tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52183621074203933952024-03-05T23:39:06.555+00:00State of the Coast GuardMy thoughts regarding the current state of the USCGCuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-10072830416471706792008-04-14T23:49:00.003+01:002008-04-14T23:52:21.527+01:00Finally, Ice is Important AgainMuch like the <span style="font-style: italic;">Cosco Busan</span> incident brought back to the limelight the under-publicized environmental response mission of the Coast Guard (I'll have to remember to post some of the final decision documents detailing the Coast Guard's lack of fault in the incident), the melting of the polar ice caps and the potential for increasing vessel traffic and sovereignty issues in the upper part of North America has lead Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen to bring back into focus the aging fleet of US Polar Icebreakers. <a href="http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/04/coast-guard-eye.html">Wired (not David Axe) has the story...</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-11477866260440989132008-04-14T17:43:00.003+01:002008-04-14T17:45:00.245+01:00Code Pink needs a Code RedFor anyone that's seen <span style="font-style: italic;">A Few Good Men</span>, they may recall one of it's more controversial topics...the purported use of "Code Red" incidents, or over-the-line hazing incidents in the Marine Corps. The Code Pink organization needs a Code Red, or some significant action, to wake them up. <a href="http://www.military.com/news/article/code-pinks-hoax-makes-some-seeing-red.html?col=1186032325324">Read on...</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-51455898106098436272008-04-14T17:36:00.003+01:002008-04-14T17:39:12.489+01:00Coast Guard represented among Olympic torch-bearers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.military.com/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=image%2Fjpeg&blobheadervalue2=inline%3Bfilename%3DCoastGuarsmenCarriesFlame-041108.jpg&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1199685682920&ssbinary=true"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://images.military.com/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=image%2Fjpeg&blobheadervalue2=inline%3Bfilename%3DCoastGuarsmenCarriesFlame-041108.jpg&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1199685682920&ssbinary=true" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />23-year old SN Mallory Schafer was selected by the San Francisco Olympic Relay Committee, A Sustainable Journey, as one of the bearers of the Olympic flame during the torch's journey through San Francisco. Read the full article on <a href="http://www.military.com/news/article/coast-guard-news/coast-guardsman-carries-olympic-flame.html?col=1186032366581">Military.com</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-58708646056140866382008-04-07T09:24:00.003+01:002008-04-07T09:25:59.073+01:00Morro Bay F/V locatedI have been following the case of the F/V <span style="font-style: italic;">Wild Thing</span> for a few days, ever since my other half worked the initial SAR call. Turns out an Air Force helo from Moffett Field in the San Francisco area located and boarded the fishing vessel, where they discovered that the operator was missing. <a href="http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-air-force-board-missing-fishing-boat/2008/04/06/">CGNews has the full story...</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-24450729626725316642008-04-07T09:17:00.003+01:002008-04-07T09:22:31.250+01:00First RB-M to enter service at STA Little CreekAlright, you all know I'm a huge fan of <a href="http://www.responseboatproject.net/">this boat</a>. In fact, it may be one of the things that keeps me in the boat driver community for a while. I did a short write-up on some of the <a href="http://curiouspatriot.blogspot.com/2008/03/response-boat-medium.html">capabilities</a> a while back, and I am excited to see this thing finally in service. The Hampton Roads Pilot mentions the <a href="http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/coast-guard-debut-new-small-boat-today-little-creek">operational debut of the Response Boat - Medium</a> to take place this afternoon at Coast Guard Station Little Creek. I'm waiting patiently for my turn...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://hamptonroads.com/files/images/74041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://hamptonroads.com/files/images/74041.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-37491673359724471132008-03-31T11:36:00.003+01:002008-03-31T11:37:37.955+01:00Midgett Commander Relieved after Striking Enlisted WatchstanderSomehow this escaped most of my usual Coastie news sources. Capt Lee Alexander, Commanding Officer of the Cutter <span style="font-style: italic;">Midgett</span> was relieved for cause due to an incident where he <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/357018_midgett30.html">struck an enlisted security watchstander</a>. Capt Alexander has requested retirement from the Service.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-167895433984345982008-03-30T12:53:00.001+01:002008-03-30T12:54:30.045+01:00San Francisco Gives Props to the Auxiliary<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/29/BA1IVSDBA.DTL">Check it out</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-1220010165388853162008-03-27T21:03:00.004+00:002008-03-27T21:07:37.976+00:00Bears & DolphinsNo, it's not a football game. It's a different game, played day by day in the Caribbean Sea. Hercules also had a starring role in this drama:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://llnw.image.cbslocal.com/31/2008/03/27/320x240/cocaineseizure2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://llnw.image.cbslocal.com/31/2008/03/27/320x240/cocaineseizure2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The cutter <span style="font-style: italic;">Bear</span>, with it's embarked MH-65C helicopter, worked to recover 3200 pounds of cocaine dumped by a fleeing drug smuggler. <a href="http://cbs4.com/local/coast.guard.cocaine.2.686032.html">Local 10 news</a> has the full story.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-32389276562493418762008-03-27T15:18:00.001+00:002008-03-27T15:19:50.387+00:00Remembering<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIcgr0kpe1Jk-hz0oXzdwmQRv96emkdsk_oyKHBu2e392szB2R3oxHQEEWQfAsydsYKOGQI8m0KFMUzhiUwQN0Hkl9LlESVvlnmiYXVaBXILyx4qRIpY_BgJiuvpbyC4p9D2hJeb_WSY/s1600-h/0326081814.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIcgr0kpe1Jk-hz0oXzdwmQRv96emkdsk_oyKHBu2e392szB2R3oxHQEEWQfAsydsYKOGQI8m0KFMUzhiUwQN0Hkl9LlESVvlnmiYXVaBXILyx4qRIpY_BgJiuvpbyC4p9D2hJeb_WSY/s200/0326081814.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182441446779092514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It's been two years Dad, and I still have a hard time accepting that you're gone. Know that you are loved, and missed...<br /></div>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-36246721378877101342008-03-27T15:15:00.003+00:002008-03-27T15:18:27.104+00:00No More Morning DewIn a rescue effort that highlighted enhanced response in the days since the <span style="font-style: italic;">Morning Dew</span> incident, Coast Guard Station Hobucken, NC and Air Station Elizabeth City combined efforts for the rescue of a couple and their pets (two dogs and a bird) from their sinking sailboat, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Linger While</span>. Portsmouth's Wavy 10 has the <a href="http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=8073558&nav=menu45_2">story</a>.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-42929054995319872802008-03-24T14:58:00.003+00:002008-03-27T15:37:44.933+00:004 Dead, 1 Injured in AlaskaFrom the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/23/alaska.boat/index.html?eref=rss_topstories">CNN feed</a>...<br /><br />4 crewmembers are dead, and 1 missing in the sinking of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Alaska Ranger</span>, a fishing boat based out of Seattle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/US/03/23/alaska.boat/art.ranger.ap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/US/03/23/alaska.boat/art.ranger.ap.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Alaska Ranger, in a file photo</span><br /><br />The fishing vessel began taking on water early on Sunday morning, and eventually the order was given to abandon ship. 25 crewmembers were recovered by the nearby fishing vessel <span style="font-style: italic;">Alaska Warrior</span>. The remainder of the crew were recovered by the Coast Guard. The cutter <span style="font-style: italic;">Munro</span>, as well as several aircraft, were participating in the search and recovery.<br /><br />EDIT: Chicago Tribune has a good article on the story <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-alaska-ship-rescue_thumar27,1,1620478.story">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/US/03/23/alaska.boat/art.uscg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 160px;" src="http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/US/03/23/alaska.boat/art.uscg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />Alaska Ranger</span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> crew after rescue on <span style="font-style: italic;">Munro</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-38495201774431952002008-03-21T20:47:00.002+00:002008-03-21T20:55:45.765+00:00Use of Semi-Submersibles as Drug Smuggling Craft on the RiseAccording a new article from <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/20/drug.subs/">CNN International</a>, drug smugglers are adapting to Coast Guard and DEA tactics for apprehending and stopping drug smuggling vessels at sea. In recent years, the use of semi-submersible vessels, assembled at great cost in pieces in the Columbian jungle, was a microcosm of the overall smuggling enterprise. Today, the use of difficult to detect, harder to stop submersibles is becoming more common. Adm. Thad Allen said that the Coast Guard's counter-narcotics efforts are witnessing more of these vessels, and intelligence officials expect the number to rise. What's next?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">See video of a semi-sub intercept <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/20/drug.subs/#cnnSTCVideo">here</a>.</span>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-68627434250834356032008-03-17T16:07:00.002+00:002008-03-17T16:10:24.112+00:00Join the Coast Guard!The Canadian Coast Guard, that is. Seems our friends to the North are <a href="http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/business/story.html?id=64688c8d-8cc8-4a5c-a8be-b4be3c89d7ac&k=18562">looking for a few good men (or women)</a> to fill their ranks. Maybe dual-citizenship could have its perks?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:40Smbt0bHliHaM:http://www.pacificshipwrecks.ca/english/images/coast_guard.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 131px;" src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:40Smbt0bHliHaM:http://www.pacificshipwrecks.ca/english/images/coast_guard.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-46424183017287114092008-03-17T16:00:00.001+00:002008-03-17T17:04:55.480+00:00Eagle's Rich History<a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct-fea--shipmemories0316mar16,0,5574122.story">Read Along</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJfHA3q-sgQ974JmVQg3Rh_bUFsM6xWZjujGkblxLpj2ZThKWa819I5GCZa4kKWbSQ6OZvTGXsbgokikwlR5R_O2MJ7pKFvZh3bN6n5R-JXZJyHUiBTNwHx8vuWkwfusTqX4YJsCcdTk/s1600-h/eagletopgallant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJfHA3q-sgQ974JmVQg3Rh_bUFsM6xWZjujGkblxLpj2ZThKWa819I5GCZa4kKWbSQ6OZvTGXsbgokikwlR5R_O2MJ7pKFvZh3bN6n5R-JXZJyHUiBTNwHx8vuWkwfusTqX4YJsCcdTk/s200/eagletopgallant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178757588450551714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(From my own collection)<br /></span></div>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-58142559212572942922008-03-17T15:54:00.002+00:002008-03-17T15:58:23.440+00:00Coast Guard Seeking Help of Local VolunteersIt seems the backlash from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Cosco Busan</span> incident is finally taking hold, but not where you might expect. In one of the most overlooked areas in which the Coast Guard operates, the Operations Controllers (Search and Rescue coordinators) from Sector Buffalo are seeking to organize with local volunteer agencies to allow for quicker response to environmental hazards, such as oil spills. The St. Lawrence River is a world-renowned freshwater boating paradise, and the 2 small USCG units that patrol and protect the area do not have the equipment or capabilities to handle a large-scale oil or other spill. Hopefully, we will see this take root in other areas. <a href="http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20080316/NEWS03/824720255">Article</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-14008532683645732862008-03-10T15:38:00.002+00:002008-03-10T15:42:28.790+00:00Good Article on the Recovery of the Cougar AceI remember hearing back in '06 about the sinking of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Cougar Ace</span>, a car carrying RO/RO cargo ship that I have waved to during its passage into San Diego, delivering cars from British Columbia. What I never heard about was the work that went into the salvage of the ship, the Coast Guard's rescue of the crew, and the loss of one of the salvage workers. <a href="http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-03/ff_seacowboys?currentPage=0">This</a> is a great writeup on Wired.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-16121044139317853052008-03-08T00:26:00.003+00:002008-03-08T00:33:27.225+00:00Cutter Dallas Loses Go-Fast Due to Faulty LightsIn a further testament to the antiquity of Coast Guard assets and mounting difficulties in meeting maintenance requirements, Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen testified on Thursday that the Coast Guard Cutter <span style="font-style: italic;">Dallas</span> out of Charleston, South Carolina was forced to give up chase on a go-fast due to faulty landing gear lights. Coast Guard shipboard aviation policy does not allow for the launch of embarked aircraft without operational flight deck lights, and the time necessary to effect repairs on the flight deck lights on this 41 year-old cutter cost them the go-fast. The 40-knot fast boat escaped the <span style="font-style: italic;">Dallas</span> when the cutter's embarked MH-65C helicopter could not launch as a result of the failed lights. Equipment failures like this are common on these aging assets, and their ability to maintain mission readiness is rapidly deteriorating due to increased mission requirements.<br /><br />Read the full article on Navy Times <a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/coastguard_dallas_chase_030608w/">here</a>.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-53868112318155620792008-03-08T00:04:00.003+00:002008-03-08T00:11:11.332+00:00Happy Hundredth, Station Tillamook!On March 7, 1908, the Barview Lifesaving Station was established approximately 11 miles north of Garibaldi, Oregon. Today marks the 100th Anniversary of that event. Many things have changed since that day:<br /><ul><li>In 1942, the original station was sold to a private buyer, and a new station was constructed in the town of Garibaldi.</li><li>In 1981, the current station was constructed.</li></ul>In the 100 years since the Station first started standing watch, the Tillamook Bay Station has stood the watch over one of the most treacherous sections of coastline in the Pacific Northwest. Happy Birthday Station Tillamook!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Read the article in <a href="http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=49439&TM=1415.942">The Daily Astorian</a>.<br />Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay <a href="http://www.uscg.mil/d13/units/gruastoria/tb.htm">Home Page</a><br /></span>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-36562993472881221022008-03-07T23:58:00.003+00:002008-03-08T00:19:02.745+00:00Cutter Forward Delivers the Goods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rexmwess.com/cgpatchs/h3738/p3797.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 121px;" src="http://www.rexmwess.com/cgpatchs/h3738/p3797.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The US Coast Guard Cutter <span style="font-style: italic;">Forward</span> is scheduled to unload approximately 1600 pounds of cocaine (valued at over $52 million), as well as 6 suspects from the F/V <span style="font-style: italic;">Miss Alyssa</span> to federal agents at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Miss Alyssa</span> was initially discovered in the West Caribbean by the Cutter <span style="font-style: italic;">Dauntless</span>, whose boarding team was relieved after an extensive search by the boarding team from <span style="font-style: italic;">Forward</span>, leading to the discovery of a hidden compartment. Read more in the original article, <a href="http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,163482,00.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">here</span></a>.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-839889929888690842008-03-07T23:53:00.001+00:002008-03-07T23:56:05.571+00:00San Diego CG Medevacs Cruise Ship PassengerAlright, so <a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080304-1605-bn04medevac.html">this</a> really isn't exciting news in the Coast Guard world, this is what we do <span style="font-style: italic;">everyday</span>. This one was noteworthy, however, because it was a good friend's first SAR case as a Pilot in Command of the MH-60 <span style="font-style: italic;">Jayhawk</span>. Congratulations, Vince! You've been working hard to get here, and it's great to see it paying off!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Video may be viewed <a href="http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?partner=en-ap&g=3799a4b9-9cb7-45e2-befa-f3dfbec1b80b&f=CADIU&mk=en-ap">here</a>.</span>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-38409390106550609522008-03-07T23:49:00.003+00:002008-03-17T16:06:31.097+00:00Rockland Hopeful to be 9th "Coast Guard City"Rockland, Maine is home to two nearby Coast Guard units, and is <a href="http://knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=110785">hoping to become the 9th city</a> to be designated a "Coast Guard City" by the Commandant. Current Coast Guard cities are Grand Haven, Michigan; Eureka, California; Mobile, Alabama; Morgan City, Louisiana; Wilmington, North Carolina; Newport, Oregon; Alameda, California and Kodiak, Alaska.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE (3/17/08): </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Apparently</span> Rockland is one step closer to becoming the 9th "Coast Guard City." According to the AP, <a href="http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080316/NEWS02/803160399/1003/NEWS02">Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced Friday that the request was approved by Coast Adm. Thad Allen.</a>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-58017557504223006352008-03-07T23:29:00.004+00:002008-03-17T17:08:23.283+00:00Marines' Adopted Puppies Arrive in San DiegoYou all know I have a soft spot for dogs. While deployed to Kuwait, like so many other soldiers, sailors, and Marines, I adopted a local dog and tried to help keep it healthy. It was heart-breaking to come home and leave Wardog behind (picture to be posted soon), so it always brightens my day to hear of stories like <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15527488/detail.html">this</a>. Images of the dogs coming home, and time spent with their new "parents" in Iraq, are <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/slideshow/news/15456040/detail.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> Me and Wardog Too<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i4fDjvGaBCQjPJz7-VM9Zw4TYKnjebyID199VrX5TjyoPmRDHTWY6C4tTppPSN4L_gxJ97ohAoEY8rnQHl1WBi1I_zttOufStyyAapy4VEpBGOCDES071vJdhmhHpJ051QnNzYciIAc/s1600-h/Me+Wardog+Too+Aug19+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i4fDjvGaBCQjPJz7-VM9Zw4TYKnjebyID199VrX5TjyoPmRDHTWY6C4tTppPSN4L_gxJ97ohAoEY8rnQHl1WBi1I_zttOufStyyAapy4VEpBGOCDES071vJdhmhHpJ051QnNzYciIAc/s200/Me+Wardog+Too+Aug19+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178758477508782002" border="0" /></a></div>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-17773692570424447852008-03-07T22:40:00.005+00:002008-03-08T00:36:41.016+00:00Missionized C-130J Accepted From Lockheed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/lrs/images/c130jflight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/lrs/images/c130jflight.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now all you Deepwater haters have a lot of negative things to say about Lockheed Martin, and while I agree with much of what is said, I have to stand by them on one system: the C-130. Those of you that know me, know that this is one of my favorite aircraft of all time, and with good reason. Given the amount of cargo it has moved in its career (a long one! Consider the milestones:<br /><ul><li>August 23, 1954 - Maiden Flight of prototype<br /></li><li>1964 - First flight of HC-130 variant (accepted by USAF and USCG)</li><li>2007 - Acceptance of HC-130J "Super Hercules" for missionization</li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;">A good write-up on the new aircraft's capabilities and systems was posted on <a href="http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/03/05/222026/picture-us-coast-guard-receives-first-missionised-hc-130j.html">FlightGlobal.com</a></span><br /><br />The C-130 is a remarkable aircraft (one I wish I could fly), and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the new model will perform as well as its predecessors.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">To put to rest any rumors that I don't have ADD...look at this picture and tell me it doesn't look like a surprised Basset Hound:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/images/articles/20060618120453425_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 311px;" src="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/images/articles/20060618120453425_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(for the ADD-impaired, big black nose, wings sticking out like ears, smile visible above the nose gear...come on!! Maybe I watched too many Disney movies as a kid or something...)</span>CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-89260570629435920052008-03-06T20:25:00.002+00:002008-03-06T20:28:48.345+00:00Cape May CC Charged with Sexual AssaultFollowing the Cadet Webster Smith fiasco, it is disappointing to see another <a href="http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/181/story/99493.html"></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sexual Assault case</span> arising in the Coast Guard, which historically has had lower reported numbers of assault cases than all other branches of the Armed Forces. A First Class Gunner's Mate serving as a Company Commander at Cape May has been "<a href="http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/181/story/99493.html">charged with forcible sodomy and abusive sexual contact with one of his recruits</a>" according to the article.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218362107420393395.post-62411940044299801572008-03-06T20:16:00.002+00:002008-03-06T20:21:05.440+00:00Coast Guard Finally Launches "Reality" Ad CampaignA <a href="http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i5beab0b5283d27d79d30cbdc00fb7513">report</a> today in AdWeek mentions the launch of a new Coast Guard ad campaign, aimed at showing the "real" side of the Coast Guard. The Ads (2 so far) are 30 seconds each and feature footage from actual Coast Guard SAR operations.<br /><br />A highlight of the report: According to Coast Guard Capt. David Vanderplas, " Coast Guard recruits tend to be more educated and older than other members of the service branches"<br /><br />The ads are soon to be posted on<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.gocoastguard.com">gocoastguard.com</a><br /><br />It will be interesting to see what the focus of new ad campaigns will be. With the increase in Homeland Security missions, recruiting with old SAR footage seems to be inviting recruits with the "no guns for me" mentality that became a real issue immediately following 9/11.CuriousPatriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10776936768921893748noreply@blogger.com0