COASTLINE - The e-zine of the Seventh Coast Guard District

Rear Admiral D. Brian Peterman, Seventh District Commander
Captain Wayne E. Justice. Chief of Staff

District PAO
Lt. Anthony Russell

Editor: PA2 Judy Silverstein

Photo Editor: PA3 Beth Reynolds

August - September 2004

HELPING STAY THE COURSE: ANT JAX SPRINGS INTO ACTION

By PA3 Bobby Nash, PADET Mayport

Ant Jax bouy move 2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Petty Officer 3rd Class Coy Whitener uses hand signals to assist the crane operator safely lower a buoy on the deck on a 49-foot buoy utility stern loading boat (BUSL) servicing the area in St. Augustine, Fla. The same boat and crew will service Florida waterways affected by Hurricane Charley.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Coast Guard members of Aids to Navigation Team Jacksonville motored at a stately six knots down a section of Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway. Lined with million dollar homes, expensive boats and grandiose boat docks, overcast weather foreshadowed a busy morning for the team. On board their black 49-foot buoy utility stern loading vessel, or as it’s simply known, the BUSL, the crew was ready for anything in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley's wrath mid August, 2004.

When the eye of Hurricane Charley suddenly changed direction, it hit the southwest coast of Florida slamming into Punta Gorda at 140 mph. Charging across the state it then hit Daytona Beach, Fla., at 90-100 mph. The quick response of ANT Jax led to increased boater safety within mere days. (Full Story)

THE ARMORY: A G-8 NECESSITY

By PA3 Beth Reynolds, PADET St. Petersburg

G8Armory002

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. -MK3 Bentley assembles a weapon during the G8 Summit. USCG photo by PA3 Beth Reynolds

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA. - Where do you store over 65,000 rounds of ammunition, 410 9mm pistols, 90 shotguns, 85 M-16 and 35 M240 machine guns? In a banquet room that usually hosts luncheons and special events.

At least, that is where the Coast Guard established a temporary armory for the G-8 Summit.

The creation of that facility on Jekyll Island was planned by the armory team from Group Mayport in Jacksonville, Fla., led by Chief Gunner's Mate Chad Barber. Gunner's Mate First Class William Coachman, Group Mayport, headed up the north armory site in Savannah, Ga.

Creating a secure, organized armory was a huge task and Barber credits his team with ensuring a smooth and successful operation.

"I have no complaints, they did a great job. I knew they would.” (Full Story)

COAST GUARD KIDS CAMP 2004

By LTjg Eric Willis, Sector San Juan

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - After being whisked away from Puerto Del Ray Marina, Puerto Rico, on a bumpy, three-hour mid-June ferry ride; the 40 campers (mainly Coast Guard members and their kids) unloaded their bags on the docks in Greater Lamashire Bay on the southeast coast of St. Johns Island, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Looking around, they immediately began to forget the busy metropolitan society life and settle into the secluded island life of one of our country’s most beautiful national parks. Beautiful rain forest-like trees and Caribbean blue water surrounded them, and the air smelled like flowers. (Full Story)

CUTTER HONORED FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE AND TRAINING MISSIONS

By Bao Nguyen, D7 Public Affairs

MIAMI - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Gentian received the National Defense Transportation Association's (NDTA) Military Unit Award for exemplary service at the 58^th Annual Transportation and Logistics Forum, Sept. 13 in Milwaukee. (Full Story)

Also in this edition...(click on the title to go to the story)

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN - MIAMI – Phidias Edoh stood proudly in his uniform Aug. 11, 2004. A third class petty officer, he held his right hand over his heart, while the other clenched a miniature American flag. By PA3 Sandi Bartlett, D7 Public Affairs

SAVANNAH SAFE FOR G-8 - SAVANNAH, GA. - The Group of Eight Sea Island Summit, or G8 as it is more commonly known, affected many communities in Georgia. Savannah was no exception. The Coast Guard teamed up with a number of local, state and federal agencies to put into effect a plan designed to protect the city and it’s visitors from harms way. By PA3 Ryan Doss, D7 Public Affairs

COAST GUARDSMAN HONORED BY AMERICAN LEGION - NASHVILLE, TN. - Coast Guard Storekeeper Second Class, Patricia Johnson, stationed at the Marine Safety Office in Charleston, S.C., received the American Legion's Spirit of Service Award.

COASTIE TO RECEIVE AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS - MIAMI - Community role model and mentor recognized for his "American Values". By Bao Nguyen, D7 Public Affairs Assistant

MILESTONE AGREEMENT SIGNED ABOARD CUTTER CONFIDENCE - TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands - At a ceremony on board the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence Aug. 12, the United States and BVI's entered into a historic international agreement. By ENS. Dawn Jospehson, PAO, USCG Cutter Confidence

COAST GUARD AIR STATION CLEARWATER CELEBRATES HISTORIC 50TH YEAR FOR THE C-130 - CLEARWATER, FLA. - Air Station Clearwater and its 550-man crew ushered in the 50th anniversary of the C-130's By Lt. Christopher Kendall, PAO Air Station Clearwater

COAST GUARD AIR STATION MIAMI AND THE VC-4 PART WAYS - MIAMI - The crew of Air Station Miami said farewell to the only VC-4 aircraft in the Coast Guard, a transport plane that conducted logistical operations at the air station for the last 10 years, as it flew to its new home at Air Station Washington, D.C. By Lt. (j.g.) Rob Tucker PAO Air Station Miami

THE COAST GUARD SAYS GOODBYE TO ONE OF ITS OWN - JUPITER, Fla. - Bill Coats said it many times, never really knowing when it would happen. He never doubted that when he crossed over the bar, the Coast Guard would be there to bid farewell to one of their own. By Aux. Edwin Greenfield, PAO Station Lake Worth Inlet

COMPASS TEAM SEARCHES FOR MEMBERS - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Compass Diversity Outreach Program reaches out to minority communities in literally every compass point of American demography. A core team of Coast Guard volunteers, representing a diverse mix of ethnicity, race, gender, rank, rate, age and geographical backgrounds is now staffed by more than 170 people including civilians, active duty, auxiliarists and reservists. By PA2 Judy Silverstein, PADET St. Petersburg.

Your FEEDBACK is always welcome. Click here to provide your thoughts...

printer friendly