An aerial view of ongoing construction at Coast Guard Base Charleston, where the Coast Guard recently awarded a $230 million contract for new operational support facilities as part of a multi-year infrastructure expansion plan. Recent projects include construction of a 90,000-square-foot engineering complex, a 120,000-square-foot multifunctional building, a new parking structure, recapitalization of Pier Mike, and a new medical and dental facility. These efforts are part of more than $440 million in upgrades to transform Base Charleston into a premier East Coast operational base. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Immediately below is a quote from the Base’s web site. In addition to James and Hamilton, National Security Cutters USCGC Stone and Calhoun, not listed, are also based there for a total of four.
Base Charleston was established on October 19th 2015. Base is comprised of two campuses, one in downtown Charleston and one at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in North Charleston, South Carolina. There are 07 Officers, 111 Enlisted, 35 Reservists and 22 Civilians for a total of 175 personnel. Base manages 21.5 acres of property with 214,841 square feet of facilities, and 2 major and 2 floating piers. Base Charleston serves as a mission support touch-point for Coast Guard operations within the northern 7th Coast Guard District, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with operational partners to ensure the delivery of professional, responsive and cost-effective services to the American public. Our large area of responsibility spans from the North Carolina/South Carolina border down to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Base Charleston is home to a variety of tenant commands.
Maritime Law Enforcement Academy
Southeast Regional Fisheries Training Center
FASSO detachment
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a $230 million design-build contract for new operational support facilities at Coast Guard Base Charleston, South Carolina, marking the latest phase of a comprehensive, multi-year infrastructure expansion plan at the base.
On June 16, 2026, the Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center awarded the project to Brasfield and Gorrie LLC, from Birmingham, Alabama. The project, expected to be completed in 2030, includes:
- Construction of a 90,000-square-foot engineering complex, including spaces to accommodate facilities engineering and naval engineering units, electronics support, industrial production, boat storage, shipping and receiving, and hazardous materials storage.
- Construction of a 120,000-square-foot multifunctional building to support a 75-room unaccompanied personnel housing structure, a galley large enough to serve 650 patrons, a fitness center, and an exchange.
- Construction of a parking structure to support personnel working on vessels homeported at Base Charleston.
This work follows the award of two additional contracts earlier this year allowing for recapitalization of Base Charleston’s Pier Mike, and construction of a new medical and dental facility, among other improvements. Together, the three contracts combine for more than $440 million in Base Charleston upgrades that will transform Charleston into a premier East Coast operational base – a modern, resilient installation that supports the Service’s next generation of cutters, strengthens readiness and improves quality of life for the workforce.
“The strategic expansion of Base Charleston is vital to our maritime operations and national security,” said Vice Adm. Jo-Ann F. Burdian, commander, Atlantic Area. “This investment not only supports homeporting of our newest cutters, it ensures our dedicated service members have the modern infrastructure, healthcare, and support facilities they deserve to maintain peak mission readiness.”
The Coast Guard awarded all three contracts under a Department of Homeland Security strategic sourcing vehicle called the National Multiple Award Construction Contract III. Each effort is supported in part by the historic $25 billion investment in the Coast Guard made through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Using this $25 billion investment, the largest capital investment in the Service’s history, the Coast Guard already ordered over $10 billion in new assets and capabilities and put an additional $3 billion towards critical depot maintenance and shore facilities. This rapid investment demonstrates the Coast Guard’s commitment to modernizing acquisition, delivering next-generation technology, restoring readiness, and revitalizing shore infrastructure.
Future phases of the Base Charleston expansion will deliver even greater mission capability and support for Coast Guard personnel in the region.
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