CGC Blackthorn Memorial (Tampa, FL): A Post Script

CGC Blackthorn Memorial (Tampa, FL): A Post Script
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,

Many of you commented on our Facebook page regarding the BLACKTHORN Memorial. In my remarks I mentioned a friend that I lost in the tragedy, CWO BOSN Jack Roberts. Jack had served with me when I was Operations Officer on GALLATIN (1975-77). Following the ceremony one of the BLACKTHORN survivors came up to me and talked about how much he admired Jack. I offered him the chance to tell all of us and his guest post follows.

ADM A

Admiral Allen -
Let me begin by saying what an honor and a pleasure it was meeting you and speaking with you last week in St. Petersburg at the Blackthorn Memorial Service. This annual commemoration is a fitting tribute to our shipmates. I cherish my memories of each of them and it's so hard to believe that thirty years has passed. At the service you requested that I share some of my memories of CWO2 Jack Roberts with you. I was assigned to Blackthorn coming out of Boot Camp in 1979. Going aboard a buoy tender as a Seaman Apprentice straight out of boot camp was quite an indoctrination into the Coast Guard - to say the least. I'm sure you'll agree they are some of the hardest working Coast Guard units afloat. Mr. Roberts was the head of our deck department. He made an immediate impression on me as a hard-working, experienced, and tenacious Coast Guardsman. He ran a tight deck department and expected nothing short of excellence from all of us. His salt and pepper hair and well trimmed beard gave him the look of experience and wisdom - both of which he had. His South Mississippi dialect was very distinctive and just added more to his unique character and demeanor. Mr. Roberts related well to the enlisted men, he had definitely walked in our boots. On the night of the collision, I was standing watch during the special sea detail as a lookout on the forecastle with Mr. Roberts. We were both ready to get back to Galveston, and together we stood watch for the last time. As the special sea detail was relaxed to a modified special sea detail, Mr. Roberts suggested I lay below to get some rest for the impending sea watch that I was to stand as we cleared the sea buoy leaving the Tampa shipping channel. Following the collision and my escape from the capsized and flooding Blackthorn, I would encounter Mr. Roberts one last time. He was unconscious and unresponsive as we struggled to keep him afloat. These memories are painful. Again, I cherish my memories of Jack Roberts and our other twenty-two shipmates that perished that night. I take solace in knowing that they "sail with one more divine."


Respectfully yours,

Steve Coleman
USCG Veteran
USCGC Blackthorn survivor

MSD Nashville Visit

MSD Nashville Visit
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians

I had the opportunity this week to visit Marine Safety Detachment Nashville, TN. We thank LCDR Josh McTaggart and his Guardian team for a great All Hands and some insightful questions.

MSD Nashville performs the full suite of maritime Safety, Security and Stewardship missions for nearly 1,000 miles of navigable waterways spanning 4 states, including vast portions of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.

MSD Nashville was first established as a Port Safety Unit and later came under the operational control of Marine Safety Office Paducah, KY as a Marine Safety Detachment. In Spring of 2009, MSD Nashville was reorganized and now reports directly to Sector Ohio Valley. Nashville is responsible for nearly all of the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, an area as large as or larger than any of the Sector?s three Marine Safety Units, as measured in both navigable river miles and total square miles. Large quantities of coal and fertilizer move on these waterways, as well as industrial chemicals.

They have a strong team as evidenced by the large number of Reservists and Auxiliarist who attended the All Hands.

A great unit in a great location, Music City USA.

ADM A

SOUTHCOM Coast Guard Reservists Support Haiti Response

Guest Blog by Captain Doug Dawson, Commanding Officer,
Coast Guard Reserve Unit US Southern Command

CGRU USSOUTHCOM is one of four reserve units that support the Commandant Commands (COCOMS), the others being CGRU US Northern Command, CGRU US Joint Forces Command, and CGRU US Transportation Command. These units consist of about 20 senior officers and enlisted personnel. Unit members are fully integrated into the COCOM Directorate staff or "J codes." Members are often called upon for their expertise with maritime/port operations and knowledge of interagency coordination, however, like all Joint Staff Officers, they must be thoroughly familiar with the capabilities of all the services and the DoD Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES).

Soon after the earthquake struck Haiti Coast Guard Reserve Unit, US Southern Command was ready to support. Within 24 hours of the quake two personnel reported for duty; within 48 hours we had four personnel on-board. There are currently 11 personnel on Title 10 orders in support of Operation Unified Response. Unit personnel are serving as planners, watch standers, legal consultants, liaison officers, and mobility officers. One member is deployed to Haiti and four others are on stand by for deployment.

Lt Noah Maignan is in Haiti serving as SOUTHCOM's liaison to Joint Task Force-HAITI and Special Advisor to the Deputy Commanding General for Operations, JTF-HAITI, Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center. CDR Steve Hill (CGRU XO), MECS Charles Ferrante and MSTC Matt Rouse are standing watch at the Crisis Action Center CG desk. CDR Drew Cromwell, CDR (sel) Tiffany Danko, and LCDR Mike Crippen serve as senior Maritime and Air Operations Planners. LCDR Scott Hale provides valuable legal assistance to the Command. ME2 George Jacobi and GM2 Jorge Fernandez de Lara ensure that CG and other DoD personnel are properly processed prior to deployment to Haiti. YN1 Julie Bosman supports the CG LNO shop and ensures CGRU member's orders and berthing is taken care of.

Our unit provides US SOUTHCOM with surge capacity in support of all three core reserve functions: Maritime Homeland Security; Domestic/Expeditionary Support to National Defense; and Domestic Natural & Manmade Disaster Response & Recovery. CGRU SOUTHCOM's support of Operation Unified Response demonstrates the value of the unit, and provides a model for the other COCOM CGRU's when responding to major operations.

Sector CO's conference (Orlando, FL)

Sector CO's conference (Orlando, FL)
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,

This week a number of senior leaders are meeting with our Sector Commanders at their annual conference. Yesterday I spent some time discussing the status of our Authorization Bill as it relates to Modernization, deployment of our new maintenance program to the small boat and patrol communities, and the FY2011 budget. We also had a good discussion regarding SAR staffing, doctrine and operating procedures. As we have reviewed our response to cases over the last several years there has been much discussion regarding how our operations centers are staffed and how we manage SAR cases. These are healthy discussions and we need to continually assess our readiness in all of our mission areas and look for areas where we need to change and adapt ... the hallmark of a change centric organization. I did pass on a personal standard I have used for over thirty years of SAR operations. If you have even a generalized location of an event and doubt as to personal safety ... launch. In short hand, doubt plus datum equals do something (D3).

ADM A

Senior Leadership Nominations and Announcement

Guardians,

Earlier today, we released an All Hands email regarding Senior Leadership nominations and an announcement. Here is the text of that email:

I am pleased to announce the new leadership team which will assume their positions when VADM Papp relieves me as Commandant on 25 May 2010.

Secretary Napolitano has forwarded and President Obama has approved the nominations of Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara for promotion to Vice Admiral and assignment as Vice Commandant; Rear Admiral Robert C. Parker for promotion to Vice Admiral and assignment as Commander, Atlantic Area; and Rear Admiral Manson K. Brown for promotion to Vice Admiral and assignment as Commander, Pacific Area. Vice Admiral John P. Currier will continue to serve as the Chief of Staff. The President has forwarded these nominations to the Senate for its consideration.

Appointment to these billets and promotion as appropriate will occur following confirmation by the Senate.

Rear Admiral Brian M. Salerno will be assigned as the Deputy Commandant for Operations; this position does not require Senate confirmation. Additional flag assignments will be announced at a later date.

We have been fortunate to have the service of Vice Admiral David Pekoske, our current Vice Commandant and Vice Admiral Jody Breckenridge, our current Pacific Area Commander. Both have made enormous contributions to our Service as members of the Leadership Council and throughout their careers. I truly appreciate their dedication and commitment to position the Service for future success. We are a better Coast Guard because of them.

Over the next few months, we will work to have a seamless transition to a new leadership team so our men and women can continue to execute and support our missions without disruption. We owe that to you, our Active Duty, Reserves, Civilians and Auxiliarists, and to the American public.

Semper Paratus!

Admiral Thad W. Allen
Commandant

St Elizabeths New Coast Guard Headquarters Building

St Elizabeths New Coast Guard Headquarters Building
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,
I'm pleased to report that the new Coast Guard Headquarters building was approved for construction on January 7, 2010 by the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal government's planning agency for the National Capital Region, allowing the project to proceed on schedule. This new facility will be a part of the consolidated U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters campus being developed on the historic St. Elizabeths Hospital site near the Anacostia River in SE Washington, DC approximately 2 miles from our current Headquarters building. The campus will be developed in phases and, when complete, will support a population of 14,000 employees department wide. The Coast Guard will be the first to occupy the site scheduled for 2013.
The construction required for the Coast Guard occupancy is funded and on schedule. It includes the new headquarters building, parking, utilities, support spaces and the Coast Guard Operations Center. The aerial view here shows the location for the Coast Guard building on the campus. Other construction, including renovation of historic buildings, is scheduled for completion during 2014-2016.
A rendering of the new Coast Guard Headquarters building is also shown. This building will meet criteria for a gold rating in Leadership in Energy and Environment (LEED)the 2nd highest certification as set by the U. S. Green Building Council. The building will include robust technology infrastructure, state of the art conference rooms, a child care center with capacity for 120 children, and a medical and dental clinic for military personnel. Shared support facilities on campus will include a fitness center, cafeterias, and additional conference center spaces.
You can watch a short video about the plan for revitalizing this historic campus for DHS' headquarters here.

Mrs. Lola Poisson Joseph - Spouse of Haitian Ambassador to the U.S.

Mrs. Lola Poisson Joseph - Spouse of Haitian Ambassador to the U.S.
Originally uploaded by icommandant

Guest post from Portia Davidson (Workforce Policy Advisor in CG-12B):

I had the opportunity to attend a luncheon in mid-January which focused on enhancing diversity and creating opportunities for all people within the public sector. Mrs. Lola Poisson Joseph, wife of the Haitian Ambassador to the United States, Raymond Joseph, attended this event. Mrs. Poisson Joseph told me that her husband wanted the men and women of the Coast Guard to know how much "He personally appreciated the Coast Guard's efforts as first responders to the earthquake tragedy. Their work is greatly appreciated and admired by all the Haitian people."

In the photograph, Mrs. Poisson Joseph is seated in the middle.

Ambassador Joseph is planning to attend the Coast Guard's Diversity Leadership Summit which will occur from 20-22 April 2010 at the Westin Hotel in Alexandria, VA. The purpose of the Summit is to further educate our internal and external stakeholders on the benefits of inclusion, equity, and respect for people of all backgrounds. It will be an honor to host Ambassador Joseph at this wonderful event.

Modernization Series: Asset Project Office

Guest Post by VADM Currier, Coast Guard Chief of Staff:

Established in early 2009, the Asset Project Office (APO) fills a gap between acquisition of an asset and sustainment throughout its life. It will manage the total ownership costs of our legacy and future assets in alignment with the Coast Guard Logistics Business Model. The APO is making critical contributions to the Surface Forces Logistics Center's (SFLC's ) new Patrol Boat Product Line (PBPL), which includes responsibility for support of the 87 foot Coastal Patrol Boat (CPB), the 110 foot Patrol Boat (WPB), and the Fast Response Cutter (FRC). The APO is determining and planning the new FRC's maintenance schedule, training cycle, facilities and equipment needs, and life-cycle costs, making it among the first new acquisitions expected to be delivered under the new business model. CAPT James Sebastian (APO Commanding Officer) provides an update on the work of the Asset Project Office on DCMS Log.

Coast Guard Honorees in Latina Style Magazine

Guardians,

I am pleased to announce that two of our Coast Guard members, Commander Alicia Garcia Vantran (Flight Surgeon and Medical Doctor assigned to the Clinic in Headquarters) and Ms. Irma Edys Fuentes (Civil Engineering Unit Miami), were honored by Latina Style Magazine for their outstanding military service to the Nation. They were among 12 members selected from all the military services and the National Guard Bureau. According to the magazine:

"The men and women of the active and reserve branches continue to work in traditional and nontraditional operations sustaining readiness and core capabilities while building a future where they can operate to fight and lead for their country. LATINA Style's mission is to ensure Latinas are recognized for their commitment and accomplishes this by honoring brave Latinas in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, National Guard Bureau, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Defense Logistics Agency. These 12 active-duty service members and Department of Defense civilians are Latinas who serve the nation in the defense of our freedom and are outstanding examples of leadership, dedication and bravery."

Congratulations again to CDR Vantran and Ms. Edys!

Coast Guard Auxiliary National Training Conference (NTRAIN)

Coast Guard Auxiliary N-Train
Originally uploaded by icommandant

Guest post by RADM Sally Brice-O'Hara, Deputy Commandant for Operations (CG-DCO):

This year's Coast Guard Auxiliary National Training Conference (NTRAIN) 2010 concluded on Sunday. The theme was "Leadership, Performance, Readiness". The culmination of extensive joint efforts between Auxiliary and active duty leadership enhances Auxiliary surge capability and capacity to support the active duty workforce, and ultimately improves Coast Guard mission effectiveness. The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides critical reinforcement, not only within our local communities but expanding to national and international response missions, such as the Haiti earthquake.

Auxiliarists have provided vital support in wake of the Haiti tragedy. Immediately following the earthquake event, eight Auxiliary Creole-French interpreters volunteered their service and stand ready to utilize their language skills to contribute to the ongoing response efforts. In addition, Auxiliary members are standing watch in the Seventh Coast Guard District's Joint Information Center to handle public information needs. Also of particular note were the efforts of Mr. Robert Nelson, Director, USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs, who established a system that allowed him to monitor social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook for reports of people in distress. Mr. Nelson also helped coordinate the development of a distress SMS Short Code through the Department of State to allow those in Haiti to send distress text messages. Due to the thousands of text messages that were received, additional Auxiliary members were brought in to assist in filtering messages.

America's Volunteer Guardians live the Coast Guard's Core Values above and beyond the call of duty. The approximate 30,000 members offer their time, skills and resources. The volunteer efforts of the Auxiliarists, through vessel safety checks, safe boating courses, and search and rescue, is immeasurable. I recently issued an ALCOAST that moves the Auxiliary Trident Program one step further in providing additional support to the field. ALCOAST 045/10 announced the release of twelve new and twelve revised and updated Prevention and Response Performance Qualification Standards (PQS) for the Auxiliary Trident Program. The new PQS is the culmination of an extensive joint effort on behalf of Auxiliary and Active Duty Leadership. The Auxiliary must continue its forward-leaning support of Coast Guard missions, and progressively steer its evolution as a volunteer service through well-planned and well managed change in order to improve mission execution within a Modernized Coast Guard.

In the picture Anne Lockwood (left), CG Auxiliary Public Education Director, explains the workings of an inflatable lifejacket to Commodore Robin Freeman.