Rear Admiral Landry reminds Coast Guard Public Affairs

“COAST GUARD PHOTOS AND VIDEO TELL THE SERVICES STORY MORE DRAMATICALLY THAN ANY WRITTEN PRODUCT”

ALCOAST 114/09
COMDTNOTE 5728
SUBJ: ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR EDITING OF COAST GUARD VISUAL IMAGERY
A. 221746Z SEP O8 FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC – ALCOAST 614/08
B. 36 CFR 1228.266, NARA REGULATIONS, AUDIOVISUAL RECORDS
C. 36 CFR 1232, NARA REGULATIONS, AUDIOVISUAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT
D. PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANUAL, COMDTINST M5728.2 (SERIES)
E. 051438Z NOV O8 FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC – ALCOAST 548/08
F. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS STATEMENT OF NEWS VALUES, 01 DEC 05
G. CODE OF ETHICS, SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS, 1996
H. NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION, DIGITAL MANIPULATION
CODE OF ETHICS, 1991
I. ASSOCIATED PRESS STYLEBOOK, 2007
1. TO FURTHER DEFINE PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM STANDARDS AND
PRACTICES AS DETAILED IN REF A, THIS ALCOAST PROVIDES GUIDANCE
REGARDING WHAT CONSTITUTES ACCEPTABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICES
FOR THE EDITING OF OFFICIAL COAST GUARD IMAGERY INTENDED FOR
RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC, THE INTERNET OR BROADCAST AND PRINT PRESS.
THE CONTINUING ADVANCES IN DIGITAL IMAGERY DEVICES AND EDITING
SOFTWARE DEMAND CLEAR GUIDANCE TO HELP ALL COAST GUARD PERSONNEL
MAINTAIN THE HIGH JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY OF THE SERVICES IMAGERY
AND OUR ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ARCHIVING OF
IMAGERY IN REF B AND C. THE EASE AND SPEED WITH WHICH IMAGERY
CAPTURED IN THE FIELD CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PUBLIC, THE
BROADCAST OR PRINT PRESS, THE INTERNET AND OTHER AUDIENCES FURTHER
HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR ALL PERSONNEL TO UNDERSTAND AND ADHERE TO
THE ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR COAST GUARD VISUAL IMAGERY.

Coast Guard Civilian Hiring System Upgraded

The Coast Guard announced in ALCOAST 122/09 that its Civilian Personnel Hiring Management System is being upgraded.  The  Office of Civilian Personnel (CG-121) at Headquarters will be upgrading the current system on Monster Government Solutions to its new Enterprise Version 2.0.

The new version will offer additional functionality to users with interface improvements and a a single sign-on.  Improved integration with USAjobs.com, on-board module for completion of forms and expanded analytics are among the upgrades.

Upgrades are scheduled to occur on March 31st.

Daily Photo: Navy Rescue Swimmer in the Pacific

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 18, 2009) Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Kevin M. Abney, a search and rescue swimmer assigned to the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), jumps from an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter into the Pacific Ocean during a training exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Viramontes/Released)

Deployed Sailors, Marines Prepare for Easter Season

USS Boxer (LHD 4)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Siller, USS Boxer (LHD 4) Public Affairs

USS BOXER At sea (NNS) — In preparation for the Lenten season, Sailors and Marines aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) attended Mass in celebration of Ash Wednesday Feb. 25 in the ship’s library.

According to Boxer’s Catholic chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Phil Creider, although Ash Wednesday is widely observed in the Catholic faith, members of other religious groups were also welcomed and received ashes.

Three services were offered during the day to accommodate different work schedules, with each lasting about an hour. In between Masses, Creider also offered the Sacrament of Penance, for Sailors and Marines.

“I thought it was great. I know that Chaplain Creider is very devoted, so I wasn’t surprised that there were going to be services offered,” said Lt.j.g. Daniel McIlvaine about the opportunity to receive ashes while on deployment.

“The Stations of the Cross, another religious celebration of reading and prayer, is also scheduled in the ship’s chapel every Friday during lent,” said Creider, who has been on board Boxer since March 2008.

“All of Lent is a time for sacrifice and penance,” said Creider. “You don’t have to just give something up anymore; you can also add or change a part of your life.”

Catholic Sailors and Marines on board Boxer are also exempt from fasting from meat on Fridays because they are members of the military, he added.

As Easter Sunday approaches, Boxer’s Command Religious Ministries Department will celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, with the blessing of palms; Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper on Holy Thursday; Good Friday Mass; Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday Mass.

“I’ll certainly make a point of making all of the services I can attend,” said McIlvaine, 24, who grew up in the Catholic church.

Boxer’s Protestant Chaplain, Lt. Russell Martin, said a sunrise service on the flight deck is also scheduled in celebration of Easter Sunday.

Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are currently on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of global maritime security.

BOXESG is comprised of Amphibious Squadron 5, USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719), USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC 21) Detachment 3, Assault Craft Unit 1, Beach Master Unit 1 and Fleet Surgical Team 5.

The 13th MEU is comprised of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 163 (Reinforced), Combat Logistics Battalion 13 and Battalion Landing Team 1/1.

Sector Jacksonville recognizes Sailors helping Sailors

Capt. Paul Thomas, commander Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Fla., and Captain of the Port of Jacksonville poses alongside Duck Jun Kim, captain of the South Korean-flagged merchant ship Auto Banner, and Leo Sherman, a private citizen from Alton, Ill, Monday, March 2, 2009, in Jacksonville. Sherman was rescued by the crew of the Auto Banner approximately 180-miles south of Madagascar Jan. 22, after his sailboat capsized following a storm. U.S. Coast Guard photo/ Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Evanson.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coast Guard thanked the captain and crew of a South Korean-flagged merchant ship for its role in the rescue of an American sailor 180-miles off the coast of Madagascar at a ceremony Monday.

Capt. Paul Thomas, commander Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, and Captain of the Port of Jacksonville delivered remarks to the captain and crew of the South Korean-flagged merchant ship Auto Banner at the Jacksonville Port Authorities Blount Island Terminal. The crew of the Auto Banner rescued Leo Sherman, 56, a native of Alton, Ill., Jan. 22, after the sailboat he was aboard, the Queequeg II, capsized following a severe storm off the coast Madagascar.

Three crewmembers including Sherman aboard the Queequeg II were on a two year voyage around the world when the boat capsized. Sherman was the only survivor.

The Auto Banner is a member of the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System or AMVER, which is a computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. Since 1990, AMVER ships have saved approximately 2,000 lives that may have otherwise been lost.

“AMVER is founded on one of the fundamental principles that guide the lives of the men and women who make their living on the high seas,” said Thomas. “The obligation to assist those in peril on the high seas is paramount to all other concerns, and that response to emergencies knows no boundaries or nationalities.”

The international search effort consisted of resources from the Coast Guard, Air Force, South Africa, and AMVER ships.

Coast Guard Rescues Nick Schuyler

Nick Schuyler

Miami– Crewmembers from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., and the Coast Guard Cutter Tornado rescue Nick Schuyler from an overturned vessel 35 miles west of  Tampa Bay, Fla., Monday, March 2, 2009. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., received a call Sunday around 1:30 a.m. reporting that four friends, Schuyler, Victor “Marquis” Cooper, Corey Smith and William Bleakley did not return from their fishing trip. (Coast Guard photo/Fireman Adam Campbell)

USA Today has an hour by hour account.

Data on Presidential Helicopter found in Iran

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) – Potentially sensitive engineering documents about the U.S. presidential helicopter were found on a computer in Iran after they were inadvertently disclosed by an American defense industry executive, according to a private cybersecurity company.

Second Fleet Marks Its Anniversary with Ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Barrie Barber, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) — The U.S. Navy’s 2nd Fleet, an armada of warships that has served the nation from the Cuban missile crisis to hurricane relief along the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast, celebrated its 63rd anniversary Feb. 27 at Naval Station Norfolk.

“I believe that people who lead and serve in top performing organizations should celebrate their heritage and honor their traditions,” said Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr., commander, 2nd Fleet. “As we celebrate our command’s birthday, we can be proud.

“U.S. 2nd Fleet is focused on executing safe and effective fleet operations, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy,” said Williams.

Camp Lejeune Education Expo & National Job Fair

The Camp Lejeune Education Expo and National Job Fair is schuedule for 2 April 2009 from 0900 to 1400 at the Goettge Memorial Field House.

Sea Service Group Consolidates Sites

“Effective immediately Sea Service Group has redirected the URL www.SeaServiceReport.com to point to www.CoastGuardReport.org, said Jerry Johnson, Managing Partner at SSG.”

Johnson said the decision to eliminate SeaServiceReport was based on resources, readers and a move to focus on the primary site Coast Guard Report.  Coverage of  the other two sea services will continue under the brand name Coast Guard Report and include coverage of foreign sea services.

We really felt the need to focus on a single brand name with the increased demand for news and information at CoastGuardReport over the past several weeks.  Readers more than doubled since a member of the Senior Executive Service named the site in a letter released with the Functional Review of Coast Guards Office of Civil Rights.  Having Booz Allen Hamilton and a member congress make reference to the site has also been a factor in attracting new readers.

Johnson said the that they were able to correlate a direct relationship between  comments left on another Blog covering the Coast Guard and hits on Coast Guard Report.  Statcounter a popular service that tracks user statistics but does not report identities indicated an average 27% increase in hits following each comment left on the other Blog about Coast Guard Report.  We also had another benefit since release of the Booz Allen report, in the form of new sources coming forward.  Sources with first hand knowledge of issues inside Coast Guard and the other services are key to building and reporting issues.  Johns said without sources, it would be impossible to bring some of our stories to readers.

The Group also announced they will begin covering the members of congress that control the purse strings of the three sea services.  We think  it’s important for our readers understand the relationship between the military and the members of congress who work the appropriations and authorizations that support and fund the services, said Johnson.