US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. It operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and can be transferred to the Department of Defense during wartime. The Coast Guard’s missions include search and rescue operations, enforcing maritime law, preventing drug and human trafficking, maintaining navigational aids, and responding to environmental emergencies. Established in 1790, it plays a critical role in safeguarding the nation’s coastal and maritime interests. The Coast Guard also conducts icebreaking operations in polar regions, as well as aids in national defense and homeland security operations.