Shipmates,
I just completed a two day trip to Port Arthur, Texas and Montgomery, Alabama.
In Texas I met with executives and leaders of the liquefied gas industry to discuss safety and security issues associated with the growing industry. I also took part in the ceremony to announce the Liquefied Gas Carriers Center of Expertise that will be established at MSU Port Arthur later this year. The LGC COE is one of a number of COEs being established as part of our Marine Safety Performance Plan.
The others include:
Cruise Ships Miami FL
Towing Vessels Paducah KY
Outer Continental Shelf Morgan City LA
Suspension and Revocation Martinsburg WV
Vintage Vessels Duluth MN
Investigations New Orleans LA
We are considering others as well.
My thanks to RADM Joel Whitehead (Eighth District Commander), CAPT Mark Woodring (Sector Houston), CAPT John Plunkett (MSU Port Arthur), and CDR Randall Orgrydziak who will be the first Director of the Center.
We had an All Hands with MSU Port Arthur and surrounding units including the Title 10 Reservists who support the Military Out Load Port and Station Sabine Pass. I was pleased to take part in an awards ceremony for the LCDR Mike Odom, CWO Charles Kirby, CWO Jim Simmons, and Mr. Evan Morrow. All of these personnel distinguished themselves in hurricane responses last year and we thank them.
On the way back to Washington DC we stopped at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery AL where I addressed the Air War College. CAPT Paul Franklin, USCG, is a member of the current class. He will be assigned to the Special Operations Command this summer as the Representative for our Deployable Operations Group.
In addition to general topics about maritime security we discussed shared areas of interest including our joint search and rescue responsibilities, unmanned aerial systems, and cyber security. The students asked good questions about the Arctic, piracy, and Coast Guard acquisition. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Norty Schwartz is the former TRANSCOM Commander and a close friend and partner.
ADM A
