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CGC OAK (WLB-211)
Welcome Aboard
Welcome, Cutterman!
CONGRATULATIONS to your assignment to the best cutter in the fleet. I want to personally welcome you aboard and hopefully get you even more excited about your assignment.
OAK is a truly a multi-mission cutter that performs every mission of the Coast Guard and there is never a dull moment aboard! Most notably is OAK’s response to the two significant events of 2010, or perhaps the decade. When the earthquake struck in Haiti, OAK quickly got underway and provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti. Shortly after, OAK again answered the call for assistance by using its oil recovery system to collect oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill off the Gulf Coast of the United States as the first Coast Guard oil skimming platform. Working as partners with other cutters, civilian agencies, Department of Defense counterparts, and International agencies, OAK has made a positive impact throughout the world and will continue to do so.
OAK is one of the newest vessels in the Coast Guard and has the latest technology; which requires a shift from traditional watch standing to innovative ways of standing watch. With a crew of almost 50, each and every crewmember is a critical link to the ships success. You can surely expect to be involved in our success beginning the day you report aboard as we expect and demand your top performance; but we will give you the tools to succeed. OAK primarily performs Aids to Navigation. Secondary missions include Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Maritime Safety, and Environmental Response. The missions OAK performs will take you from Little River, SC to the Caribbean; a birthplace of maritime lore. OAK is traditionally away from homeport 180 days a year during various times and we will call upon many foreign and domestic ports. Each day we will pass cruise ships visiting ports of call that we safely mark for them. We also enjoy those same ports while earning an honest days wage at the same time.
OAK’s homeport is shared by the Cutters GALLATIN, DALLAS, YELLOWFIN, and ANVIL. Collocated shore commands include Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, NESU Charleston, and Sector Charleston. You can view the attached links to local housing help, but do not look past the new Navy housing at Naval Weapons Station Charleston which offers all the amenities and security for your family while we are away. When not underway, the City of Charleston and surrounding communities offer a wide variety of activities. The city has minor league Hockey and Baseball, numerous hallowed golf courses, historical areas, and true southern hospitality. Summers are very hot and humid that leads into wonderful Falls, Winters, and Springs.
Attached below, you will find many links to items in the Charleston area to help you get settled in. For any further assistance, please feel free to contact YN2 Broome YN2 Broome, or the Executive Officer, LT Slivinski at (843) 554-8541 or LT Slivinski.
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Lastly, I have included my command philosophy that will give you a snapshot of what is important to me while in command of OAK. Though there may be slight rudder commands to the philosophy, I cannot envision anything that will sway me completely from it. Thank You, and Welcome aboard. EXCELLENCY, NOT ADEQUACY.
Your Captain,
LCDR Peter Niles
Commanding Officer
USCGC OAK (WLB 211)
Ph: 843-554-8541
Ship's Cell:843-469-8750
Inmarsat: 011-874763419356
Email:
Peter.S.Niles@uscg.mil
Resources
| Command Philosophy | Letter from the Ombudsman | Housing Search |
| Charleston Area Maps | Local Charleston News | |
| City of Charleston Website | Local Attractions |
The links in this table open in new windows and are not affiliated with the USCGC OAK or US Coast Guard Websites.
Medical Facilities
Members and dependents are under the Tricare program. Make sure you are correctly registered in Tricare and DEERS including your new address upon your arrival to Oak. The medical facilities available to Active Duty members in Charleston are the Navy Hospital in North Charleston or the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek. Prescriptions can be filled at the Naval Hospital Charleston however, they do not provide walk-in refills. Refills can be attained by calling the pharmacy in advance or by enrolling in the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy. There is a small amount of basic over the counter medications available through the HS on the vessel. Annual eye exams can be obtained from the Naval Weapons Station Optometry Clinic in Goose Creek. Dental exams and cleanings are provided by numerous civilian dental offices in the Charleston area.
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