Retired Vice Admiral Wurster appointed President/CEO San Diego Port

The Port of San Diego's new President/CEO, retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Charles D. Wurster, shakes hands with Board of Port Commissioners Chair Mike Bixler. Behind them stand outgoing Port President Bruce Hollingsworth (left) and Port Commissioner Stephen P. Cushman

By Unified Port District of San Diego
The Board of Port Commissioners appointed retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Charles D. Wurster asPresident/CEO of theSan Diego Unified Port District, the Board announced.

Wurster begins tomorrow.

The three-star admiral served 37 years in the Coast Guard, before retiring in May 2008 as the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, based in Alameda. After living throughout the country during his career, this past June he chose San Diego for his family home.

“I was impressed by the variety of businesses the Port is involved in, the work ethic there and the Port’s corporate culture, which stresses teamwork, accountability and achievement,” Wurster said. “I think my expertise is a good match with the Port and I look forward to continuing my career as a public servant.”

Wurster has been hired to replace Bruce Hollingsworth, who announced his planned retirement several months ago. Hollingsworth served as the district’s leader for almost six years, capping a 24-year career at the Port.

Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Coast Guard Exercise $13.25 Million Contract Options to Provide Mission Systems for the HC-130J Aircraft

by Locheed Martin

ROSSLYN, Va., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and the U.S. Coast Guard exercised contract options valued at $13.25 million to install mission systems aboard two additional HC-130J aircraft. Once delivered, these aircraft will complete the Coast Guard’s planned inventory of six missionized HC-130Js.

The aircraft’s new mission equipment and sensor packages deliver enhanced search, detection and tracking capabilities in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security missions.

“The mission equipment makes the Coast Guard’s HC-130J an incredibly versatile aircraft, critical to meeting today’s increased mission requirements,” said Mike Fralen, Deepwater Aviation lead for Lockheed Martin.

The mission-equipped HC-130J aircraft provide increased mission capability with improved fuel efficiency, higher availability and greater range and endurance. The HC-130J aircraft mission system leverages the technology that was developed for the HC-144A (“Ocean Sentry”) Maritime Patrol Aircraft and its mission system pallet. The aircraft modifications include installation of a belly-mounted surface search radar, which provides superior visibility and 360-degree coverage to assist in search and rescue missions. Modifications also include a nose-mounted Electro-Optical/Infra-Red imaging system, a flight deck mission operator station and a mission integrated communication system.

The Lockheed Martin mission system on the HC-130J is integrated into the flight area, which allows for the operators to directly coordinate with the rest of the flight crew when responding to critical missions. And unlike the HC-144A pallet solution, the HC-130J configuration leaves the cargo space fully useable.

Previously delivered HC-130J aircraft have proven their capabilities in the field. In a recent deployment, the aircraft’s mission system enabled Coast Guard operators to identify, track and assist in the interception of suspected vessels, leading to the confiscation of 10 tons of cocaine.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

Former Coastie and Sheriff’s Major stricken with cancer

by T. Burgess

I read an article  on Houmatoday.com that I thought worth sharing.  I encourage you to read the story because it is indicative of many who have stood the watch and are standing it today.  What makes Coasties in my opinion a little different from their sister services is their ability to become much more connected in many cases with the communities they serve.  In this case, like many – this Coastie stayed in the community he served after leaving the service.  In fact, this former Coasties went on to make great contributions to his community with the Sheriff’s Department.

The U.S. Marine Corps motto of “once a Marine, always a Marine,” is clearly indicative of Mike Elstner’s willingness to be “always ready” for his country and his community.

HOUMA — When you met him, friends say you’d mistake him for a native.

He is now stricken with cancer, and doctors have said he may have just months left to live.

But Mike Elstner, a retired Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office major, came here as a young man to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard, relatives say, and decided to stay in the town where he felt more at home than his native Houston.

Elstner, 68, retired four years ago but continued to work part time at the Sheriff’s Office motor pool, family said.

Read the entire story here.

Rep Kagen comments on GAO investigation of Bollinger FRC Award

by Michael DeKort

From JSOnline

“Last October, Marinette Marine protested an award of a government contract, valued at up to $1.5 billion, for construction of U.S. Coast Guard cutters by a Louisiana company, Bollinger Shipyards Inc.

Bollinger had been involved in a $100 million project that failed only a few years ago. The government never recovered its money from the failed project that was intended to convert Coast Guard 110-foot cutters into 123-foot vessels, according to Marinette Marine executives.

The GAO has until late this month to decide whether the recent contract complied with federal policies and regulations, U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) said Friday.

“My understanding was that Marinette Marine had submitted the lowest bid,” Kagen said. “When you factor in the losses of taxpayer money from (the previous Bollinger project) you would think that would have been a consideration.”

As I noted earlier the GAO’s completion deadline of this protest was moved from January 15th to February 20th. Additionally the investigations of the Deepwater issues by the DHS IG and the DoJ are ongoing.  Maybe the new administration wants all the loose ends tied up at one time?

GAO investigation of FRC award conclusion date extended

by Michael DeKort

From the GAO website.  The deadline was moved from Jan 15th to Feb 9th then to Feb 25th.  My guess is that the new administration wanted the final decision to be made on their watch.  Plus there are ongoing investigations by the DoJ and DHS IG that may go to the previous performance of Bollinger.

Marinette Marine Corporation (HSCG23-07-R-AFR001)
Department of Homeland Security : United States Coast Guard
Quick View Quick view toggle     Outcome: Not Decided     Status: Case Currently Open
Filed Date: November 17, 2008
Due:        February 25, 2009
Case Type:  Bid Protest
GAO Attorney:       John L. Formica
File Number:        400697.3

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass) statement on the passing of Sen. Claiborne Pell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Incoming Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) released the following statement today following the news of the passing of his colleague, mentor, and esteemed former committee chairman, Senator Claiborne Pell:

“Public service was stamped in Claiborne Pell’s DNA. He was a quiet giant and a gentleman to the core, a dignified man who always did what he thought was right. Claiborne Pell will be recorded in history as a leader whose moral compass pointed him to do great things. This was a man born to great privilege whose domestic legacy will always be the Pell Grants which put college within reach for millions who would never have had that chance without his vision. In foreign policy, he was every bit as principled, pushing to end the war in Vietnam and leading the Foreign Relations Committee to support America’s rightful place in the world community. The Pell family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”

Funeral Service Plans of former Coastie Sen. Claiborne Pell

The Service for Sen. Claiborne Pell

The service is open to the public, however, seating is extremely limited.

Doors to [Trinity] Church will not open until 9:00 a.m.

There is no reserved parking and no shuttle service.

Once the church has been filled to capacity, approximately 100 individuals will be allowed access into the overflow section of Honyman Hall. Once capacity is reached in Honyman Hall, there are no other options for viewing within the church vicinity.

Barring technical difficulties, the service will be shown live on C-SPAN 2 as well as on Turnto10.com and WPRI Channel 12, and WPRI.com

SPEAKERS

Reading from the Old Testament – Isaiah 61: 1-3 Dr. Tripler Pell, granddaughter
Psalm 23 – Herbert Claiborne Pell IV, grandson
New Testament – Revelation 21:2-7 – Eames Hamilton Yates, Jr., grandson
New Testament – John 14:1-6 – Christina Pell Randall, granddaughter

Eulogies

Hon. Edward M. Kennedy
Hon. William J. Clinton
Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Hon. Jack Reed
Mr. Nicholas Lorillard Pell, grandson

OceanStateRepubican.com

Coast Guard Academy Alumni and Helo Pilots to Wed

TheDay.com the hometown newspaper of the United States Coast Guard Academy announces two alumni have

Coast Guard Academy

announced thier engagement.  Lt. Catherine Carabine and Lt. Cmdr. Alan Lapenna are both graduates of the Academy and both helocopter pilots as well.  Carbine flies out of Jacksonville, Fl and Lapenna out of Elizabeth City, NC.

Diversity Website in the Spotlight

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Presented by Diversity Military World, LLC, with the full support of the United States Department of Defense, the Diversity Military World Opportunities & Honors 2009 – whose genesis was the Diversity Military World Heritage Expo2008 – will focus on youth who are involved in JROTC, Math and Science programs, and those who have skills but the lack the resources to pursue their dreams.  Opportunities & Honors 2009 will reinforce the rewards of staying focused in order to achieve one’s goals.  The Diversity Military World Opportunities & Honors 2009 also provides an excellent venue to help inspire future generations by teaching and showing courage, commitment and self-determination via the military experience.

Visit Diversity Military World

Commandant of the Coast Guards New Year Message

To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard:

We have witnessed the passing of another year. Proper log entries have been made and the watch continues. For those deployed or standing the watch this holiday season I pass on the thanks of your shipmates and our Nation for your service and sacrifice. We hope that soon you can embrace the arrival of the New Year, restore your personal readiness, and spend time with loved ones. For those fortunate enough to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, I hope you return to your duties having taken time to reflect and refresh.