NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — While on duty overseas during Christmas Day, San Francisco Bay area native Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek W. Weatherly's call from President Obama was a pleasant surprise.
In the Coast Guard's blog Compass, the two conversed on Weatherly's deployments and football. Weatherly is a huge Oakland Raiders fan.
"We talked a lot of football,” Weatherly said. “The Raiders’ overtime win and other NFL games from Saturday.”
Weatherly is one of 10 servicemembers the President called on Christmas Day as part of tradition to thank them for their service.
Weatherly works as a machinery technician with duties as a tactical boat crewmember in the waterside section and provides on-water, anti-terrorism force protection for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay.
Read more about the President's conversation with Weatherly here.
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday the release of its Top 10 video compilation for 2011, highlighting the year's most compelling cases from the work done every day by America's Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard also announced its 2011 Video of the Year contest in which the public is invited to vote for their favorite video. The contest began Thursday, with voting open through Jan. 13, 2012. Starting last Thursday, and continuing through Dec. 31, the Coast Guard's official blog, the Coast Guard Compass, will publish one of the Top 10 videos each day including commentary from a service member who participated in the mission.
Each day of the contest people may vote for their favorite videos by choosing “Like” on the Coast Guard's Facebook page or on the Coast Guard’s YouTube 2011 Videos of the Year playlist.
"The service of Coast Guard men and women is often out of sight of the public occurring offshore, at night or at the height of a ferocious storm at sea, so we are proud to show citizens our Top 10 videos that represent this work," said Capt. Ron LaBrec, chief of Coast Guard public affairs. "We are part of the communities we serve throughout the country. The Coast Guard has the ability to deploy military capability, law enforcement authority and life-saving expertise whenever and wherever needed to safeguard our nation and its citizens."
The Top 10 video compilation includes:
Video of each case, as well as the Top 10 video compilation, is available for viewing and download from the Coast Guard visual information site.
In 2011, the Coast Guard:
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PHOTO RELEASE: OAKLAND, Calif. — Lt. j.g. Marcus Brown, of Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, unloads a vehicle full of toys outside of the Oakland Children's Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. MSST San Francisco held their third annual toy drive outside the Toys "R" Us in Pinole, Calif. and filled up two 25-foot response boats with donated toys. U.S. Coast Guard photo by MSST San Francisco.
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ALAMEDA, Calif.—Some 300 members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and community remembered past Auxiliary members during a ceremony today dedicating a memorial built in their honor at Coast Guard Island.
“I'm humbled and privileged to dedicate this unique memorial to our shipmates—Coast Guard Auxiliarists—who have been laid to rest after years of selfless service to their nation,” said Rear Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo, 11th Coast Guard District commander. “The memorial before us is a fitting tribute that will ensure their tireless dedication, volunteer service, and passion to help the public won't be forgotten. It is also a reminder to our family and friends that they are never far from our thoughts and hearts.”
Built in a semi-circle surrounding the Coast Guard emblem inlaid in concrete, the triangular, granite slabs bear the names of 308 men and women who served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s District 11, Northern Region, and died between 1976 and 2010. Fifty-seven dedicated Auxiliarists, active duty Coast Guard members and civilians volunteered more than 2,000 hours over an eight-year period to make the memorial a reality.
“We are pleased that we finally succeeded in completing this project and are able to honor those who have done so much for the Coast Guard,” said Roger Haynes, vice commander of the Auxiliary’s Past Commander’s Association and project manager since December 2010.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, uniformed volunteer component of Team Coast Guard. Established in 1941, the Coast Guard Auxiliary currently comprises of 38,000 volunteer members nationwide who donate millions of hours in support of Coast Guard missions. The Auxiliary’s District 11, Northern Region, encompasses Northern California, Utah and Nevada.
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| ALAMEDA, Calif. — U.S. Coast Guard bagpiper Dean McFarren plays prior to the presentation of colors during a ceremony dedicating a new memorial honoring deceased Coast Guard Auxiliarists at Coast Guard Island. Built in a semi-circle surrounding the Coast Guard emblem inlaid in concrete, the triangular, granite slabs bear the names of 308 men and women who served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s District 11, Northern Region, and died between 1976 and 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Eng. |
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| ALAMEDA, Calif. — Five triangular, granite slabs built in a semi-circle surrounding the Coast Guard emblem inlaid in concrete honor deceased members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The memorial currently bears the names of 308 men and women who served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s District 11, Northern Region, and died between 1976 and 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Eng. |
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| ALAMEDA, Calif. — Current U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarists admire a new memorial at Coast Guard Island honoring Auxiliarists who have passed away. Built in a semi-circle surrounding the Coast Guard emblem inlaid in concrete, the triangular, granite slabs bear the names of 308 men and women who served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s District 11, Northern Region, and died between 1976 and 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Eng. |
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| ALAMEDA, Calif. — U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist Tony Zocchi points out the name of his father, Jim, on a new memorial at Coast Guard Island honoring Auxiliarists who have passed away. Jim Zocchi served in the Auxiliary for 39 years before passing away on Feb. 10, 2009. Built in a semi-circle surrounding the Coast Guard emblem inlaid in concrete, the triangular, granite slabs bear the names of 308 men and women who served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s District 11, Northern Region, and died between 1976 and 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Eng. |
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SAN FRANCISCO – Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, presented retired Marine Corps. Maj. Gen. James M. “Mike” Myatt with the Meritorious Public Service Award, Nov. 16, 2011, for his extraordinary leadership as Chairman of the San Francisco Fleet Week 2011 committee. Myatt was critical to ensuring Coast Guard and Department of Defense missions and professionalism were showcased at the nation's largest Fleet Week. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Earl H. Potter. SAN FRANCISCO – Retired Marine Corps. Maj. Gen. James M. “Mike” Myatt was presented with the Meritorious Public Service Award Nov. 16, 2011, by Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, for his extraordinary leadership during San Francisco Fleet Week 2011. His tireless dedication and collaboration with all involved made the SFFW 2011 a truly vital community outreach and educational event. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Earl H. Potter. |
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PHOTO RELEASE: MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Cordova, an electrician's mate at Group Humboldt Bay, speaks with a veteran at the Mad River Hospital Adult Day Care Center on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2011. The Mad River Hospital hosts an appreciation ceremony and lunch for veterans annually on Veterans Day. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Group Humboldt Bay.
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MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — Humboldt Bay-based Coast Guard members commemorated women veterans during an event Friday at Arcata Veterans Memorial Hall. The “Honoring Women Veterans” program gathers all local women veterans and recognizes them for their selfless service to their country. This year’s event included women from all armed services, occupational specialties, and ages ranging from 30 to 94 years old. Many in attendance also participated in the WWII Honor Flight Program which departed from the Arcata airport last month. Festivities included speeches from various community members, an emotional tribal drum performance in honor of women warriors, and a luncheon for all attendees. Local Coast Guardsmen helped out with coordinating the event and recognize all WWII veterans by pinning on handmade corsages. The Coast Guard is grateful for all those who have selflessly served their country, and is honored to take part in ceremonies celebrating them. With Veterans Day fast approaching, the Coast Guard would like to say thank you: “Semper Fidelis” “This We’ll Defend” “Honor, Courage, Commitment” “Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do” |
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| ARCATA, Calif. — Petty Officer 2nd Class Jarred Reas pins a corsage on the oldest WWII veteran present at the Veterans Memorial building in Arcata, Calif, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. The annual event, called Honoring Women Veterans, drew an attendance of more than 75 community members to pay respect and join in the camaraderie. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Erika Lundquist. |
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| ARCATA, Calif. — Seaman David White helps a local veteran up the stairs on her way to the Veterans Honoring Women Veterans ceremony, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. The Veterans Memorial building hosted the annual event to recognize and pay respect to women in the community who served their country. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Erika Lundquist. |
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CRESCENT CITY, Calif. – The owner and operator of a 45-foot sailing vessel, the QE II, is safe after it became grounded on a beach six miles north of Crescent City early this morning. The sailor reported that he departed from Hawaii three weeks ago and was on his way to Crescent City, CA, when his boat became grounded in 14-foot breaking surf. His marine radio was not working properly, but he was able to contact his wife on his cell phone. Coast Guard Group Humboldt Bay received the report from his wife at approximate 4 a.m. and immediately launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Humboldt Bay and 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, from Station Humboldt Bay. Due to unsafe hoisting conditions caused by the QE II being tossed violently, the aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer to the nearby beach before departing to refuel. Before the helicopter returned to scene the man had made it safely to shore where the rescue swimmer conducted a health assessment on the sailor, and the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Department sent an all terrain vehicle to bring them both off the beach. The sailor stated that there is no fuel on board and he was making plans to salvage the boat from the beach. The Coast Guard reminds boaters of the importance of having a properly working marine VHF radio, and boaters in distress can contact the Coast Guard on channel 16. Cell phones have been proven as an unreliable form of communication during search and rescue cases. |
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| CRESCENT CITY, Calif. - The 45-foot sailing vessel QE II is grounded on a beach near Crescent City, Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. Coast Guard Group Humboldt Bay received the report of the grounded vessel early this morning, and the one person who was aboard the vessel made it safely to shore. U.S. Coast Guard photo. |
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche returned home to Alameda today after a three-month deployment in the Pacific Ocean during which the cutter and crew interdicted two separate drug smuggling vessels within a 48-hour period.
"It's an honor returning home after our inaugural and successful counter-narcotics patrol. We prevented $25 million dollars worth of illegal narcotics from reaching U.S. shores," said Capt. Kelly Hatfield, commanding officer of Waesche. “The cabability of this ship coupled with the best crew I have ever served with exceeds my expectations on a daily basis. With over 10 years of sea time, I have never experienced a ship that could do so much, so efficiently, and so reliably."
ALAMEDA, Calif. —The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche and its crew return home after a 90-day patrol in the Pacific Ocean. During the deployment, the cutter and crew interdicted two separate drug smuggling vessels within a 48-hour period, which resulted in about 500 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of five suspects. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Coast Guard line-handlers tend to the mooring of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche as it pulls into its homeport of Alameda, after a 90-day patrol in the Pacific Ocean. During the deployment, the cutter and crew interdicted two separate drug smuggling vessels within a 48-hour period, which resulted in about 500 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of five suspects. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
ALAMEDA, Calif. — A crewmember aboard Coast Guard Cutter Waesche greets his family on a Happy Halloween day returning home after a 90-day patrol in the Pacific Ocean. During the deployment, the cutter and crew interdicted two separate drug smuggling vessels within a 48-hour period, which resulted in about 500 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of five suspects. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Line-handlers tend mooring of Coast Guard Cutter Waesche after it pulls into its homeport of Alameda after a 90-day patrol in the Pacific Ocean. During the deployment, the cutter and crew interdicted two separate drug smuggling vessels within a 48-hour period, which resulted in about 500 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of five suspects. Waesche routinely conducts operations from South America to the Bering Sea where their unmatched combination of range, speed, and ability to operate in extreme weather provides the mission flexibility necessary to conduct alien migrant interdiction operations, fisheries protection, search and rescue, counter-narcotics and homeland security operations at great distances from shore keeping threats far from the U.S. mainland. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
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ALAMEDA, Calif. — The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Waesche returns to their homeport at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Oct. 31, 2011. The crew is welcomed home by their families and loved ones just in time to celebrate Halloween after a 3-month patrol in the Pacific Ocean resulting in the seizure of 500 kilograms of cocaine. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Caleb Critchfield.
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