# United States Coast Guard **Aliases:** USCG; Coast Guard **Entity class:** Armed service and maritime law-enforcement organization ## Definition The **United States Coast Guard** is an armed service with maritime safety, security, environmental, law-enforcement, and defense missions. It normally operates within the Department of Homeland Security and can operate as a service in the Navy when directed by law. ## Relationships - **major operational partner:** [[wiki/Joint Interagency Task Force South|JIATF-S]]. - **department:** [[wiki/United States Department of Homeland Security|DHS]]. - **missions:** maritime interdiction, border security, counterdrug, and homeland security. ## Sources / Provenance - [U.S. Coast Guard — Missions](https://www.uscg.mil/About/Missions/)