Coast Guard City - Clearwater
In 2012, the city of Clearwater had the honor of becoming a U.S. Coast Guard City. As of 2023, only 21 cities in the United States hold this distinction.
Clearwater is home to U.S. Coast Guard Station Sand Key as well as Air Station Clearwater, which is the largest and busiest U.S. Coast Guard air station in the country. Clearwater is also home to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1. The flotilla supports U.S. Coast Guard Station Sand Key, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, providing direct assistance, resources and assets for search and rescue missions, and recreational boating safety and environmental protection efforts.
A celebration on January 27, 2012 in downtown Clearwater, brought former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp, federal, state and local dignitaries, and hundreds of guests, who witnessed the reading of a proclamation designating Clearwater a Coast Guard City.
“I am absolutely delighted to see Clearwater named a Coast Guard City. Clearwater has a real sense of community. It is not just the climate that is warm, it is the citizens. When our men and women return to Clearwater, it’s not just a welcome home, but a welcome home to a Coast Guard City,” Admiral Papp said at the time.
The historic ceremony marked the beginning of a long relationship between the city and U.S. Coast Guard that continues to thrive to this day, most recently with Clearwater Mayor Brian J. Aungst, Sr., City Manager Jennifer Poirrier and Assistant City Manager Michael Delk touring the Clearwater Coast Guard Air Station with Air Base Commander Captain Scott Phy and Executive Officer Brett Walter this April.
In June, Mayor Aungst, City Manager Poirrier and Clearwater City Councilmembers also attended the Changing of the Guard ceremony honoring outgoing Master Chief Timothy Abrams and the incoming Senior Chief Sean Crocker, who will act as the new station chief at Station Sand Key.
Coast Guard Appreciation Month Proclamation - Aug. 3, 2023
Changing of the Guard, June 2023 - Photo Gallery