Multimedia Releases

Multimedia Release: Coast Guard Pacific Area welcomes new commander

2012-04-27T20:48:10Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown and Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft, along with Master Chief Petty Officer Leilani CaleJones, Pacific Area Command Master Chief, and Capt. Robert Marshall, Pacific Area Chaplain honor a hand-salute during a change-of-command ceremony Friday, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Members of the Coast Guard Color Guard present colors during a change-of-command ceremony Friday, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda. Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft, former assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., relieved Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, as Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, during the time-honored military tradition. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft, former assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, inspect the Honor Platoon during a change-of-command ceremony Friday, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda. The inspection of the crew is a time-honored military tradition that takes place during a change of command ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown and Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft shake hands after Zukunft, former assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., relieved Brown, as Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, during the time-honored military tradition. Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara presided over the ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

Click HERE for a video clip of the change-of-command ceremony.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Coast Guard Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft relieved Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown as Pacific Area commander during a change-of-command ceremony held aboard Coast Guard Island, Friday.

Brown assumed the duties as PACAREA commander in May 2010. During his time as PACAREA commander, Brown oversaw the reconstitution of the PACAREA staff and the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, which included First Lady Michelle Obama as the ship’s sponsor. Brown is heading to Coast Guard Headquarters to assume the duties of Deputy Commandant for Mission Support.

Zukunft, a North Branford, Conn., native, graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1977, with a Bachelor of Science degree in government. He holds a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies and International Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College. Zukunft served as the Federal-On-Scene-Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf where he directed federal, state, and local agencies in response efforts.

The area of responsibility of PACAREA is 74 million square miles ranging from South America, north to the Arctic Circle and west to the Far East.

Multimedia Release: Update 5- Racing yacht rescue at sea stills and video footage

2012-04-02T09:15:34Z

VIDEO

PACIFIC OCEAN — B-Roll footage of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf recovering two injured sailors from a damaged racing yacht 250 miles west of the California coast April 1, 2012. The two sailors were injured after a large wave reportedly struck the 68-foot Geraldton Western Australia (CV6) about 400 miles west of the California coast March 31, 2012 and was followed by more than two days of intense search and rescue operations jointly worked by the Coast Guard, Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing and an AMVER vessel. U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of the Cutter Bertholf.

PHOTOS

PACIFIC OCEAN — Cutter Bertholf's medical specialists attend to two injured sailors Jane Hitchins, 50, and Nik Brbora, 29, who were recovered from a damaged racing yacht 250 miles west of the California coast April 1, 2012. The two were injured after a large wave reportedly struck the 68-foot Geraldton Western Australia (CV6) about 400 miles west of the California coast March 31, 2012 and was followed by more than two days of intense search and rescue operations jointly worked by the Coast Guard, Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing and an AMVER vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Cutter Bertholf.

PACIFIC OCEAN — Crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf's cutter boat are working to recover 2 injured crew from a damaged racing yacht 250 miles west of the California coast April 1, 2012. The two were injured after a large wave reportedly struck the 68-foot Geraldton Western Australia (CV6) about 400 miles west of the California coast March 31, 2012 and was followed by more than two days of intense search and rescue operations jointly worked by the Coast Guard, Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing and an AMVER vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Cutter Bertholf.

PACIFIC OCEAN — A Coast Guard MH-60T medium range helicopter and a cutter boat from the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf respond to a damaged racing yacht 250 miles west of the California coast April 1, 2012. Two sailors were injured after a large wave reportedly struck the 68-foot Geraldton Western Australia (CV6) about 400 miles west of the California coast March 31, 2012 and was followed by more than two days of intense search and rescue operations worked jointly by the Coast Guard, Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing and an AMVER vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Cutter Bertholf.

First Lady sponsors Coast Guard's newest National Security Cutter, Stratton, in commissioning ceremony

2012-04-01T00:27:43Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard placed the country's newest National Security Cutter, the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, into service during a formal ceremony on Coast Guard Island, in Alameda, Saturday.

First Lady Michelle Obama joined in the ceremony as the Stratton's official sponsor, alongside Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp and the Stratton's commanding officer, Captain Charles L. Cashin, III. In July 2010, Mrs. Obama christened the ship where it was built in Pascagoula, Miss. Today, she ceremoniously placed the cutter into service.

Stratton is named for Capt. Dorothy Stratton, who became the first director of the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, known as the SPARs, in 1942. Approximately 40 SPAR veterans attended today's commissioning ceremony and were recognized for their service.

Stratton is the Coast Guard's third 418-foot Legend-Class National Security Cutter and the first of its class to be named for a woman. These new cutters are replacing the 378-foot Hamilton-class cutters that were commissioned between 1967 and 1972. Legend-class cutters have more endurance and state-of-the-art systems that enhance the Coast Guard’s interoperability with Department of Defense and Homeland Security partners.

Among its many missions, the Stratton will provide a presence in the Pacific Ocean near Central and South America to protect the United States from illegal drugs and associated transnational crime. Stratton will also patrol the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea to protect these fishing grounds from poachers, ensure compliance with U.S. fishing regulations and respond to mariners in distress.

For our online media kit, click here.

VIDEO

ALAMEDA, Calif. – First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Robert J. Papp and Capt. Charles L. Cashin III, commanding officer of the Cutter Stratton deliver remarks during the ship commissioning ceremony Saturday, March 31, 2012. The Stratton is named for Coast Guard Capt. Dorothy C. Stratton, who served as director of the Coast Guard Women's Reserve - also known as the SPARs - during World War II. The Stratton is the third of eight planned National Security Cutters and is the first of its class named for a woman. A commissioning is a formal ceremony where a ship is placed into active service and begins to function as a command. Video includes interviews with SPARs who attended the ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard video by District 11 Public Affairs.

PHOTOS

ALAMEDA, Calif. - First Lady Michelle Obama congratulates Melinda Cook, the grandniece of U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Dorothy Stratton during the commissioning ceremony of the Cutter Stratton on Coast Guard Island, March 31, 2012. The Stratton is named for Capt. Stratton, who served as director of the Coast Guard Women's Reserve - also known as the SPARs - during World War II. The Cutter Stratton is the third of eight planned National Security Cutters and is the first of its class named for a woman. A commissioning is a formal ceremony where a ship is placed into active service and begins to function as a command. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Rachel Polish.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- First Lady Michelle Obama and Coast Guard Capt. Charles Cashin, the Stratton's commanding officer, applaud after placing the Stratton into commission during an event at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, March 30, 2012. The Stratton is named for Capt. Stratton, who served as director of the Coast Guard Women's Reserve - also known as the SPARs - during World War II. The Cutter Stratton is the third of eight planned National Security Cutters and is the first of its class named for a woman. A commissioning is a formal ceremony where a ship is placed into active service and begins to function as a command. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Barry Bena.

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The First Lady Michelle Obama covers her heart while Adm. Robert J. Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, renders a salute during the National Anthem at the commissioning ceremony of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton on Coast Guard Island, March 31, 2012. A "commissioning" is a formal ceremony where the ship is placed into active service and begins to function as a command. The Cutter Stratton is the Coast Guard’s first National Security Cutter to be named after a woman and is the third of the planned eight NSC's. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Barry Bena.

ALAMEDA, Calif. - First Lady Michelle Obama and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp applaud during the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton's commissioning ceremony in Alameda, Calif., March 31, 2012. Michelle Obama is the official sponsor of Stratton and is the first First Lady to sponsor a Coast Guard cutter. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Senior Chief Petty Officer David Stephens escorts First Lady Michelle Obama arrives at the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton before the ship's commissioning ceremony in Alameda, Calif., March 31, 2012. Michelle Obama is the official sponsor of Stratton and is the first First Lady to sponsor a Coast Guard cutter. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

ALAMEDA, Calif. - First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, tour the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton before the ship's commissioning ceremony in Alameda, Calif., March 31, 2012. Michelle Obama is the official sponsor of Stratton and is the first First Lady to sponsor a Coast Guard cutter. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.

For more photos of the Cutter Stratton Commissioning and related events, visit the Coast Guard Imagery website at http://cgvi.uscg.mil

SOCIAL MEDIA:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t3DrVcYjQk

Facebook: USCG Pacific SW

Official Coast Guard Blog: http://www.uscg.mil

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MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard District 11 Region names active duty and reserve enlisted people of the year

2012-03-12T19:57:02Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Two California-based Coast Guard Petty Officers were chosen as the Active Duty Enlisted Person of the Year (EPOY) and Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year (REPOY) for the 11th Coast Guard District region during a recognition banquet Friday at Coast Guard Island in Alameda.

Last year's Reserve Enlisted Petty Officer of the Year, Petty Officer First Class William M. Hilt, announced the following D11 regional winners chosen from 33 nominees:

Boatswains Mate Second Class Calogero A. Lograsso, stationed at Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin in Santa Barbara as the Active Duty EPOY
Machinery Technician Second Class Michael A. Caliguire, assigned to the Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, Novato as the Reservist EPOY

These regional winners are eligible for national honors along with their peers from other regions around the nation. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard will recognize the national winners at an event in Washington, D.C., tentatively set for the week of May 7.

“I’m proud of Petty Officers Lograsso's and Caliguire's accomplishments, their leadership and their unwavering commitment to serve their community—they are the Coast Guard’s success stories,” said Rear Adm. Joseph "Pepe" Castillo, 11th District Commander. “EPOY is one of the many ways we recognize our stellar performers; this is a special occasion where our members’ community – their home away from home – derive a benefit from their leadership and performance learned in the Coast Guard.”

The EPOY program recognizes exceptional men and women in the Coast Guard’s enlisted workforce who are top performers. Considered as the “best and brightest” from the field, these individuals are selected by a panel of senior enlisted members who evaluate each nominee against a set of established criteria that includes performance, work ethics, military bearing, standards of conduct and a strong community service commitment.

Although it encompasses an area of responsibility to include California, Arizona and Nevada, the 11th Coast Guard District is part of a larger Bay Area presence of Coast Guard members who number approximately 4,000 serving at rescue boat stations, buoy tenders, air stations, cutters, training centers, and regional headquarters that coordinate operations throughout the Pacific. Coast Guard men and women here perform a variety of missions, including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine safety inspections, protection of fisheries, aids-to-navigation, port security and anti-terrorism patrols, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, and environmental protection.

VIDEO- click to view on cgvi.uscg.mil

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Highlights and interviews from the Active Duty and Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year recognition ceremony where Petty Officers Calogero A. Lograsso and Michael A. Caliguire were selected as regional winners March 9, 2011 in Alameda, Calif. The EPOY and REPOY program recognizes top performers in the Coast Guard who serve as role models and making a lasting impression in the communities they serve and live in. U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

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PHOTOS- click to download from cgvi.uscg.mil

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Coast Guard District 11 Region senior leaders Command Master Chief Charles “Rob” Bushey and Rear. Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo flank petty officer second class Michael A. Caliguire who was named Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year March 9, 2011 at a recognition banquet in Alameda, Calif. The EPOY and REPOY program recognizes top performers in the Coast Guard who serve as role models and making a lasting impression in the communities they serve and live in. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman David A. Flores

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Coast Guard District 11 Region senior leaders Command Master Chief Charles “Rob” Bushey and Rear. Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo flank petty officer second class Calogero A. Lograsso who was named Active Duty Enlisted Person of the Year March 9, 2011 at a recognition banquet in Alameda, Calif. The EPOY and REPOY program recognizes top performers in the Coast Guard who serve as role models and making a lasting impression in the communities they serve and live in. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman David A. Flores

MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Lt. Dan Band rocks Coast Guard Island, Sinise tours national security cutter

2012-03-05T16:34:29Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band played for a packed house of military members, veterans and their families in Coast Guard Island in Alameda Friday following a tour on the National Security Cutter Waesche.

Sinise played lead guitar and sang out the vocals of classic and contemporary hits to a crowd of more tha 600 revelers who filled the Emlen Tunnell Gymnasium.

"We are extremely honored to have Mr. Sinise, the Lt. Dan Band, and Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Dix on board for this event," said Rear Adm. Joseph "Pepe" Castillo, the 11th Coast Guard District commander. "Our military members give so much of themselves and sometimes make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation and an event like this is great morale boost. I also thank the USO and TriWest for sponsoring this event."

Hours before the concert, Sinise, accompanied by Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance David McIntyre, toured the Cutter Waesche and lunched with its crew. Sinise spoke to them about his travels with the band and his strong support for the military through his charitable foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation.

"I've been doing a lot of USO traveling for the troops, visiting our wounded and helping military families, meeting a lot of wonderful people along the way," said Sinise. "We're trying to good things in behalf of our military, so eventually I just decided after all that work and all those relationships... to start the Gary Sinise Foundation to help the military, their families and first responders... which was the next logical step."

Vice Adm. Manson Brown, Pacific Area Commander who accompanied Sinise, thanked him for visiting Coast Guard Island. He also encouraged the Waesche crew to enjoy the concert.

The United Services Organization (USO) and Tricare sponsored the concert and since 2004, the band has performed for more than 230,000 military members in the United States and overseas.

VIDEO

ALAMEDA, Calif. –- President and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance David McIntyre, Rear Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo, 11th Coast Guard District Commander, Actor and Lt. Dan Band bassist Gary Sinise and Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix meet and greet during media availability before the concert; Lt. Dan Band played to a packed house at Coast Guard Base Alameda Friday, March 2, 2012 . The USO and TriWest Healthcare Alliance are sponsoring the concert tour with stops at many U.S. military bases including Base Alameda. U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Sarah Foster.

VIDEO

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Actor and Lt. Dan Band bassist Gary Sinise, tours and meets the crew of the National Security Cutter Waesche in Alameda Calif., Friday, March 2, 2012. The USO and TriWest Healthcare Alliance are sponsoring the concert tour with stops at many U.S. military bases including Base Alameda. U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Sarah Foster.

PHOTO

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Gary Sinise and youngsters jam on stage during a Lt. Dan Band concert. Sinise and the band played for a packed house at Coast Guard Base Alameda Friday, March 2, 2012. The USO and TriWest Healthcare Alliance are sponsoring the concert tour with stops at many U.S. military bases including Base Alameda. U.S.Coast Guard photo by Seaman David Flores.

More downloadable photos and videos at Coast Guard Visual Imagery http://cgvi.uscg.mil

Video-

Sinise Coast Guard Greeting

Photo-

Sinise tours the Waesche

@the Lt. Dan Band concert (1)

@the Lt. Dan Band concert (2)

@the Lt. Dan Band concert (3)

@the Lt. Dan Band concert (4)

State of the Coast Guard Address delivered in Alameda

2012-02-24T00:24:35Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Bob Papp, delivers the State of the
Coast Guard address aboard Coast Guard Base Alameda, Calif., Feb. 23, 2012. The State
of the Coast Guard is the Commandant's annual address to the Coast Guard community
about progress on the Commandant's Direction 2011, assessing the current strategic
environment and to describe the way ahead for the service.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3^rd Class Caleb Critchfield.

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Bob Papp, delivers the State of the
Coast Guard address aboard Coast Guard Base Alameda, Calif., Feb. 23, 2012. The State of the
Coast Guard is the Commandant's annual address to the Coast Guard community about progress
on the Commandant's Direction 2011, assessing the current strategic environment and to
describe the way ahead for the service. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3^rd Class Barry Bena.

More on State of the Coast Guard (informational links):

COMPASS Blog: Adm. Papp delivers 2nd State of the Coast Guard address

State of the Coast Guard transcript

VIDEO: On-demand viewing

MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: "Mothball Fleet" helps with disaster response training, fuel conservation

2012-02-16T23:41:04Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Novato-based Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, a national-level contingency response organization, led fuel-transfer operations at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet in Benicia, Calif., Wednesday as part of fuel conservation efforts and hands-on training for disaster response.

Thirty-two members of the team worked all week starting Feb. 6 and wrapped up Friday to prep, set-up and deploy equipment aboard the decommissioned Navy class fleet oiler Kawishiwi. As part of helping the Maritime Administration with recyling fuel, the strike team’s goal was to lighter approximately 30,000 gallons of fuel onto a shipyard fuel barge alongside the oiler.

“This operation allows our crew to train in a controlled environment for our all-hazards response; oil spill and HAZMAT response that we specialize in,” said Lt. j.g. Mandy Le Monde, the lightering team's response officer. "In addition, we're helping provide a service to MARAD in removing fuel off these mothball vessels so they can re-use them for future operations.

Kawishiwi is one of several decommissioned vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet also known as its moniker of the “mothball fleet." The strike team has successfully lightered several ships in the fleet while using these real scenarios to keep their skills fresh and to increase their hands-on experience.

As one of the three elements of the Coast Guard National Strike Force, the Pacific Strike Team’s military professionalism, logistics and management expertise and extensive training is critical to effective disaster response. They are recognized worldwide as expert authorities in preparing for, and responding to disasters resulting from oil emissions, hazardous substance discharges, weapons of mass destruction events, and many other contingencies.

BENICIA, Calif. — Petty Officer 2nd class Angela G. Korenko and Petty Officer 2nd class Mark J. Wickman, both machinery technicians stationed at the Pacific Strike Team in Novato, Calif., pay out messenger lines to hoist the fuel pump out of the fuel tank of the decommissioned Navy ship Kawishiwi, Feb. 8, 2012. The Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team is working with the Maritime Administration to safely lighter fuel off ships from the "mothball fleet" in Suisun Bay. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Sarah Foster.

BENICIA, Calif. — Chief Warrant Officer Shane M. Barrington, a chief warrant officer assigned to the Pacific Strike Team in Novato, Calif., holds the main drainage hose running along the deck coming from the fuel source during the transfer of fuel from a decommissioned Navy ship to a fuel barge, February 8, 2012. The Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team is working with the Maritime Administration to safely lighter fuel off ships from the "mothball fleet" in Suisun Bay. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Brandee Holcomb.

BENICIA, Calif. — Interviews with Pacific Strike Team response officer Lt. j.g. Amanda Le Monde and response supervisor Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Shannon overseeing the lightering operations and training aboard the decommissioned Navy class fleet oiler Kawishiwi Feb. 8, 2012. The strike team is working with the Maritime Administration to safely lighter fuel off ships from the "mothball fleet" in Suisun Bay as part of fuel conservation and disaster response training. U.S. Coast Guard video by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Inaugural homecoming for Coast Guard's third National Security Cutter

2011-12-21T20:00:55Z

SAN FRANCISCO - The Coast Guard Cutter Stratton steams by Alcatraz Island during it's arrival into San Francisco, Dec. 19, 2011. The newest National Security Cutter made it's way into the Bay Area toward it's new home of Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Barry Bena.

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, welcomes Capt. Charles L. Cashin, Coast Guard Cutter Stratton commanding officer, and the crew of Stratton to their new homeport of Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Dec. 19, 2011. The Stratton arrived to Coast Guard Island and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard cutter Stratton moored at Pier 27 in San Francisco to pick up family and friends before heading to their new homeport of Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Dec. 19, 2011. Family and friends also welcomed the cutter at the Coast Guard Island Pier with signs and holiday music. The Stratton is scheduled to be commissioned in 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif.- Petty Officer 1st Class Marika L. Benggio, a crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, and daughter Makaila stand on the flight deck of Stratton patiently waiting to head to their new homeport of Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Dec. 19, 2011. The Stratton arrived to Coast Guard Island and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

For video of the Stratton's arrival into the San Francisco Bay, click HERE.

The Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, named for Dorothy C. Stratton, is the third of eight planned Legend Class cutters following the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf and Waesche.

The 418-foot cutter has a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles and a crew of 110. It's equipped with a 4,000 square-foot flight deck that is outfitted with an automated landing and dual track hangaring system.

Stratton is also equipped with two Short Range Prosecutor small boats that can be deployed and recovered from the stern launch system, increasing the ability to launch and recover boats in heavy seas.

The cutter's sponsor is Michelle Obama, the first First Lady to sponsor a Coast Guard cutter. On July 23, 2010 Michelle Obama christened the cutter in a ceremony at the ship builder's. The ship will be commissioned at a ceremony on Coast Guard Island in March.

For more information about Dorothy C. Stratton

http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/DStrattonBio.asp

CGC Stratton website:

http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgcStratton/

MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Guard cutter Bertholf returns home after successful patrol

2011-12-16T23:31:03Z

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Katja and Madeline Rothdeutsch, daughters of Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Rothdeutsch, greet Petty Officer Rothdeutsch with open arms and a picture they made for him while he was away. Petty Officer Rothdeutsch is a crewmember aboard the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf, a 418-foot National Security Cutter. The Bertholf returned to its homeport of Alameda, December 16, 2011, after a two-month patrol to the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2^nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard cutter Bertholf, a 418-foot National Security Cutter, returned to its homeport December 16, 2011, after a successful two-month patrol to the Eastern Pacific. Family and friends waited patiently to greet their loved ones aboard the Bertholf, just in time for the Holidays. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2^nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Tesia and Everleigh Clark, wife and daughter of Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Clark, patiently wait for his arrival. Petty Officer Clark is a crewmember aboard the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf, a 418-foot National Security Cutter. The Bertholf returned to its homeport of Alameda, December 16, 2011, after a two-month patrol to the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2^nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard cutter Bertholf, a 418-foot National Security Cutter, returns to its homeport December 16, 2011 after a successful two-month patrol to the Eastern Pacific. Family and friends waited patiently to greet their loved ones aboard the Bertholf, just in time for the Holidays. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2^nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.

For video of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf's arrival, click HERE.

MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Elfie Larkin - a century of living and still giving

2011-12-09T00:54:07Z

Feature story by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

Oakland, Calif. — At the Oakland Zoo where Elfie Larkin volunteered as a docent for more than 32 years following her World War II service in the Coast Guard and as an educator in the Bay Area, she encountered a surprise late in the afternoon.

More than 160 people surrounded the sprightly centenarian at the Snow Building to celebrate her 100^th birthday. She was absolutely thrilled at the surprise celebration held in her honor.

“Oh…I’m so amazed there’s so many people here,” she cried. “This is the proudest moment of my life.”

Larkin is remarkably in good health as one of the country’s approximately 53,000 centenarians and as one of the less than 2 million World War II veterans remaining. Yet more endearingly, Larkin enjoys her role as one of the elite group of military trailblazers — the SPARS (Semper Paratus, Always Ready) — the first generation of Coast Guard women to be integrated into the Armed Forces. She signed up in 1943 and was honorably discharged at the end of the war in 1945. When in good company with her fellow SPARs and with her Coast Guard family at military events, she eagerly shares her wonderful memories of when she served, telling them with much love and humor.

“If you visited the Oakland Zoo at least once since 1977, you may have met one of the first and most beloved docents at the zoo, Elfie Larkin,” wrote MaCarthur Metro news writer Larry Laverty in a tribute to Larkin. “And if you followed the advancement of women professionally in our society and especially here in the Bay Area, you might have met the dedicated woman of service to others, a veteran of the United States Coast Guard who served actively during World War II: Elfie Larkin.”

The birthday celebration also coincided with the Pearl Harbor Day survivor event at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, a few miles below her Oakland Hills neighborhood and a few hours before. Her Pearl Harbor connection came more than three years after the attack when she was stationed in Mauna Loa Ridge on the island of Oahu as a radio operator. During her short stint there, she saw remnants of Pearl Harbor’s devastation that made her sad, but stirred her patriotism.

“It was a mess,” recalled Larkin. “I’ve always been patriotic and I love my country; it made me even prouder to serve to help make a difference.”

With her Coast Guard family present, a color guard kicked off the celebration, followed by the showering of gifts by family, friends. From the Coast Guard, Master Chiefs Leilani Cale-Jones, Charles “Rob” Bushey and retired Vice Adm. Jody Brekenridge presented her with a flag flown from the newest cutter Stratton and a crew T-shirt.

“Thank you for being my friends and for making my life happy, said Larkin after she blew out the single candle on her massive birthday cake. “You are the reason why I have come to be 100 years old…you are the people that matter and mean so much to me.”

Surrounded by the love of those whose lives she touched, the formula to Elfie Larkin’s longevity is no secret. She lived a life “gifting” everyone around her with love and passion for learning as an educator, joyfully teaching about the natural world as a docent for the zoo, and making a difference during war serving in the military.

Informational link:

Media kit on Elfie Larkin's centenarian celebration

More photos:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1473326
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1474020
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1473332

PHOTO

Oakland, Calif. – Centenarian Elfie Larkin, a Coast Guard World War II veteran and SPAR, react with amazement at a surprise birthday event held in honor of her milestone Dec. 7, 2011. More than 160 people helped Larkin celebrate her 100th birthday at the Oakland Zoo where she volunteered as a docent. USCG photo by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

Oakland, Calif. – Centenarian Elfie Larkin, a Coast Guard World War II veteran and SPAR, is flanked by Coast Guard Command Master Chiefs Leilani Cale-Jones (left) and Charles “Rob” Bushey (right) during a surprise event held in her honor Dec. 7, 2011. More than 160 people helped Larkin celebrate her 100th birthday at the Oakland Zoo where she volunteered as a docent. USCG photo by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

Oakland, Calif. – Centenarian Elfie Larkin, a Coast Guard World War II veteran and SPAR, admires her birthday cake during a surprise event held in her honor Dec. 7, 2011. More than 160 people helped Larkin celebrate her 100th birthday at the Oakland Zoo where she volunteered as a docent. USCG photo by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

VIDEO

Oakland, Calif. – Centenarian Elfie Larkin, a Coast Guard World War II veteran and SPAR, react with amazement at a surprise birthday event held in honor of her milestone Dec. 7, 2011. Video includes program highlights during the event. More than 160 people helped Larkin celebrate her 100th birthday at the Oakland Zoo where she volunteered as a docent. U.S. Coast Guard video by: Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster, Petty Officers Caleb Critchfield and Pamela Boehland