R 072348Z JUL 10

ALCOAST 361/10

COMDTNOTE 3710

SUBJ: LOSS OF COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT 6017

1. IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET AND SADNESS THAT I REPORT THE CRASH OF CG6017 TODAY ALONG THE COAST NEAR LA PUSH, WA.

CG6017, FLOWN BY A FOUR PERSON CREW FROM AIRSTA SITKA, WAS IN TRANSIT FROM ASTORIA, OREGON, TO SITKA, ALASKA. A MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT LOCATED THE FOUR CREWMEMBERS – ONE WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND THREE WERE DECEASED.

2. ALTHOUGH MANY OF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE NAMES AND STATUS OF THE CREW, WE ARE FOLLOWING THE APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES. WE WILL RELEASE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO ALL OF YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

3. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF AIRSTA SITKA AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR IMMEDIATE FOCUS IS ON PROVIDING THE NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT TO THE FAMILIES OF THE CREW AND THEIR SHIPMATES. WE WILL DISPATCH EVERY RESOURCE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THEIR NEEDS. THE SEVENTEENTH DISTRICT COMMANDER, RADM COLVIN, IS HEADED TO AIRSTA SITKA TO STAND BY OUR SHIPMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

4. WE WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE MISHAP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND HELP PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENTS. CG6017 SALVAGE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY.

5. ADDITIONALLY, I AM DIRECTING OPERATIONAL COMMANDERS TO CONDUCT A SAFETY STAND DOWN FOR EVERY AIRSTA IN THE CG. THE DETAILS OF WHICH WILL BE CONVEYED IN SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE, A PERSONAL FOR MESSAGE TO AIRSTA COMMANDING OFFICERS.

6. I ASK ALL OF YOU TO PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND REFLECT ON YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS YOU STAND THE WATCH.

7. RELEASED BY ADMIRAL BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT.

8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

————————————————–

R 081841Z JUL 10
ALCOAST 363/10
COMDTNOTE 3710

SUBJ: UPDATE 1 - LOSS OF COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT 6017

1. SHIPMATES, I WANT TO UPDATE THE COAST GUARD FAMILY ON THE STATUS OF THE CREW OF CG6017.  I AM DEEPLY SADDENED TO INFORM YOU THAT THE
THREE FATALITIES IN YESTERDAYS MISHAP ARE LT SEAN KRUGER, AMT1 ADAM HOKE, AND AMT2 BRETT BANKS. THE FOURTH AIR CREWMEMBER, LT LANCE
LEONE, SURVIVED THE CRASH AND IS CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM INJURIES.

THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF ALL THOSE WHO REACHED OUT AND RESPONDED, HAVE PROVIDED SOME SMALL MEASURE OF COMFORT FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE
DECEASED AND INJURED CREW MEMBERS AND THEIR COMMAND.  IN TIMES LIKE THESE, OUR SERVICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO COUNT ON EACH OTHER FOR
SUPPORT.  ITS PART OF THE MANNERS OF OUR PROFESSION.

2. LT KRUGER, AMT1 HOKE AND AMT2 BANKS COLLECTIVELY LEAVE CAREERS WHICH SERVE AS EXAMPLES OF OUR SERVICES CORE VALUES AND UNDERSCORE
WHAT AMERICA EXPECTS FROM ITS COAST GUARD.  THEIR SACRIFICE REFLECTS  OUR COUNTRYS BEST VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.

3. FURTHER, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS AVIATION MISHAPS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST 22 MONTHS.  I AM ADDRESSING
THIS SEPARATELY AND WILL UPDATE YOU IN THE FUTURE.  FOR NOW, WE SHOULD AND MUST FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON CARING FOR AND SUPPORTING OUR
SHIPMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

4. OUR SERVICE CONDUCTS HAZARDOUS MISSIONS EVERY DAY BOTH ON AND ABOVE THE WATER, AND ASHORE.  THE LOSS OF THESE THREE EXCEPTIONAL
COAST GUARDSMEN REINFORCES THAT FACT.  I ASK THAT YOU REMEMBER THIS CREWS SACRIFICE AND HONOR THEIR LIVES.

5. INFORMATION REGARDING MEMORIAL SERVICES WILL BE PASSED WHEN THE DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE.

6. RELEASED BY ADMIRAL BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
------------------------------------------------

On Friday evening July 9,2010, 1900 hrs, at the request of Jack Margolis, Flotilla Commander, Drum Point Flotilla 23-6,
all members in attendance stood at silent attention to remember and honor our fallen Guardians.

Semper Paratus

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