Alder was built by Marinette Marine Corporation and launched on February 7, 2004. Alder's maiden voyage was on September 12, 2004. The Alder is currently assigned to Duluth, Minnesota as its home port. Alder replaced the previous cutter stationed in Duluth, the USCGC Sundew, which retired after 60 years of service. Alder is designed as a multi-mission vessel, with its missions being Aids to Navigation, Icebreaking, Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Marine Environmental Protection.