Air Station Cape Cod Mission Statement
Our mission is to protect life, property and the marine environment in service to the public and our country. We pledge to optimize the use of personnel, resources and technology in support of the Coast Guard's five fundamental roles: Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, Maritime Mobility, National Defense and Protection of Natural Resources.
We strive for excellence in serving New England military personnel with the finest in community service and quality of life support.
Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue (SAR) is one of the Coast Guard's oldest missions. Minimizing the loss of life, injury, property damage or loss by rendering aid to persons in distress and property in the maritime environment has always been a Coast Guard priority. Coast Guard SAR response involves multi-mission stations, cutters, aircraft and boats linked by communications networks. The National SAR Plan divides the U.S. area of SAR responsibility into internationally recognized inland and maritime SAR regions. The Coast Guard is the Maritime SAR Coordinator. To meet this responsibility, Air Station Cape Cod maintains a constant alert with both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The Coast Guard is recognized worldwide as a leader in the field of search and rescue.
Aids to Navigation
The waters of the United States and its territories are marked to assist navigation by the U.S. Aids to Navigation System. These aids may be anything from lighted structures, beacons, day markers, range lights, fog signals and landmarks to floating buoys. Aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod provide logistical support to Coast Guard ATON teams by carrying cargo, supplies and personnel to and from the thousands of sites maintained along the coast of New England.
Protection of Living Marine Resources
We protect against illegal fishing and indiscriminate destruction of living marine resources and respond to oil and hazardous material spills--both accidental and intentional. We patrol the fishing grounds and enforce regulation and law regarding closed areas, vessel permits and oversee the local fishing industry.
Homeland Security
We protect our ports, the flow of commerce, and the marine transportation system from terrorism. Maintain maritime boarder security against illegal drugs, illegal aliens, firearms, and weapons of mass destruction. We ensure that we can rapidly deploy and resupply our military assets, both by keeping Coast Guard units at a high state of readiness, and by keeping marine transportation open for the transit assets and personnel from other branches of the armed forces.