Casco Cove Coast Guard Station

Casco Cove Coast Guard Station Attu Island Airport (ATU) sits on the westernmost point of Alaska, 1,100 miles from Anchorage and closer to Russia than to mainland USA. This single-runway airstrip serves the U.S. Coast Guard's forward operating base on Attu Island, a place with no permanent civilian population and no road connections to any other community. The airport is used almost exclusively for military and government flights, though charter operators occasionally land here for researchers, historians, and the few travelers who make the journey to one of the most remote locations in the United States.

Getting There

Reaching Attu Island requires serious advance planning. There are no scheduled commercial flights. The only practical way for civilians is to charter a small aircraft from Anchorage or Cold Bay, a flight of several hours over open ocean. Alternatively, the Alaska Marine Highway System does not serve Attu; the only ship access is via occasional Coast Guard vessels or private expedition boats. The island is 1,500 miles from Juneau, and weather frequently delays or cancels flights — fog, high winds, and snow are common year-round. Anyone planning a visit must coordinate with the Coast Guard station for permission, as the island is a restricted military area. Transport on the island itself is limited to government vehicles; there are no rental cars or taxis.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Casco Cove is a single-story structure built to serve the basic needs of station personnel and occasional visitors. There is no seating area beyond a few plastic chairs, no food concessions, and no gift shop. Passengers arriving here step directly onto the tarmac and into whatever weather is present — which is almost always cold and windy. The building contains a small waiting room, a single restroom, and a counter where flights are checked in with handwritten paperwork. There is no security screening in the traditional sense; the station's military nature means access is controlled by active-duty personnel. In case of a delay, passengers wait in the terminal or are accommodated in the station's barracks. It is essential to bring all necessities — food, water, warm clothing — as the airport offers nothing for purchase.

Casco Cove Coast Guard Station Attu Island Airport (ATU) and Attu Island

Attu Island is a place of stark beauty and deep history. It is the largest of the Near Islands, part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and hosts colonies of seabirds, sea lions, and whales in the surrounding waters. The island's history is dominated by World War II: in 1942, Japanese forces occupied Attu and the neighboring island of Kiska, the only invasions of U.S. soil during the war. The 15-day Battle of Attu in May 1943 left more than 2,000 Japanese and 500 American dead. Today, remnants of the conflict — rusted gun emplacements, abandoned vehicles, and memorials — dot the tundra. The Coast Guard station was established after the war and has operated continuously, monitoring maritime traffic and enforcing U.S. sovereignty in the Bering Sea.

Visitors come for the haunting silence, the dramatic volcanic landscapes, and the palpable sense of isolation. There are no hotels, restaurants, or museums. The only inhabitants are Coast Guard personnel, who rotate in on temporary assignments. Wildlife viewing is excellent: seals, sea otters, puffins, and migratory birds fill the shores in summer. The island's climate is subpolar oceanic, with temperatures rarely above 50°F even in August, and constant fog. Hiking is possible but requires extreme caution — weather can turn in minutes, and there are no trails. The battlefields are accessible with a guide, though many remains are still hazardous with unexploded ordnance. For those willing to endure the logistical hurdles, Attu offers an unmatched glimpse into a forgotten corner of American history and geography.

Practical Information

The airport is not open all days; operations depend on weather and Coast Guard schedule. The phone number is +1 907-392-3315, which reaches the station office. There is no website, no WiFi, and no cell service. The best time to attempt a visit is July to September, when temperatures are mildest and fog is less persistent. All visits must be arranged in advance with the Coast Guard. The single concrete piece of advice: bring more supplies than you think you need — there are no stores, no backup options, and resupply flights can be delayed by days. If you are not part of a military or research mission, seriously reconsider whether your trip is feasible without official support.