Lieutenant Junior Grade Sara McGuigan received her commission upon graduating the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. She completed her first tour onboard USCGC Rush (WHEC-723), home-ported in Honolulu, Hawaii. While serving as an underway Deck Watch Officer, Training Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Weapons Officer, and Combat Information Center Officer, LTJG McGuigan contributed to Rush’s primary missions of fisheries law enforcement and counter drug and migrant operations. 

LTJG Sara McGuigan assumed command of USCGC Kittiwake (WPB-87316), home-ported in Nawiliwili, Kaua’i in July of 2010, and simultaneously moved the cutter’s homeport to Honolulu, Oahu. LTJG McGuigan commanded a crew of 12 to carry out the main missions of homeland security escorts, recreational boating safety, fisheries law enforcement, Humpback Whale Sanctuary security, and search and rescue throughout the Hawaiian Islands. In July 2012, LTJG McGuigan reported to Professional Maritime Studies at the United States Naval Academy.