375th AMW leadership visits local USCG Base

Published May 2, 2025
By Senior Airman De'Quan Simmons
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SAINT LOUS, Mo. --

U.S. Air Force Col. John Poole, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Andrews, 375th AMW command chief, visited key operational sections at U.S. Coast Guard Base Detachment St. Louis during a recent tour designed to strengthen joint-service understanding.

The tour began with stops at the Industrial Production Detachment and Maintenance Augmentation Team—both responsible for manufacturing, refurbishing, and repairing buoys used to keep the Mississippi River safe and navigable. These crews support inland maritime safety, ensuring waterways remain clear for commercial and military traffic. They also visited the Electronic Support Detachment, where personnel are tasked with maintaining essential navigation and communication systems that power Coast Guard operations across the region.

The visit wrapped up aboard the USCGC Cheyenne, a river buoy tender that patrols and maintains navigational aids along the Mississippi River. The crew aboard the Cheyenne helps guarantee safe passage through one of the nation’s most important inland waterways—a mission that directly supports national commerce and defense readiness.

The visit provided valuable insight into the Coast Guard’s support of safe navigation along one of the nation’s busiest inland waterways. It also highlights the importance of continued collaboration between military branches to enhance operational effectiveness.

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