the United States Coast Guard:
The history of the Coast Guard is almost as old as that of the United States. On August 4, 1790, President George Washington signed a bill passed by Congress, authorizing the construction of ten boats; this was the beginning of the Coast Guard. First named the Revenue Marine, then changed to the Revenue Cutter Service, its mission was to guard the new country's coastline against smugglers.
On January 28, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson approved the act authorizing the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Lifesaving Service, which was a logical consolidation since both services had worked closely together within the Treasury Department for nearly a century. Their common aim had been to protect life and property from the ravages of the sea. The "new" service was named the United States Coast Guard.
As provided in the Congressional Act of January 28, 1915, amended, the Coast Guard is a military service at all times - a branch of the armed forces of the United States. Because of this status, in times of war or whenever so directed by the President, the Coast Guard operates as a separate service under the department of the Navy, at which time the Commandant reports to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.
On April 1, 1967, after nearly 177 years in the Treasury Department, the Coast Guard moved to the new Department of Transportation. When operating under the Department of Transportation, during times of peace, the Commandant, as Chief of the Service, is responsible to the Secretary, who, as a member of the President's cabinet, gives the Coast Guard top representation in the Executive Branch of the Government.
In November 2002, President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act that authorized the reorganization into one department of 22 domestic agencies, with the mission to protect the nation against threats to the homeland. The Coast Guard was included in this restructuring. The Coast Guard's mission includes Maritime Safety, National Defense, Maritime Security, Mobility and Protection of Natural Resources.
Operation Noble Eagle:
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2000, President George W. Bush initiated a Homeland Defense program known as Operation Noble Eagle. Coast Guard 11 South, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and members of Flotilla 15-07 jumped in with both feet since that first day. Today, members still continue their patrols of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in any weather, on any holiday.
Finally:
Members of your United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will continue to service the citizens of the United States, and support the United States Coast Guard through Public Education, Search and Rescue Missions and Operational Patrols for the Boating Community's safety.