Greetings from: ISC Kodiak

For those who have never been to Alaska, getting orders to the Kodiak area may be met with apprehension. However, if you have any kind of love for the outdoors and fresh air, Alaska's "Emerald Isle" will win you over.

Situated on the southeast coast of Kodiak Island just seven miles from downtown Kodiak, Integrated Support Command Kodiak proudly supports over 1,000 Coast Guard personnel and civilians stationed on Kodiak, the Aleutian Island Chain and Northwestern Alaska.

The 21,000-acre facility is home to Air Station Kodiak, the North Pacific Fisheries Training Center, Loran Station Kodiak, Electronics Systems Unit Kodiak, a Coast Guard Investigative Services office, Communications Station Kodiak, a 17th District Public Affairs Detachment and a Naval Special Warfare Detachment. The ISC is also homeport to the CGC Spar, CGC Storis, and CGC Alex Haley.

As the largest U.S. Coast Guard base in the world, the ISC is committed to providing rock solid support. With its own utilities, infrastructure, housing, fire protection, police force, retail stores, health care, administrative services, recreational programs, fuel depot, mail, and other logistical support services, ISC Kodiak operates much like a self-sufficient small town. Its MWR office manages a fully-equipped gym and fitness center, swimming pool, golf course, athletic fields, boathouse, all hands club, bowling alley, theater, pizza parlor, auto hobby shop, community center, teen center, and guest quarters.

What Kodiak lacks in conveniences such as large shopping malls, it makes up in outdoor recreation. The island is home to three state parks, two state recreation areas, the Katmai National Park and Preserve, and the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge. The mild summer climate and long summer days provide for great opportunities to hunt, fish, bike, hike, kayak or just enjoy the outdoors, but watch out for the bears! The island also has several top-notch museums recounting the island's native, Russian, fishing and military history. And since we are only 200 miles from Anchorage by air, an escape to the mainland is only a short plane ride away.

The unique atmosphere of ISC Kodiak lends itself to a warm sense of community among personnel from the command, tenants, and the citizens of Kodiak.

Visit the ISC's Web site at:

http://www.uscg.mil/d17/TeamKodiakRelo/

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Housing

Government quarters are available for both married and single members. Members may instead live on the economy with the approval of the housing officer.

Education

The ISC has a full-service education center with a full-time civilian education service officer to assist with members' educational needs. Kodiak College, a two-year campus of the University of Alaska, is located about nine miles from the base, and some classes are held on base for the convenience of base personnel.

Facilities

ISC Kodiak has a first-class MWR program that manages a variety of recreational facilities; see below for more details.

There is also a commissary, chapel, exchange and child development center.

Weather

Kodiak's climate is surprisingly mild for the area and resembles that of the Pacific Northwest, which is due to the warm Japanese sea current. During summer months, temperatures are usually in the 50's, with winter temperatures between 14 and 46 degrees, and up to 78 inches of snow.

Story by Ensign Andrew Munoz, USCGR

COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Coast Guard
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group