Command of a loran station was almost invariably a young Coast Guard officer's first independent assignment, and it provides an excellent opportunity for him to demonstrate his leadership qualities. Many young others dread loran duty because of the isolation, but after it is over nearly all of them feel it has been well worthwhile. At isolated stations, tours of duty were for one year. The great majority of loran stations are supplied with fuel, bulky spare parts, and large staple items by a Coast Guard supply ship which calls once or twice a year. Unless they were located near a large community, loran stations received mail, personnel, fresh stores, and emergency spare parts by Coast Guard airplane.
Most stations have their own airstrip.
In many places throughout the Pacific, Coast guardsmen are the only Americans ever seen by the natives, and it is to their credit that unpleasant incidents have been few and far between. In fact, usually relationships were excellent. A good example is the Okinawa Loran Station which is located on a small island just of Okinawa itself . Here on Ichi Benare, the loran station personnel are the only Americans. The island is infested with a venomous snake, a species of pit viper.