R 081903Z SEP 08 
SUBJ:  UPDATE ON ACCIDENT INVOLVING CG-6505
1. THIS "ALL HANDS" UPDATES THE STATUS OF THE TRAGIC LOSS OF
CG-6505 LAST WEEK.  THREE OF THE FOUR FLIGHT CREW WERE RECOVERED
WITHOUT VITAL SIGNS AND ONE REMAINS MISSING.  COAST GUARD, NAVY,
AIR FORCE, HAWAII AIR NATIONAL GUARD AS WELL AS LOCAL FIRE AND
POLICE ASSETS CONDUCTED AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH OVER THE PAST FOUR
DAYS.  REGRETFULLY, WE HAVE NOT LOCATED OUR MISSING PILOT,
COMMANDER THOMAS NELSON, THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AIR STATION
BARBERS POINT.  THE SEARCH HAS BEEN SUSPENDED AND HIS FAMILY HAS
BEEN NOTIFIED.
2. COMMANDER NELSON, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ANDREW WISCHMEIER,
AVIATION SURVIVAL TECHNICIAN FIRST CLASS DAVID SKIMIN, AND AVIATION
MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN SECOND CLASS JOSHUA NICHOLS MADE THE
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY.  THEY LEAVE A
LEGACY OF DEDICATION, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT TO THEIR NATION AND
HUMANITY.  WE WILL HONOR THE CREW OF CG-6505 BY CONTINUING TO
PERFORM OPERATIONS SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
3. THESE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN EXCRUCIATING FOR THE FAMILIES,
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CREW MEMBERS OF THESE FALLEN GUARDIANS.  THE
ENTIRE COAST GUARD WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE WHATEVER SUPPORT WE CAN
DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.  VICE ADMIRAL PEKOSKE, THE PACIFIC AREA
COMMANDER, WILL PROVIDE DETAILS, AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, ON THE
FUNERALS AND/OR MEMORIAL SERVICES AND HOW TO EXPRESS CONDOLENCES TO
THE FAMILIES.
4. AS GUARDIANS, WE CONSTANTLY TRAIN AND HONE OUR SKILLS IN ORDER
TO OPERATE IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.  HOWEVER, NO AMOUNT OF TRAINING
CAN EVER PREPARE US TO LOSE A SHIPMATE OR AN AIRCREW.  EACH PERSON
GRIEVES IN THEIR OWN WAY AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP A WEATHER EYE
TOWARDS THE PEOPLE YOU LIVE AND WORK WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.  THANK
YOU FOR YOUR DEVOTION TO THE COAST GUARD AND TO EACH OTHER.
5. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.