CG-1705 Update -- Support, Investigation, Memorial Information
To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard and Everyone Who Supports Them:
First, my heartfelt thanks and sincere admiration to the literally thousands of people, both seen and unseen, who are helping our fellow Guardians in this time of great need. Tragedies like this reverberate throughout our service, but our mission never stops and we continue to be relied on by the American public to provide for their safety and security. Through the tireless and fearless dedication of Team Coast Guard, and the support of the entire Coast Guard Family, we are demonstrating our resiliency and continue to stand the watch while we embrace and lift up those enduring immense loss.
I was in Texas on Thursday evening when I first learned of the loss of CG-1705 and a Marine helicopter. Friday morning we flew out to Air Station Sacramento where I met with the command cadre, held an all hands, met privately with crew members, and talked to families and friends who had gathered. It was difficult for all of us and I appreciate the dedication and commitment of the crew to their Guardians. I also talked with the relief crew that was sent by Barbers Point to take the watch and ease the burden on the SACTO crew. On Saturday I met with our responders in San Diego and thanked them for their tireless efforts. We were assisted greatly by our DHS partners in CBP with search aircraft and the dispatch of CBP Chaplains to assist our shipmates. The US Navy Third Fleet was also a key player in the response and we thank VADM Rick Hunt and his team. I also thank my sea services partners General Jim Conway and Admiral Gary Roughead for their support as well.
The support community has actively mobilized to provide support in every conceivable way, including: additional counselors and chaplains; critical incident stress management services; and other work-life needs (e.g., special needs, child care). The nature of our service -- small, close-knit, geographically mobile -- makes it a certainty that we have Guardians stationed across the country who have experienced a personal loss. We are sensitive to this and the potential need for emotional support and have asked our work-life staffs nationwide to be especially vigilant and ensure that anyone in need is provided for. Coast Guard personnel and dependents can call the Employee Assistance Program toll free number (1-800-222-0364) to obtain counseling assistance.
Friday morning we were in immediate contact with Marine Corps leadership to express our condolences and determine the appropriate way ahead. I cannot say enough about the professional and cooperative response from our sister service, which is also grieving the loss of two brave Marines. We have agreed that the right approach going forward is to exercise complete cooperation. To that end we will conduct a thorough joint investigation, presided over by RDML Korn as Board President and a dedicated and experienced staff of Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy aviation experts.
Plans are still being finalized for a formal memorial service at Air Station Sacramento on Friday. As soon as more details are available for that we will communicate those to maximize the opportunity for Team Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Family to participate. As always, the Coast Guard Foundation is providing outstanding support in our time of need. You can learn more about how the Coast Guard Foundation is helping here.
There is still much to do and many questions to be answered. I caution against speculation until we know the facts associated with what happened. We owe that to our fallen Guardians.
To the men and women of the Coast Guard and all of those who have assisted us, thank you for your concern and support for the families, loved ones, and friends of the crew of CG 1705. We honor their service and devotion to duty.
ADM A
First, my heartfelt thanks and sincere admiration to the literally thousands of people, both seen and unseen, who are helping our fellow Guardians in this time of great need. Tragedies like this reverberate throughout our service, but our mission never stops and we continue to be relied on by the American public to provide for their safety and security. Through the tireless and fearless dedication of Team Coast Guard, and the support of the entire Coast Guard Family, we are demonstrating our resiliency and continue to stand the watch while we embrace and lift up those enduring immense loss.
I was in Texas on Thursday evening when I first learned of the loss of CG-1705 and a Marine helicopter. Friday morning we flew out to Air Station Sacramento where I met with the command cadre, held an all hands, met privately with crew members, and talked to families and friends who had gathered. It was difficult for all of us and I appreciate the dedication and commitment of the crew to their Guardians. I also talked with the relief crew that was sent by Barbers Point to take the watch and ease the burden on the SACTO crew. On Saturday I met with our responders in San Diego and thanked them for their tireless efforts. We were assisted greatly by our DHS partners in CBP with search aircraft and the dispatch of CBP Chaplains to assist our shipmates. The US Navy Third Fleet was also a key player in the response and we thank VADM Rick Hunt and his team. I also thank my sea services partners General Jim Conway and Admiral Gary Roughead for their support as well.
The support community has actively mobilized to provide support in every conceivable way, including: additional counselors and chaplains; critical incident stress management services; and other work-life needs (e.g., special needs, child care). The nature of our service -- small, close-knit, geographically mobile -- makes it a certainty that we have Guardians stationed across the country who have experienced a personal loss. We are sensitive to this and the potential need for emotional support and have asked our work-life staffs nationwide to be especially vigilant and ensure that anyone in need is provided for. Coast Guard personnel and dependents can call the Employee Assistance Program toll free number (1-800-222-0364) to obtain counseling assistance.
Friday morning we were in immediate contact with Marine Corps leadership to express our condolences and determine the appropriate way ahead. I cannot say enough about the professional and cooperative response from our sister service, which is also grieving the loss of two brave Marines. We have agreed that the right approach going forward is to exercise complete cooperation. To that end we will conduct a thorough joint investigation, presided over by RDML Korn as Board President and a dedicated and experienced staff of Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy aviation experts.
Plans are still being finalized for a formal memorial service at Air Station Sacramento on Friday. As soon as more details are available for that we will communicate those to maximize the opportunity for Team Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Family to participate. As always, the Coast Guard Foundation is providing outstanding support in our time of need. You can learn more about how the Coast Guard Foundation is helping here.
There is still much to do and many questions to be answered. I caution against speculation until we know the facts associated with what happened. We owe that to our fallen Guardians.
To the men and women of the Coast Guard and all of those who have assisted us, thank you for your concern and support for the families, loved ones, and friends of the crew of CG 1705. We honor their service and devotion to duty.
ADM A
Posted at
7:33 PM
5 Comments:
This past Sunday I asked that "Eternal Father Strong to Save" be sung in our church..As I started to sing ,I broke down and couldn't continue..I know that in my 16 yrs as a loadmaster,that the only thing that saved us many times was "Divine Intervention"..That realization came full circle to me this past Sunday..
I was good friends with Monica when I was stationed there. It was Monica Gibson then though. My prayers stay with her little one. She was a great person who always had my back. I will never forget her. This has been a real rough week coping with what has happened. I find myself avoiding flights. I hope all the families know that our prayers here at ATC Mobile are with them.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
I'd like to extend my sincere heartfelt sympathies to all of the family and friends of the victims. Please know how proud and grateful I am to all of you that serve our wonderful country.
Marti Brown, RN, MSN USCGAUX SO-CM 07-13-02
My prayers to the families and the people flying the Hercs at Sacramento. I retired out of Air Sta Sac in 2002. I know to well how this feels. I was in Humboldt for 2 events like this and it takes time to get back. For me I just told myself it was a cause and a job that requires that risk. I did what I could to be better at my job. God Bless.
AVT1 Beers, USCG Ret.
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