VADM Currier Visits TRACEN Petaluma and Units on Coast Guard Island

VADM John Currier, Coast Guard Chief of Staff, visited several mission support units during a recent trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. A common theme throughout the trip was Coast Guard Modernization. VADM Currier charged everyone to take ownership of the way forward in Modernization by strengthening relationships between peers in the mission support and operational communities and taking ownership of problems when they arise. He acknowledged that this represents a shift in our traditional ways of doing business, but it’s necessary to realize the benefits from Modernization; increased accountability, lower risk and increased operational effectiveness.

VADM Currier met with personnel from the local mission support units on CG Island, including the BSU, ESU, HSWL FO, NESU, and PSSU. Additionally, he held an “all hands” on Coast Guard Island with over 300 personnel attending. At the “all hands” event, VADM Currier stressed modernization’s core tenants and fielded individual questions.

RADM Sullivan, Commander, FORCECOM and Deputy Commander, Pacific Area, and VADM Currier thanked the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kukui for their hard work, sacrifice and dedication to getting the 225-foot Juniper Class bouy tender operational again. He pointed out the significant contributions of BM2 Medina, DC3 Benway, MK2 Mille, and HS1 Porterfield. The Kukui is homeported in Honolulu where it is responsible for performing aids to navigation duties such as the servicing of buoys and lighthouses in the Hawaiian and Western Pacific waters.



While on CG Island, VADM Currier also received a tour of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf from Commanding Officer CAPT John Prince, met with local mission support leadership, and stopped by Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau for a brief visit with the command.

At Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma, VADM Currier met with the Coast Guard’s Gold Badge Command Master Chiefs and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. They discussed Modernization and the way forward. Additionally, VADM Currier charged the Gold Badge Network with succinct delivery of the Mission Support message to field units and called for action by “all hands” to take ownership in Modernization to deliver operational effectiveness.

CG HQ Prayer Breakfast

Coast Guard Vice Commandant, Vice Adm. David Pekoske, retired Coast Guardsman and Gold Lifesaving Medal recipient, Andy Fitzgerald, Casey Sherman, co-author of the book "The Finest Hour" and Coast Guard Chief of Staff, Vice Adm. John Currier stop for a group photo following the Coast Guard Headquarters Annual Prayer Breakfast, today, Nov. 4, 2009.

The theme of the event was "Celebrating our Guardian Ethos" and featured remarks from Sherman about his research for the book, along with a first hand account of the rescue by Fitzgerald, a crewmember aboard the 36-foot motor lifeboat that rescued 32 sailors from the stern of the SS Pendleton after the ship broke in half during a storm near Cape Cod, Mass., Feb. 18, 1952.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Kip Wadlow.

SFLC Planning Baltimore Area Personnel Moves

SFLC is currently working with a Space Planner to develop a seating diagram and move sequence plan to facilitate the movement and co-location of its Baltimore area members into their respective organizational units as identified in the FY10 Commandant's Intent Action Order Reorganization Review Team (CRRT) Process. Starting no earlier than 16 November 2009, nearly 500 members will be moved to their new physical locations.

VADM Currier and CMC Isherwood visit Recruit Company in Cape May, NJ

VADM John Currier, Chief of Staff, visited Recruit Company November-182 with Command Master Chief Kevin Isherwood at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, New Jersey on Thursday 22 October 2009. VADM Currier and CMC Isherwood have adopted Company November-182 as part of a mentorship program. The company, formed on 16 October 2009, consists of 59 men and 6 women. November-182 is scheduled to graduate on 04 December 2009.

Cyber security month

On October 1st President Obama declared October as National Cyber Security Month. The Department of Homeland Security’s cyber security theme for this year is “Our shared responsibility.” And it truly is a shared responsibility. These days we all must be smart on how we use cyber tools at work and home alike. To be sure our adversaries are more aggressive and cunning than ever as they attempt to disrupt the way we share information with our colleagues, family and friends.

I encourage each of you to visit www.onguardonline.gov and www.dhs.gov/cyber to educate yourselves about how to intelligently wield the tools that you use on a daily basis. Learn the latest techniques being used to lure you to launch malware. This month, DHS is hosting as series of interesting articles that will be posted on the CG Portal with topics including: Cyber SWAT, Social Media, Spear Phishing and Organized Cyber Crime. https://cgportal.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/information-assurance/announcements

Let’s all practice good cyber “hygiene” and deny our cyber adversaries the opportunity to easily inflict damage.

C4IT Service Center Fully Stands Up

Post from Mr. Mark Powell, Director, C4IT SC:

The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Information Technology Service Center (C4IT SC), comprised of electronics and information technology professionals located in numerous locations across the country, reached full stand-up today after discussions concluded with the American Federation of Government Employees union. The C4IT SC combines the Telecommunication and Information Systems Command (TISCOM), the Command and Control Engineering Center (C2CEN), the Operations Systems Command (OSC), the legacy MLC Electronic Systems Divisions, the LORAN Support Unit (LSU), the Electronics Repair Facility (ERF), and some elements of the CG Headquarters CIO staff.

The C4IT SC is the first command devoted solely to supporting all Coast Guard electronics and information technology assets and reports directly to the Assistant Commandant for C4IT (CG-6). Its primary customers are operational units (field support), other Service and Logistics Centers, and CG Headquarters (system development, testing, deployment, and support). Its mission is to enhance Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology's value in the performance of CG missions by providing and supporting systems and solutions that meet mission requirements.

The establishment ceremony for the C4IT SC was held on 9 Feb 2009 at the C4IT SC Headquarters located in Alexandria Virginia, aboard the TISCOM facility. At that time, only the C4IT SC’s command cadre were in place. After completion of discussions with AFGE, who provided input and advice concerning their represented employees, earlier this month the C4IT SC received the green light to completely stand up. As a result of a lot of hard work, the C4IT SC is extremely honored to provide full support for the entire Coast Guard!

For more information and contacts for the C4IT SC, go to the CG Portal (https://cgportal.uscg.mil), click on “Search Places” and search for the “C4IT Service Center” place.

Evolution of the MLCs &ISCs – No changes in support

CG Chief of Staff, VADM Currier, discussed the evolution of CG mission support on iCommandant today. He specifically addresses what's changing in the organization and how operational partners can receive support in the new organization. Additional information is available in a related ALCOAST.