Coast Guard District Nine renamed to Great Lakes District

UNITED STATES

07.03.2025

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mary Wysong 

U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its
operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under
Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard
District Nine will now be known as Great Lakes District.

This strategic change, directed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on May
21, 2025, aims to indicate more accurately the regions they serve and represent.
Renaming operational districts revises a numbered system established during World
War II, when the Coast Guard operated as part of the Navy to ensure alignment
between the services. In the 80 years since the Coast Guard separated from the Navy,
the Service has maintained the numbered districts. However, the Navy stopped using
numbered districts over 25 years ago. Updating operational districts to regional names
will more clearly align districts with their areas of responsibility, facilitate collaboration
with interagency partners, and ensure the American public and maritime stakeholders
can easily find and understand the districts in which they live, recreate, and operate.

This change is a direct action within FD2028’s Organization campaign, which focuses
on adapting the Coast Guard’s structure to remain effective and responsive.
The new geographic names, approved by the Department of Homeland Security, are as
follows:

District 1: USCG Northeast District
District 5: USCG East District
District 7: USCG Southeast District
District 8: USCG Heartland District
District 9: USCG Great Lakes District
District 11: USCG Southwest District
District 13: USCG Northwest District
District 14: USCG Oceania District
District 17: USCG Arctic District

“This renaming is more than just a change in labels; it’s a critical step in our journey to
become a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force,” said Acting Commandant
Kevin E. Lunday. “Under Force Design 2028, we are driving fundamental changes to
speed decision-making, improve strategic alignment, and ultimately best serve the
American people for decades to come. This initiative underscores our commitment to
ensuring that change is lasting and has an enduring impact on the Service and the
Nation, as directed by the President and the Secretary.”

This change will not impact operations or change existing geographical district
boundaries in the Ninth District. To memorialize the updated names for operational
districts, the Coast Guard is undertaking the process of formally changing district names
in the Code of Federal Regulations. Through this process, the Coast Guard will continue
to communicate with stakeholders and provide updated resources and information as
appropriate.

For more information, please visit our website, or contact Lt. Phillip Gurtler, Great Lakes
District Public Affairs Officer, at 216-556-2888 or via email at [e-mail].

Read more about the Coast Guard’s transformation through Force Design 2028 here:
USCG Force Design 2028

-USCG-

• Date Taken: 07.03.2025
• Date Posted: 07.03.2025 17:16
• Story ID: 516988
• Location: US