January 17, 2015: US coastguard in Alaska
 

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An interesting series of pictures of the US Coastguard Patrolling and training in Alaska. I picked this image because one of these guys is my friend. Before you start feeling too sorry for him, his next training trip was in Florida.

http://cellar.org/2015/crewweapons.jpg
Yes, must train on crew weapons. Don't like it though, only play with these because it's required.
We'd really rather be swimming in 39 degree water,
but this might be needed some day. What's a fella to do. :lol2:

Every once it awhile I see pictures of Coast Guard training and of course the rescues. The coast guard isn't a military alternative, like the merchant marine. These guys have serious balls. Rolling boats over in big surf for practice... that's crazy. And of course when somebody gets their ass in a jam and calls the coast guard, it's rarely a calm, sunny afternoon in summer. Oh no, if it's not at night it's at least foggy, in a heavy downpour/blizzard, gale winds and big waves. It's risky business.

It is a tough career choice, but they are fairly well rewarded. And get cool toys to play with sometimes ;) Lots of relocation, though, just like the other armed forces. Lots of time away from home and families on some postings

I've got nothing but respect for the Coast Guard.