26 Feb 2016

Coast Guard Commandant lauds tremendous support for Service

By Sarah M. Janaro

WASHINGTON — U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivered the 2016 State of the Coast Guard Address at U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Auditorium Tuesday.

This was Adm. Zukunft’s second State of ...

16 Feb 2016

Coast Guard Commandant to deliver the annual State of the Coast Guard Address at the Capitol Visitor Center

By Sarah M. Janaro

WASHINGTON — Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft will deliver the 2016 State of the Coast Guard Address Feb. 23, 2016, at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

This will be Adm. Zukunft’s se...

02 Nov 2015

Coast Guard leaders from Arctic Nations sign historic joint statement

By Sarah M. Janaro

NEW LONDON, CT - A joint statement, officially establishing the Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF), was signed today by leaders representing all eight coast guard agencies of the Arctic nations.

The Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF) is an operationally-focused, consensus-based organization with the purpose of leveraging collective resources to foster safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic. Membership includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

"The United States is proud to join fellow Arctic nations at this inaugural Arctic Coast Guard Forum," said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. "The Arctic is crucial to our shared security, and this declaration underscores our commitment to cooperating with our international partners as we navigate this challenging and changing region."

"Today's historic Arctic Coast Guard Forum represents a critical step forward in our collective efforts to promote safety, security and environmentally-responsible maritime activity in the Arctic," said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft.  "As the ocean becomes more accessible to human activity, all Arctic nations have committed to enhancing maritime cooperation in this remote and challenging environment."

The signing ceremony marked the successful conclusion of a summit held at the United States Coast Guard Academy on October 28-30, 2015. The ACGF will reconvene for an Experts Meeting in spring 2016.

For more photos, please go to https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2258509/coast-guard-arctic-forum

Date: Oct 30, 2015

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28 Oct 2015

U.S. Coast Guard and federal partners lead Artic search-and-rescue exercise

By Sarah M. Janaro

WASHINGTON ? The United States Government, led by the United States Coast Guard, the Department of Defense (USNORTHCOM and Alaska Command), and the Department of State, successfully held Arctic Zephyr, an international Arctic Search and Rescue table-top exercise, at the University of Alaska Anchorage from October 19-22, 2015.

Arctic Zephyr examined the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic, signed in 2011.  This agreement was the first binding instrument negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council.  It enhances coordination of response capabilities of the Arctic Nations, local governments, private sector, and indigenous communities for mass casualty search-and-rescue (SAR) operations in the Arctic Region.

Participants included Arctic SAR stakeholders and subject matter experts from the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.  In addition, representatives from the Arctic cruise industry, Alaska Northwest, and North Slope Boroughs participated.  The exercise format included a series of baseline overview briefings followed by scenario-driven facilitated discussions.

"This is a magnificent opportunity to anticipate challenges and explore successful solutions for the extreme environment of the last frontier," said Rear Adm. Daniel Abel, Seventeenth Coast Guard District commander.

The objectives of Arctic Zephyr were to advance the understanding of Arctic Nations' SAR capabilities and the means for coordination, and command and control among mission partners and relevant stakeholders; to identify and recommend improvements for coordination and interoperability; to identify the challenges associated with increased human access and environmental changes and their impact on international Arctic SAR operations; to evaluate the complexities involved in conducting remote mass search and rescue operations; and to develop a core set of implementation recommendations to be presented to the Arctic Council.

"We are eager to fully realize the benefits of our collaboration during the Arctic Zephyr exercise," said Abel.

An after-action report will be developed, with recommendations for national leadership and the Arctic Council.  The United States will host a live international search and rescue exercise in 2016.

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04 Sep 2015

Statement by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Paul Zukunft on Proposed Acceleration for Acquisition of U.S. Coast Guard Icebreakers

By Sarah M. janaro

"The President's announcement demonstrates that the United States is an Arctic nation and affirms the Coast Guard's role in providing assured access to the Polar Regions. We look forward to working with the Administration, Congress and the many other Arctic stakeholders to ensure these platforms meet our national security objectives well into the 21st century."

-End statement-

Background:

The Coast Guard has been the sole operator and custodian of the nation's polar icebreaking capability since 1965, providing assured access in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. National Arctic Region policy emphasizes the importance of the Arctic and the broad interests our nation has in the region and our icebreakers are a key component of our strategy there. The Coast Guard utilizes U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Healy and Polar Star to meet present day icebreaking needs in the Arctic and Antarctic.

The missions of U.S. polar icebreakers are to conduct and support scientific research in the Arctic and Antarctic; defend U.S. sovereignty in the Arctic by helping to maintain a U.S. presence in U.S. territorial waters in the region; defend other U.S. interests in polar regions, including economic interests in waters that are within the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) north of Alaska; monitor sea traffic in the Arctic, including ships bound for the United States; conduct other typical Coast Guard missions (such as search and rescue, law enforcement, and protection of marine resources) in Arctic waters, including U.S. territorial waters north of Alaska.

For the full White House Fact Sheet: President Obama Announces New Investments to Enhance Safety and Security in the Changing Arctic, go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/01/fact-sheet-president-obama-announces-new-investments-enhance-safety-and

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Date: Sep 2, 2015

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters

Contact: Headquarters Public Affairs

07 Aug 2015

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Postal Service Celebrate the Coast Guard's 225th Anniversary with Forever Stamp Dedication

By Sarah M. Janaro

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard celebrated its 225th anniversary at the Coast Guard's Douglas A. Munro Headquarters with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft, and Postmaster General Megan Brennan participating in a dedication of the Postal Service's U.S. Coast Guard Forever stamp Tuesday.

The U.S. Postal Service commemorated the Coast Guard's 225 years of service to the nation by creating a Forever Stamp to honor its role in protecting the security of the nation and advancing vital U.S. maritime interests. The stamp shows two icons of the Coast Guard: the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship known as "America's Tall Ship," and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, one of the Coast Guard's rescue aircraft.

"Stamps tell America's story and it is a great honor for the Coast Guard to be memorialized on our 225th anniversary in the Forever Stamp collection. For 225 years, the Coast Guard has proven its enduring value to our nation. We warmly welcome this tribute and the opportunity to share our story with the nation we serve," said Zukunft. "It's a time to remember and celebrate the hundreds and thousands of Coast Guard men and women who've gone to sea - and sometimes paid the ultimate price - in boats, cutters and aircraft so that others may live."

Postmaster General Brennan spoke to the significance of the service being featured on the Forever stamp. "The Coast Guard is truly a symbol of safety to all Americans. Those who live in a coastal community, or spend time on our waterways and shores, know that the Coast Guard does whatever it takes to ensure that they are safe and protected," she said.

As the keynote speaker, Secretary Johnson said, "We are here to commemorate the Coast Guard's past, but I am most excited about the Coast Guard's future. We should all be impressed by the dedication and excellence of the men and women who occupy the ranks of today's Coast Guard."

"I see this service growing and growing, taking on more missions, taking on more and more terrific young people like those I saw graduate from basic training last week, who are from all over the country," said Johnson. "I salute you, thank you for your service, and, from this new member of the family, I wish you happy anniversary."

Fifteen million United States Coast Guard Forever stamps will be issued. Aviation artist William Phillips of Ashland, Ore., painted the image using oil and Masonite. Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Va., is the art director.

For photos of the event, please go to https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2104736/postal-service-dedicates-coast-guard-forever-stamp#.VcFELovin8E.

For more information on the United States Coast Guard Forever stamp, go to https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?productId=S_473204&categoryId=patriotic-stamps.

A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.

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