U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River

02/20/2026

Last month, .S.CoastGuard Sector Lower Mississippi River and Marine Safety Unit Vicksburg conducted Short Range Unmanned Aircraft System operations during a recent incident along the Mississippi River.

Sector Lower Mississippi River has expanded the usage of their Drone Program both for Coast Guard and joint agency missions. The SLMR Drone Program utilizes new ways to effectively respond to Coast Guard search and rescue cases, as well as pollution responses.

.S. Coast Guard .S. Coast Guard Heartland U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard USCG Auxiliary, Heartland District, Flotilla 15-07 Hot Springs, AR

Image 1
Two virtual observers from Marine Safety Unit Vicksburg (MSTC Aziz Ali and MST2 Derek Manske) join LT John Krueger (center), a remote pilot from Sector Lower Mississippi River. LT Krueger is seen using a Short Range Unmanned Aircraft System (SR-UAS), the Skydio X10, for aerial surveillance along the banks of the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, MS.
(Left to Right) MSTC Aziz Ali, LT John Krueger, and MST2 Derek Manske.

Image 2
MSTC Aziz Ali from MSU Vicksburg conducts a shoreline sweep using SR-UAS technology along the Mississippi River.

Image 3
LT Krueger conducts a launch of a SR-UAS drone utilizing thermal imagery along the banks of the Mississippi River.

Image 4
MSTC Aziz Ali from MSU Vicksburg conducts an aerial observation of a SR-UAS drone for data collection.

08/25/2025

Kudos to our very own MST3 Hayden Farrugia for this interview and work with the UAS program! Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Heartland District-Western Rivers Coast Guard Auxiliary Memphis Flotilla 085-15-3 Navy League Memphis

08/21/2025

This week, SLMR had the pleasure of being visited by Admiral Watson and Masterchief Koch! Numerous awards, recognition, and a new insignia device, were all presented at this weeks all hands. US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Heartland District-Western Rivers U.S. Coast Guard Office of Emergency Management & Disaster Response U.S. Coast Guard Reserve U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

07/31/2025

🚨 NOTICE TO UPDATE 🚨

The Western Rivers Conmand Center has a NEW phone number!

📞 1-866-360-3386 📞

Please update your contacts and spread the word! This number is your direct line to report emergencies, marine incidents, pollution, and other urgent matters on our nation’s inland waterways.

Available 24/7/365 - because safety on our rivers never stops.

Save this number. Share this post. Keep our waterways safe!

07/23/2025

On 22Jul25 at 7:37pm, the Western Rivers Command Center received notification from Memphis Police Department that three males had fallen into the water at Mile Marker 751, in the Lower Mississippi River. Sector Lower Mississippi River is assisting the Memphis police Department in searching for the three individuals, while Memphis Police Department is lead and acting as Search & Rescue Mission Coordinator. SLMR deployed a two-person Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team to assist. They have searched from approximately 9:45pm - midnight on July 22nd, along side rescuers from Wildlife Resources, completing three sorties before securing for the night. A three person USCG UAS team returned with Wildlife Resource rescuers at approximately 8:30am this morning to commence searching. The WRCC is actively broadcasted urgent maritime information broadcast’s in order to inform nearby mariners of the three persons in the water and instructing them to report any unusual observations. Unfortunately, the PIW’s were located by Shelby County but found deceased.

02/27/2025

01/20/2025

"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader in the Civil Rights movement who championed equality, justice, and nonviolence. His enduring message inspires us to make a difference through service.

Let’s commit to a “Day On, Not a Day Off.”

01/08/2025

Congratulations to YN3 Pravata for her good conduct and EM1 Gracia for being advanced to Chief! Job well done!

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Eighth Coast Guard District Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard United States Coast Auxiliary Memphis 15-03

01/01/2025

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Central Arkansas Flotilla 15-8 United States Coast Auxiliary Memphis 15-03

12/18/2024

This week members of SLMR spent the past couple of days helping the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, spending more than 30 hours of packing over 300 bags of toys!

The Marine Toys for Tots foundation spends all year taking donations to provide books, toys, and emotional support for disadvantaged children.

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Eighth Coast Guard District Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

12/16/2024

Yesterday the reservists, active duty, and auxiliarists participated in the annual Wreaths Across America, where two million volunteers and supporters gathered and placed wreaths at the tombstones of the fallen. It’s an opportunity to remember and honor the fallen soldiers and sacrifices given by those defending this great country. The ceremony is held at more than 4,600 locations in all 50 states, sea, and abroad.

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Eighth Coast Guard District United States Coast Auxiliary Memphis 15-03 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Central Arkansas Flotilla 15-8 Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard