Today marks the 225th anniversary of the creation of the US Coast Guard.
One of the five service branches in the US military, the Coast Guard is responsible for maritime rescue, drug interdiction, smuggling prevention, and humanitarian aid distribution. Tracing its history to August 4, 1790, the Coast Guard now operates throughout US internal waterways, the coasts, and even distant international waters.
In honor of the Coast Guard's 225 years of service, we have collected some of the most amazing images of them in a range of missions.
The Coast Guard in Alaska operates in some of the most isolated parts of the US. Here, a Coast Guard vessel gets underway during a winter Bering Sea patrol.
The Alaskan wilderness offers thousands of square miles of unspoiled natural beauty. Here, a Coast Guard ship makes port call at Kodiak.
Before taking part in operations, Coast Guard service members must receive substantial training, including in how to rescue people from icy waters.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider