07/28/2026
US Coast Guard Sector Field Office Eastern Shore in Chincoteague, Virginia held its annual open house on Tuesday, 28 July, a day in advance of the 101st Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. Personnel from SFO, which is under command of US Coast Guard Sector Virginia were joined by Station Chincoteague, Aids to Navigation Team Chincoteague, USCG Communications Command, Recruiting Office Chesapeake, and numerous USCG Auxiliary partners. This Open House provided community outreach and education about Coast Guard missions, partnerships, and boating safety. The Chincoteague community has a rich history with the US Coast Guard, dating back to our predecessors in the Life Saving Service and Light House Service. Prior to the construction of the current Sector Field Office and Station Chincoteague, the Assateague Beach Life Saving Station served Eastern Shore mariners from 1875 until 1967. Prior even to that, the Assateague Lighthouse – whose optic is still maintained by the Coast Guard – was constructed in 1867 and continues to be an operational aid to navigation today.