Homer is a Proud Coast Guard City

On May 22, 2023, the City of Homer was named an official Coast Guard City in Alaska, as approved by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Congress.

The City of Homer is honored to have earned the “Coast Guard City” designation, which acknowledges and celebrates the positive relationship the Homer community and the US Coast Guard have shared for more than 50 years. This prestigious distinction is indicative of the long, productive, and mutually supportive relationship between the Homer community and the Homer-based Coast Guard units USCGC Naushon, USCGC Aspen, and Marine Safety Detachment-Homer.

The Coast Guard City program was enacted by Congress in 1998 to recognize communities that provide outstanding support to their local Coast Guard service members and their families. Homer joins thirty other Coast Guard cities nationwide and is the 6^th city in Alaska to have obtained this designation.  

A Legacy of Mutual Support and Partnership

The shared history of Homer and the U.S. Coast Guard began in 1969 when the USCG Ironwood was assigned to Homer, shortly after the City was incorporated in 1964. Since then, as each ship and Marine Safety Detachment fulfilled the Coast Guard District 17's mission, the men and women serving in Homer have been important and integral to the Homer community. 

US Coast Guard presence enriches every aspect of life in Homer.  Professional services provided by the USCG are valued as they support Homer’s strong maritime economy. USCG personnel help save lives through year-round search and rescue missions, protect Alaska’s productive marine environment through regulatory enforcement and pollution response, promote the safety of the local fleet through vessel inspections, certifications, and educational outreach, and by keeping the region’s navigational aids functioning properly.

The City of Homer rolls out the welcome mat to help U.S. Coast Guard families feel at home in their new home-away-from-home and strong community bonds are formed throughout a Homer tour of duty:  

U.S. Coast Guard personnel enjoy complimentary participation in many City of Homer Community Recreation activities and may reserve exclusive access to gym facilities at specified times for training purposes and for private use to expand morale through sports activities.

The Homer community and the USCG service members share regularly in celebrations, traditions, and Coast Guard appreciation events including:

• Homer's annual 4^th of July and Winter Carnival parades; 
• USCG Change of Command Ceremonies; 
• Appreciation events and holiday meals; and
• Welcome baskets from the Homer Chamber of Commerce to new USCG families stationed in Homer.

Shared community service in support of those in need and mutual support during times of hardship and crisis:

Transforming the then-Homer-based cutter Hickory into a haunted “house”, USCG personnel delivered Halloween fright and collected canned goods and donations from the community to support the Homer Community Food Pantry and other area service organizations like the Cook Inlet Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. 

The USCG’s "Put Another Log on the Fire' initiative split and sold firewood to benefit Homer's Share the Spirit holiday program which provides food and gifts to families in need.  The success of the initiative attracted participation from Homer-area businesses who made additional donations to the Share the Spirit program.

The USCG helped out with the funding for the Pioneer Dock and over the years the City has assisted with improvements that the Coast Guard has made to the dock. The City is working with the USCG to identify needs and include secure berths for Coast Guard assets in the design of a new harbor basin currently under investigation.

The City of Homer and USCG provide mutual aid during emergency events: 

The USCGC Roanoke helped evacuate tourists and provided emergency personnel after the 1998 explosion and fire at Icicle Seafoods on the Homer Spit; the Homer Volunteer Fire Department provides aid during watercraft incidents; community-wide store discounts and solidarity helped furloughed Coast Guard families weather the uncertainties of the prolonged Federal government shutdown in early 2019.

The friendships formed and values shared bring many retired Coast Guard members back to Homer after their years of service. Many of these individuals continue their service to the community and assist with the USCG's mission through Homer’s active Coast Guard auxiliary program.

Homer is fortunate to have the USCG as part of our community.  Together we are a stronger, safer, and more vibrant community.  Thank you!