Photos: How the Coast Guard responds in Alaska

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The U.S.C.G. Cutter Healy and tanker vessel Renda emerge from a fog bank near the community of Nome on Friday, January 13.

The U.S. Coast Guard is a lifeline for fishermen, villagers and many other Alaskans. Coast Guard District 17, based out of Kodiak, runs numerous missions in a multitude of environments.

Whether it's conducting search and rescue operations or enforcing the law in U.S. waters, the Coast Guard is an important part of offshore Alaska operations -- so much so that they've been the subject of their own reality TV program, "Coast Guard Alaska," aired on the Weather Channel. That show is gearing up for its second season premiere.