RogerRabbit
Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 748
Location: Oregon
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 Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:33 pm Post subject: Navy Vessels recommed as CG Cutters |
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http://www.navycompass.com/news/newsview.asp?c=126730
| Quote: | Navy Ships Recommissioned as Coast Guard Cutters
Friday, October 08, 2004
By JO1(SW) Jason McKnight - Navy Compass
CORONADO - The Navy turned over operational command of two Cyclone-class coastal patrol ships, USS Monsoon {PC } and USS Zephyr {PC 8}, to the U.S. Coast Guard in a ceremony held on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado Oct. 1.
The acquisition of the two West Coast ships together with two others on the East Coast will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to do its job of protecting the nation’s harbors by helping to ensure maritime dominance.
“The Coast Guard has had to radically change the way it defends our nation, but it has the expertise and experience necessary to do this job,” said Commander, Navy Region Southwest, Rear Adm. Jose L. Betancourt.
Betancourt said the Navy-Coast Guard partnership has always been strong and the Navy is always looking for ways to enhance it.
Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, Jr. said the Coast Guard will continue the ships’ tradition of excellence as they are integrated into the cutter fleet.
“To the nation, this transfer demonstrates our government’s commitment to ensuring our national security,” said Johnson. “The ships and their crews will conduct smuggling interdiction operations, enforce our laws, protect our borders and save lives.”
Coast Guard cuttermen and officers were on hand to man the ships and man the first watches as the ships were energized and placed into commission as cutters USCGC Monsoon {WPC 4} and USCGC {WPC 8} near the end of the ceremony.
Many cuttermen said the month-long turnover experience of working side-by-side with their Navy Sailor counterparts was gratifying.
“We worked well together, and some friendships even developed over the last four weeks,” said Storekeeper 1st Class William Miller, a new crewman on Zephyr.
Machinery Technician Fireman Israel Chavarria, of Monsoon, said he encountered no resistance from the Navy Sailors when he would ask questions about the engineering equipment.
Zephyr Chief Boatswain’s Mate Greg Isbell said he turned down orders to be the executive officer of an aids-to-navigation cutter when he learned that the coastal patrol ships were being turned over to the Coast Guard.
“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be on one of the fastest, most capable cutters in the fleet,” said Isbell.
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