- Update–the Coast Guard districts renaming is official as of October 2, 2025. For more detail, click HERE.
On July 3, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations.
Renaming operational districts revises a numbered system established during World War II, when the Coast Guard operated as part of the Navy to ensure alignment between the services. In the 80 years since the Coast Guard separated from the Navy, the Service has maintained the numbered districts. However, the Navy stopped using numbered districts over 25 years ago.
In its announcement, the Coast Guard explained that updating operational districts to regional names will more clearly align districts with their areas of responsibility, facilitate collaboration with interagency partners, and ensure the American public and maritime stakeholders can easily find and understand the districts in which they live, recreate, and operate.
The new geographic names, approved by the Department of Homeland Security, are as follows:
- District 1: USCG Northeast District
- Covers the northeastern United States, from the Canadian border to northern New Jersey and offshore.
- District 5: USCG East District
- Responsibilities include the Mid-Atlantic region, ensuring the safety and security of the oceans, coastal areas, and marine transportation system.
- District 7: USCG Southeast District
- Covers Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and other territories and nations.
- District 8: USCG Heartland District
- Focuses on the Gulf Coast and Western Rivers
- District 9: USCG Great Lakes District
- Operates within the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and surrounding areas.
- District 11: USCG Southwest District
- Located in California, with headquarters on Coast Guard Island in Alameda.
- District 13: USCG Northwest District
- Includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
- District 14: USCG Oceania District
- Covers Hawaii and the Pacific region.
- District 17: USCG Arctic District
- Focuses on Alaska and the Arctic region.
“This renaming is more than just a change in labels; it’s a critical step in our journey to become a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force,” said Acting Commandant Kevin E. Lunday. “Under Force Design 2028, we are driving fundamental changes to speed decision-making, improve strategic alignment, and ultimately best serve the American people for decades to come. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring that change is lasting and has an enduring impact on the Service and the Nation, as directed by the President and the Secretary.”
This change will not impact operations or change existing geographical district boundaries in the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District.
To memorialize the updated names for operational districts, the Coast Guard is undertaking the process of formally changing district names in the Code of Federal Regulations. Through this process, the Coast Guard will continue to communicate with stakeholders and provide updated resources and information as appropriate.
What is Force Design 2028?
The U.S. Coast Guard’s district name change is a direct action within the “Force Design 2028” organization campaign, which is focused on adapting the Coast Guard’s structure to remain effective and responsive. Force Design 2028, also known as FD28, is a U.S. Coast Guard initiative aimed at modernizing and improving the service’s readiness for future challenges. It’s a blueprint for change, focusing on becoming a more agile, capable, and responsive force. This involves upgrades to personnel, management, technology, and even the Coast Guard’s headquarters.
Read more about FD2028 HERE.
