The Southwest District encompasses the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, the coastal and offshore waters out over thousand miles and the offshore waters of Mexico and Central America down to South America. Coast Guard operational units are located throughout the state of California, with the District and Pacific Area headquarters located on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California along the east side of San Francisco Bay.
The Coast Guard’s presence on the west coast dates back to 1848, when the Revenue Cutter LAWRENCE was dispatched to San Francisco to maintain maritime order during the chaotic days of the California Gold Rush. Growing from that one ship, the Eleventh District now includes 43 units and it employs over 2,400 active duty, reserve, and civilian employees. These resources carry out Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Marine Safety, and Aids to Navigation missions over 3.3 million square miles of water. In addition, over 3100 volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary members assist in many Coast Guard mission areas, including Boating Safety and Search and Rescue.
Each year, the Eleventh Coast Guard District units respond to thousands of Search and Rescue cases, saving hundreds of lives, and millions of dollars in property. Additionally, Coast Guard and US Navy assets under the tactical control of the District interdict illegal drugs and migrants that are attempted to be smuggled into the country through the maritime environment.
Since September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard has assumed a dynamic role in protecting the District’s major ports, which include six Tier one ports: San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Francisco, Oakland, and Richmond. The Coast Guard’s presence in the District continues to expand, as more people, new equipment, and state of the art technology are employed to meet the needs of the United States as it enters the 21st century.
Vision: Deliver exceptional mission performance and support of our personnel through bold, compassionate leadership, innovation, partnerships and professionalism.