08/04/2026
In honor of the 236th birthday of the United States Coast Guard, here’s some of our favorite photos from the past year courtesy of the Department of War:
1) The Coast Guard Academy Class of 2026 throws their cadet combination covers into the air during a flyover at the 145th Commencement Exercise at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, May 20, 2026. The flyover featured various Coast Guard aircraft. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rajesh Harrilal)
2) U.S. Coast Guardsmen aboard USCGC Hollyhock (WLB 214) and Coast Guard Station Honolulu work to place a new buoy off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, for a buoy restoration project alongside divers from the Philippine Coast Guard and Republic of Korea Navy during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 26, July 9, 2026. Thirty nations, 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and more than 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mikaela McGee)
3) A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter hoists a rescue swimmer and simulated casualty from the aft deck of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Oscar Dyson (R-224) during a ship-to-shore medical evacuation exercise as part of ARCTIC EDGE 2026 (AE26) at Kodiak, Alaska, Feb. 24, 2026. AE26 is a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance Joint and Allied Force interoperability in the Arctic. (Defense Health Agency Photo by T. T. Parish/Released)
