Breaking the Trail...
Marking the Way...
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MOBILE BAY (WTGB 103)
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
COMMANDING OFFICER
LCDR John M. Stone
Lieutenant Commander John Stone, originally from Ledyard, Connecticut, began his operational career in 1997, serving as the Operations Officer aboard USCGC PAPAW. This would pave the way for three more afloat tours in his career to date, including two Executive Officer tours: one aboard USCGC NEAH BAY (WTGB-105) and one on USCGC ELM (WLB-204). LCDR Stone’s current tour as Commanding Officer aboard USCGC MOBILE BAY (WTBG-103 & CGB-12002) makes up his fourth afloat tour, where he oversees evolutions on an excess of 100 buoys and countless hours every winter of domestic icebreaking operations.
In addition to his tours afloat, Lieutenant Commander Stone served as an instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 2003-2006, where he taught Calculus, Probability and Statistics, and Computer Programming. Before reporting to USCGC MOBILE BAY, Lieutenant Commander Stone served at the Office of Performance Management (CG-9054) at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. There, he served as Assistant Program Manager, Training Coordinator, and Requirements Engineer for the Coast Guard Business Intelligence system.
Educationally, Lieutenant Commander Stone has earned several degrees, his first being a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1997. In addition, Lieutenant Commander Stone earned a Masters in Computer Science as well as a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island in 2003.
Lieutenant Commander Stone’s Coast Guard awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (2), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, and the Sea Service Ribbon (with 2 bronze stars, symbolizing his excess of 7 years at sea).
Lieutenant Commander Stone’s family includes his wife, the former Lori McClusky, as well as his two children, Gavin and Olivia, all currently residing in Sturgeon Bay, Wi.
Executive Officer
LT Harold J. Kiffer
Lieutenant Harold Kiffer enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in July 1994 and later earned his commission from USCG Officer Candidate School in Dec 2004. LT Kiffer’s afloat assignments include CGC PLANETREE in Ketchikan, AK, CGC RUSH in Honolulu, HI, Deck Watch Officer aboard CGC POLAR STAR in Seattle, WA, and Executive Officer of CGC KATMAI BAY in Sault Ste Marie, MI. LT Kiffer reported as Executive Officer of CGC MOBILE BAY in Jun 2011.
Lieutenant Kiffer’s shore assignments include Loran Station Middletown, CA, CG Navigation Center Detachment in Petaluma, CA, CGC HEALY Maintenance Team at Electronics Support Unit Seattle, WA, and CG Navigation Center in Alexandria, VA where he oversaw the termination of the CG LORAN program.
Lieutenant Kiffer’s military decorations include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal (3), Commandant’s Letters of Commendation (3), CG Good Conduct Award (3), and numerous other personal and service awards.
Lieutenant Kiffer is a native of Ketchikan, AK. He is married to the former Nancy Larsen of Novato, CA. The Kiffers have two children, Alyssa and Zachary.
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