United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May

In 1917, the Navy established a "section base" in Cape May to provide training, vessel support and communication facilities for coastal defense.

The old skating rink became the mess hall and sleeping quarters, the stage was made into a galley, the "human roulette wheel" – a scrub table and the "barrel of fun" became a brig.

When the old wooden structure burned down in 1918, the Navy built standard military facilities along the harbor front (some of these buildings still stand).

In 1924, the U.S. Coast Guard occupied the base and established air facilities for planes used in support of United States Customs Service efforts.

With the advent of World War II, a larger airstrip was constructed and the Navy returned to train aircraft carrier pilots.

The Coast Guard also increased its Cape May forces for coastal patrol, anti-submarine warfare, air/sea rescue and buoy service.

Although modern training facilities have replaced most of the original Naval Base buildings, the Coast Guard is respectful of the history of Sewell Point and their host city.

The TRACEN maintains its own active duty and reservist staffed military fire and police departments, as well as ambulance service, that are frequently called for mutual aid in the local areas.