R 072348Z JUL 10

ALCOAST 361/10
COMDTNOTE 3710
SUBJ: LOSS OF COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT 6017
1. IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET AND SADNESS THAT I REPORT THE CRASH OF
CG6017 TODAY ALONG THE COAST NEAR LA PUSH, WA.  CG6017, FLOWN BY A
FOUR PERSON CREW FROM AIRSTA SITKA, WAS IN TRANSIT FROM ASTORIA,
OREGON, TO SITKA, ALASKA.  A MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT
LOCATED THE FOUR CREWMEMBERS - ONE WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND THREE
WERE DECEASED.
2. ALTHOUGH MANY OF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE NAMES AND STATUS OF THE
CREW, WE ARE FOLLOWING THE APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES.  WE
WILL RELEASE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO ALL OF YOU AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
3. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF AIRSTA
SITKA AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR IMMEDIATE FOCUS IS ON PROVIDING THE
NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT TO THE FAMILIES OF THE CREW AND THEIR
SHIPMATES.  WE WILL DISPATCH EVERY RESOURCE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT
SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THEIR NEEDS. THE SEVENTEENTH DISTRICT
COMMANDER, RADM COLVIN, IS HEADED TO AIRSTA SITKA TO STAND BY OUR
SHIPMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
4. WE WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES
SURROUNDING THE MISHAP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND HELP PREVENT FUTURE
INCIDENTS.  CG6017 SALVAGE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY.
5. ADDITIONALLY, I AM DIRECTING OPERATIONAL COMMANDERS TO CONDUCT A
SAFETY STAND DOWN FOR EVERY AIRSTA IN THE CG.  THE DETAILS OF WHICH
WILL BE CONVEYED IN SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE, A PERSONAL FOR MESSAGE
TO AIRSTA COMMANDING OFFICERS.
6. I ASK ALL OF YOU TO PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND REFLECT ON
YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS YOU STAND THE WATCH.
7. RELEASED BY ADMIRAL BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.