WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will continue its tradition of “always ready” with the renaming of operational districts.

The shift eliminates numerical designations and shifts to geographic designations; Michigan moved from District Nine to the newly minted USCG Great Lakes District. The change aims to indicate more accurately the regions they serve and represent.

MORE NEWS: Genesee County GHOST Team Keeps Haunting Human Traffickers with More Arrests

The strategic change took place under the direction of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on May 21, 2025.

“This renaming is more than just a change in labels; it’s a critical step in our journey to become a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force,” said Acting Commandant Kevin E. Lunday. “Under Force Design 2028, we are driving fundamental changes to speed decision-making, improve strategic alignment, and ultimately best serve the American people for decades to come. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring that change is lasting and has an enduring impact on the Service and the Nation.”

According to a USCG press release, renaming operational districts revises a numbered system established during World War II.