The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government.  The Coast Guard is both a federal law enforcement agency and a military force, making the organization a protector of the U.S. in both peacetime and war.  

In times of peace, the Coast Guard enforces America’s laws at sea, protects the marine environment, guards the nation’s vast coastline and ports, and performs vital lifesaving missions.  It protects and defends more than 100,000 miles of coastline and inland waterways and safeguards an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompassing 4.5 million square miles, stretching from North of the Arctic Circle to south of the Equator, from Puerto Rice to Guam – the largest EEZ in the world.  

In times of war, or at the direction of the President, the Coast Guard serves under the Department of the Navy, defending the nation against terrorism and foreign threats.  The Coast Guard is the only military branch within the Department of Homeland Security.  

In addition to the roles stated, the organization is also a first responder and humanitarian service that provides aid to people in distress or impacted by natural and man-made disasters, both at sea or ashore.  The Coast Guard also has broad duties like maritime transportation, hazardous material shipping, bridge administration, oil spill response, pilotage, and vessel construction and operation.

Icebreakers: America's Way To The Frozen World, written by LeAnne Zolovich.