Coast Guard celebrates 222 years of service Published Aug. 3, 2012 By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The U.S. Coast Guard, which celebrates its 222nd year August 4, began its service as the Revenue Cutter Service Aug. 4, 1790, when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act. This act authorized the construction of 10 ships, known as "cutters," designed to enforce tariffs and trade laws and prevent smuggling along coasts and U.S. waterways. The word "revenue" in the service's name is derived from the organizations affiliation to the Treasury Department. The RCS spent more than 100 years as a service before evolving to incorporate more robust responsibilities . Congress combined the RCS with the U.S. Life-Saving Service through an act in 1915 to create a single entity with the common purpose of saving lives and upholding laws. This single entity was named the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard's maritime responsibilities increased when they took over the Lighthouse Service in 1939. Responsibilities increased further still in 1946 when Congress transferred the Commerce Department's Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the Coast Guard, placing both the merchant marines and merchant vessel licensing and safety, under its purview. The Coast Guard is the oldest continuous sea service in the country, predating the Navy by eight years. It has provided support for every major national conflict and participated in a number of different humanitarian efforts. The service has been involved in conducting rescues in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and provided assistance in the cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico following the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in 2010. The Atlantic Strike Team, headquartered on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, responded to both support activities. Throughout 2011 and 2012 the AST provided support to national events, such as the Tropical Lee and Hurricane Irene floods, and more local events such as the sunken Sterling Equipment Barge SEI-34 in Narragansett Bay, R.I. The AST currently has members deployed to Puerto Rico assisting in response efforts for a grounded Motor Vessel Jireh. They are removing oil and other hazardous materials from the vessel while also working to determine the final disposition of the vessel. The AST will celebrate the Coast Guard's birthday by hosting a casual BBQ Aug. 5 for members and their families at the Coast Guard station here. "We're not a big unit so we're just going to have a casual get-together," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Studder, an engineering officer originally from Plymouth, Ohio. "The focus is on the families and making sure they are involved." The event will include various activities including bounce houses, slip and slides and other attractions. The event is paid for and sponsored by the members of the AST "who all chip in," said Studder. Coast Guard birthday events are scheduled throughout the country. One of the largest is the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich. This 10-day event, held annually since 1924, goes from July 27 to August 5 and honors the Coast Guard with parades, boat tours, a carnival and fireworks. For more information about this event go to www.coastguardfest.org/. "I am continually impressed by the caliber and professionalism of our Coast Guardsman and I am proud to serve alongside them," said Cmdr. Eric J. Doucette, AST commanding officer. "For 222 years we have adapted to changing missions and responsibilities, but at the core of everything is honor, respect and devotion to duty. During our AST Coast Guard Day celebration, I hope that all of our USCG family, active duty, Reserves, civilians, retired and Auxiliary take a moment to reflect and honor those who have served before us and all that it means to be a Coast Guardsman." For more information on Coast Guard history please head to www.uscg.mil/history/.