U.S. Coast Guard Selects Birmingham-Southern College Campus for New Training Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) today joined U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday in announcing the USCG’s selection of the former Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) campus for its new training center.
Last November, the USCG announced a Request for Information and market research to identify a potential new training center location following record-breaking recruiting numbers. The USCG and DHS outlined several key requirements for the new facility, criteria that the BSC campus, which closed in May of 2024, not only meets but exceeds.
“Today’s announcement is further proof that this is the most exciting time to join the Coast Guard in 235 years,” said Secretary Noem. “Thanks to President Trump’s visionary leadership and historic investment in the Coast Guard, the Service is shattering records across the board — including in recruitment. Last year’s recruitment exceeded 110% of active-duty enlisted goals, and the Coast Guard is on track to add 15,000 new members by 2028. This next generation of heroes deserves training centers and support facilities worthy of their mission, and that is exactly what they are going to have in Alabama.”
“This is a huge day for Birmingham, our great state, and the U.S. Coast Guard. I have long been dedicated to strengthening Alabama’s military installations and the warfighters they serve. This exciting announcement further positions Alabama as a national leader in supporting our incredible U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement personnel. I am deeply proud to have advocated directly to Secretary Noem for a new training center in Birmingham to support our outstanding Coast Guard personnel, especially as the USCG continues to recruit servicemembers to combat 21st century threats. Alabama stands as a proud leader in military excellence, and we’re honored to host this new training center that will help mold the next generation of Coast Guard members. As chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue fighting to give the Coast Guard the resources and tools needed to fulfill its critical mission and keep Americans safe,” said Senator Britt. “Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Admiral Lunday for making a tremendous decision that will strengthen our homeland security long into the future.”
“I’m thrilled that President Trump and Secretary Noem have selected Birmingham Southern as the new land-based training facility for the United States Coast Guard. This move will save the American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Alabama and the Coast Guard are a natural partnership. Alabama is already home to every branch of the military and we have the infrastructure, resources, and personnel ready to make sure our United States Coast Guard continues to be elite,” said Senator Tuberville.
“As a proud alumnus of Birmingham-Southern, it is important to me that this campus continues to serve those seeking to learn and improve their lives. I’m confident the United States Coast Guard will do exactly that. I want to thank Senator Britt for her partnership as we worked together to encourage the Coast Guard and the White House to ensure this campus remains an important footprint in Alabama,” said Representative Aderholt.
“We must invest in our most valuable treasure—our people—to meet the increasingly complex maritime security challenges facing the Nation,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, commandant. “The acquisition of the historic Birmingham-Southern College as our new training center is a critical step in our Force Design 2028 strategy, providing the right facilities necessary to grow our service and ensure the Coast Guard stands always ready.”
Alabama is not only the home of USCG Sector Mobile and the USCG Aviation Training Center, but the state also hosts several premier military installations that are critical to supporting the U.S. Armed Forces. This includes Redstone Arsenal, a Federal Center of Excellence, in Huntsville, Army Aviation at Fort Rucker in the Alabama Wiregrass, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, and a major U.S. Army center at Anniston Army Depot.
Alabama is also the proud home to more than 26,000 servicemembers and their families and ranks among the top states in the nation for its number of civilian veterans.
Senator Britt is chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds DHS and USCG.
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