The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle sails into Boston Harbor during an America 250 Parade of Sail. Photo: Bethany Blankley / For The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Coast Guard celebrated its 236-year anniversary on Tuesday, after receiving record funding from Congress to expand modernization efforts.
As America 250 celebrations continue throughout the year, Americans celebrated the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army on June 14, followed by the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps’ same milestone on July 29. This fall, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps will celebrate their 251st anniversaries on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10, respectively.
The U.S. Coast Guard was founded on Aug. 4, 1790, after President George Washington signed the Tariff Act into law authorizing the construction of 10 vessels to enforce federal tariff and trade laws. It first operated as the Treasury Department’s U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and was renamed in 1915. It currently operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Through the “Big Beautiful Bill,” Congress and the Trump administration authorized the largest single funding commitment in Coast Guard history of nearly $25 billion.
The funding is enabling the Coast Guard to procure an estimated 17 new icebreakers, 21 new cutters, more than 40 helicopters and six C-130J aircraft. It’s also modernizing its shore infrastructure and maritime surveillance systems. During the Biden and Trump administrations, Coast Guard crew have expanded interdiction efforts, completed historic search and rescue operations and are involved in a range of other maritime security efforts, The Center Square reported.
“This once-in-a-generation commitment has helped revitalize American manufacturing and shipbuilding, create new jobs across the country, and modernize the Coast Guard into a more agile and responsive fighting force,” the U.S. House Republican Study Committee said in an emailed statement.
“From protecting commerce to defending our ports and waterways, the Coast Guard is essential to our national and economic security,” committee member U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-TN, said. The $25 billion investment will enable the Coast Guard “to fulfill its mission to protect our country from drug traffickers, terrorists, and other bad actors. With increased aggression from Russia and China in the Arctic, the Coast Guard’s mission is more important than ever. On this anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s founding, we thank every past and current Guardsmen for their service.”
In Galveston, Texas, manufacturing of new Arctic national security cutters is underway.
“The U.S. is an Arctic nation because of the state of Alaska … our first line of defense in the high north leading into the Arctic. While Galveston, Texas, may be thousands of miles from the Arctic Circle, let me be clear, the defense of our northern border and approaches in the Arctic Ocean begins with” Arctic security cutters being built in Texas, U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday said in June, The Center Square reported.
“This is a time of historic and strategic consequence for the nation, and the Coast Guard is in greater demand by the American people than ever before,” Lunday added.
The Coast Guard is also currently responding to potential national security threats posed by Chinese ships off the coast of Alaska, The Center Square reported.
During America 250 Sail250 celebrations from New Orleans to Boston, the Coast Guard also provided comprehensive security operations for more than 60 tall ships and military ships from 20 countries while also ensuring maritime commerce continued, The Center Square reported.
Every week Coast Guard cutters are involved in border security interdiction efforts. The latest involved apprehending nine illegal foreign nationals near San Diego.
On Tuesday, the Coast Guard announced its plans to open the first National Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut, next year on its 237th anniversary. Currently under construction along the Thames River waterfront, the 80,000-square-foot museum will feature five public decks, three exhibit floors, five thematic experience wings, a rotating gallery for special exhibitions, educational classrooms, event space and other features.
“The Coast Guard has always stood as a military service and a vital instrument of national power,” Lunday said. “This museum is a permanent tribute to the Long Blue Line—the generations of crews who have saved lives, defended our borders and maritime approaches, facilitated vital commerce, and responded to crises with little or no warning.”
In 2025, the Coast Guard covered 95,000 miles of coastline, saved more than $974 million in property and facilitated more than $5.4 trillion in commerce
They also stopped 231 narco-terrorists and interdicted more than 231 metric tons of drugs.
They also were involved in more than 6,700 search and rescue cases and saved more than 5,200 lives, according to the most recent Coast Guard data.
