Coast Guard Foundation Alaska Awards Dinner Honors Kodiak-based Crew for Safety, Security, and Defense Operations

The Coast Guard Foundation's Alaska Awards Dinner brought together Alaska's top political representatives, administration leaders, maritime industry executives, and Coast Guard personnel on August 12, 2025, in Anchorage to honor the service's life-saving missions and raise critical funds for Coast Guard families.

Award-Winning Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley

A highlight of the evening was a special award presented to the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley. This prestigious honor recognized their exceptional service within the Coast Guard’s Arctic District, which oversees all missions and activities in Alaska. For a remarkable second consecutive year, the crew was awarded the Coast Guard's esteemed "Cutter of the Year" title for 2024. Their outstanding contributions included:

• Heroic Maritime Rescue Operations
• Vigilant Maritime Security and National Defense Actions
• Vital Fisheries Enforcement Patrols

Administration and Alaska Delegation Shows Strong Coast Guard Support

The event drew Alaska's entire congressional delegation including:

• U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
• U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan
• U.S. Congressman Nick Begich III

Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Delivers Keynote

DHS Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar was the evening’s keynote speaker. 

Coast Guard Commandant Highlights Foundation's Critical Role

Acting Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday highlighted Coast Guard operations and priorities and thanked the Foundation and supporters for their ongoing commitment to Coast Guard workforce support programs. “The compassion and the giving you provide, ensures that our Coast Guard men and women and families have the support to be ready that they are in  need,” said Lunday. “And then when a crisis comes, and they're in dire need of support, you are there. At their time of grief, at their time of tragedy, just like the Coast Guard saves lives, the Coast Guard Foundation saves lives.”

Record-Breaking Fundraising Success for Coast Guard Families

The Alaska Awards Dinner raised more than $320,000 for programs supporting Coast Guard members and their families, demonstrating strong community support for maritime safety operations.

Key Event Sponsors

The Coast Guard Foundation wishes to thank all those who supported the event including its top sponsors:

Lead Sponsor:

• JAG Alaska

Major Sponsors:

• Austal USA
• ConocoPhillips
• TOTE Group

The Coast Guard Foundation continues to support Coast Guard families and operations through fundraising events like the Alaska Awards Dinner, highlighting the critical maritime safety work performed in America's Last Frontier.

Title Image: The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC-39) enters Dutch Harbor while on patrol in the Gulf of Alaska. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Lt. j.g. John Walsh)
Disclaimer: AI was used to organize Coast Guard Foundation information for this story.