Officials Designate San Diego a
Coast Guard City
strengthen that bond,” explained Kevin Faulconer,
mayor of San Diego. “It’s all about partnerships.
That’s what we’re proud of in San Diego: we work
together. With this designation we now have the
opportunity to shine a light on the hardworking men
and women who have dedicated their lives to making
a career and serving our country in the United States
Coast Guard.”
USCG Photo
Kevin Faulconer, mayor of San Diego presents Adm. Paul Zukunft,
commandant, U.S. Coast Guard with the key to the city of San
Diego during a ceremony designating San Diego a Coast Guard
city Feb. 23, 2017.
As the sun rises over San Diego, the usually busy
helicopter ramp at Coast Guard Sector San Diego is
abuzz with a palpably different excitement. Instead
of Jayhawks preparing to launch, crews are busy
preparing the area for an event that’s been more
than a year in the making.
On Feb. 23, 2017, the city of San Diego was officially
designated as the 21st Coast Guard City in the
nation during a ceremony at Sector San Diego. This
designation also makes San Diego the largest Coast
Guard City.
Since the opening of the first Point Loma Lighthouse
in 1855, San Diego would have deep ties to the Coast
Guard and the military. According to Faulconer,
approximately one in seven people in San Diego
have a connection to the military, including the Coast
Guard.
“San Diego’s deep roots with the military have
established this city,” noted Jerry Sanders, president
and chief executive officer of the San Diego Regional
Chamber of Commerce. “They have also established
our businesses and our communities.”
In addition to the commerce generated by the
military members who live in San Diego, the Coast
Guard’s role in the region is particularly important as
the commander of Sector San Diego also serves as
captain of the port.
“In San Diego our ports and our border are economic
engines for our region and the Coast Guard helps
us ensure that both run smoothly,” said Rep. Scott
Peters, 52nd District of California.
“Make no mistake our partnership with this
community has been an enduring one, and it will
endure for centuries to come,” said Adm. Paul
Zukunft, commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, during the
ceremony.
The Coast Guard’s mission inherently creates a
need for understanding and the formation of a
bond between the local units and the community.
The designation bestowed by the commandant,
with approval from Congress, signifies San Diego’s
exceptional ability to build that bond.
“We pursued this Coast Guard City designation to
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