Description
US Coast Guard Station Washington—known as “Guardians of the Nation’s Capital”—has one mission: to deter, detect, and defend against terrorism attacks against the national capital region. Until the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard did not have a significant presence in the nation’s capital; now they have.
The “Guardians” are outfitted with four 25-foot response boats, high-speed, twin-outboard pursuit vessels. Highly maneuverable shallow- draft craft, they are fitted with a nose machine gun. They are perfectly suited for the fast-paced, high-visibility action on the river waters surrounding the Capital. Their patrol area is a 40-nautical-mile portion of the Potomac River and a portion of the Anacostia River. The “Guardians of the Nation’s Capital” are a small but elite contingent of 30 active Coast Guard, 21 Reservists, and more than 100 auxiliary volunteers. Officially commissioned on September 23, 2003, US Coast Guard Station Washington became the newest station on the Coast Guard’s roster of small boat stations.
The “Guardians of the Nation’s Capital” challenge coin is bold and unique. Set over the Coast Guard crest is the outline of Washington, D.C., overlaid with the red, white and blue of the Stars and Stripes. The reverse has the official Coast Guard emblem.
Each coin measures 1 3/4 inch (44mm) in diameter.
