R 132141Z JUL 11

ALCOAST 332/11
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: ANCIENT ALBATROSS CHANGE OF WATCH
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE RADM GARY T BLORE WILL TRANSFER THE HONOR
AND MANTLE OF THE ANCIENT ALBATROSS TO VADM JOHN P. CURRIER ON 14
JULY 2011 AT SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER ASTORIA, OR.  RADM BLORE ACCEPTED
THE ANCIENT ALBATROSS ARTIFACTS DURING A CEREMONY IN ELIZABETH CITY,
NC ON 01 OCTOBER 2009.
2. THE ANCIENT ALBATROSS IS A PRESTIGIOUS HONOR BESTOWED UPON THE
INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS HELD AN AVIATION DESIGNATION FOR THE LONGEST
PERIOD OF TIME.  SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1966, THERE HAVE BEEN
TWENTY-TWO AVIATORS ACCORDED THIS RECOGNITION.
3. AS RADM BLORE PREPARES TO TRANSITION INTO RETIREMENT FROM ACTIVE
SERVICE, WE SEND OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR HIS LONG AND DEDICATED
SERVICE TO COAST GUARD AVIATION AND TO OUR NATION.
4. I CONGRATULATE VADM CURRIER ON HIS DESIGNATION AS OUR TWENTY-THIRD
ANCIENT ALBATROSS.  IN THIS CAPACITY I AM CERTAIN HE WILL ABLY
REPRESENT THE RICH TRADITIONS OF COAST GUARD AVIATION AND THE
HUNDREDS OF COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN WHO FLY AND PROVIDE DAILY
SUPPORT FOR COAST GUARD MISSIONS.
5. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT AND THIRTEENTH GOLD ANCIENT MARINER,
SENDS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.