BOSTON — The media is invited to the presentation of the Purple Heart to the family of a World War I Coast Guardsman in New Castle, N.H., Friday.

U.S. Senator for New Hampsire, Kelly Ayotte, and the 1^st District commander, Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, are scheduled to present the prestigious award to the family of Water Tender Fred Wyman, a crewman aboard the USS Tampa when it was hit and sunk by the German U-boat 91, Sept. 26, 1918, killing 111 Coast Guardsmen, four U.S. Navy men, a captain of the British Army, 10 seamen of the Royal Navy, and five civilian employee dock workers.  This was reportedly the largest loss due to enemy action suffered by U.S. Naval Forces in World War I.

After the United States declared war with Germany the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa and other Coast Guard cutters were transferred to the U.S. Navy and received the designations as USS Tampa.

The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military.

WHERE: Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor –
              25 Wentworth Rd.
              New Castle, N.H.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

WHY: To honor Water Tender Fred Wyman for his service

WHO: U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte
          Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, 1^st Coast Guard District Commander
          Douglas Wyman Sr., will receive the Purple Heart on behalf of Fred Wyman.

BOSTON — As the holiday season draws near, people are drawn to family and food to celebrate this festive time of year. And with the Feast of Seven Fishes comes the need for fresh seafood for tables and restaurants around the New England area.

As local fishermen take to the sea, Coast Guard personnel work diligently to prevent tragedies from occurring during the rush to bring a catch to market. As seafood prices spike, Coast Guard personnel work to ensure safety corners are not cut.

The Coast Guard is responsible for inspecting the commercial fishing fleet not only for catch and species limits, personnel also ensure commercial fishing boats have the mandated safety equipment on board. Equipment such as flares, life rafts, cold-water immersion suites and emergency satellite radio beacons. This equipment helps mariners that are in trouble notify the Coast Guard or other fishing vessels of their distress. Safety equipment allows the fishermen in distress to relay their location and nature of distress to rescue personnel.

Put simply, this safety equipment helps the mariner stay alive until help can arrive. And when the fishing is on Georges Bank or off the coast of northern Maine, every minute counts.

During this busy time of year, weather and temperatures can be unpredictable. Coast Guard personnel are on the seas ensuring fishermen have the proper safety equipment on board so that everyone might return safely from the sea to their families. The greatest gift anyone can give their family is their safe return.

Coast Guard personnel are available to speak regarding the importance of fishing vessel safety at our Gloucester, Mass., Coast Guard station. Please call Chief Petty Officer Jeff Hall for more information at (617) 504-9274.

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BOSTON — Media are invited to Coast Guard Station Chatham, Saturday, where children of U.S. Coast Guard members will receive presents from Santa.

Santa, a member of Friends of Flying Santa, will land a helicopter at the station and deliver a present to each child.

Friends of Flying Santa, operated by volunteers and relying on the contributions of individuals and sponsors, works throughout the year to prepare for flights delivering more than 600 gifts to the children of Coast Guard families.

This annual holiday tradition was started in 1929 by Capt. William Wincapaw, a float plane pilot based in Rockland, Maine. He was a renowned aviator who flew seaplanes up and down the New England coast, providing delivery services to the isolated island residents. In those early days of aviation, he often found himself relying on the beacons of lighthouses to assist him in his navigation. Capt. Wincapaw had great admiration for these dedicated lifesavers and began his aerial Santa flights as a gesture of appreciation to help brighten their lonely holidays. The aerial Christmas Day delivery of small packages of books, magazines, candy and toys were warmly received by these isolated residents. Capt. Wincapaw, with the help of his son, Bill, Jr., made this an annual event and expanded the flights to cover all of New England.

WHERE: Coast Guard Station Chatham

             37 Main Street, Chatham, Mass.

WHEN: 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2011.

WHO: Friends of Flying Santa and Coast Guard families

WHY: To celebrate the holiday season

BOSTON — The media are invited to U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod for a centennial of naval aviation celebration, scheduled for 6 p.m., Friday.

The event, including a "Flight Suit Formal," is being held to celebrate 100 years of Naval Aviation and will have live music, dancing, refreshments and distinguished guests.

Speaking at the event will be distinguished guests: veteran aviator Vice Adm. John Currier, the current Ancient Albatross, an honorary title given to active duty Coast Guard aviator with the greatest number of years of designated aviation service, and Senior Chief Petty Officer Peter MacDougall, the enlisted Ancient Albatross.  

The guest of honor is the Coast Guard's second helicopter pilot, retired Cmdr. Stewart R. Graham. Trained to fly helicopters by legendary designed and inventor Igor Sikorsky, Graham pioneered shipboard operations of helicopters, perfected helicopter search and rescue techniques, and performed the first night time medical evacuation and survivor hoist.  During his 25-year career, Graham earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, two air medals, he was commissioned as a "Knight of the Order of Leopold" by the government of Belgium for his part in the rescue of the survivors of the Sabena Airline crash in 1946, and was inducted into the United States Coast Guard Aviation Hall of Fame in 1995 and the United States Naval Aviation Hall of Honor in 2004.

Capt. David Throop, the commanding officer of Air Station Cape Cod, will also be speaking during the celebration.

Media representatives are encouraged to attend. Please contact Air Station Cape Cod Public Affairs at 508-968-6613 for more information.

Editor’s Note: Media must be escorted onto the base. Please contact 508-968-6360 once at the gate to arrange the escort.

BOSTON – The U.S. Coast Guard along with other agencies are holding a press briefing regarding the salvage operations for a sunken barge near Newport Bridge.

The Coast Guard, Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, Abde and Svoboda, and Donjon Marine Co. Inc. will be present to discuss and answer any questions about current and planned operations.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at 3 p.m.

WHO: Coast Guard, Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, Abde and Svoboda, and Donjon Marine Co. Inc. 

WHAT: Press briefing

WHERE: 20 Risho Avenue, East Providence, R.I., 02914

WHY: To inform the media and public about ongoing and planned operations.

Media are requested to contact Cmdr. Paul Lattanzi if planning to attend at (401) 435-2311.

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BOSTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a ceremony and demonstration in Boston, Friday, commemorating the acceptance of the Rescue 21 Communications System at Coast Guard Sector Boston.

The Coast Guard created Rescue 21 to better locate mariners in distress and save lives and property at sea and on navigable rivers.

U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, who represents Massachusetts’ 8th Congressional District and is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will be the event’s keynote speaker.

Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, commander of the Coast Guard’s 1st District, will join Capt. Patti McFetridge, the project manager for Rescue 21, to talk about how Rescue 21 is enhancing mission execution and marine safety along the coast from the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border to Plymouth, Mass.  

The president of General Dynamics C4 Systems, Chris Marzilli, will also speak at the event. General Dynamics C4 Systems was awarded the Rescue 21 production contract in September 2002.

By harnessing today’s cutting-edge technology, Rescue 21 enables the Coast Guard to execute all its missions, especially its search and rescue mission, with greater agility and efficiency. With increased communications coverage and advanced direction-finding capabilities, Rescue 21 helps take the search out of search and rescue.

More information about Rescue 21 can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21.

WHO:              U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.)

                      Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, commander, 1st District

                      Capt. Patti McFetridge, project manager, Rescue 21

                      Chris Marzilli, president, General Dynamics C4 Systems

WHAT:            Rescue 21 acceptance and demonstration ceremony

WHEN             Friday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.

WHERE:          Coast Guard Sector Boston, Base Function Hall, 427 Commercial St., Boston

RSVP:              Credentialed media representatives should RSVP by 11 a.m. Thursday to Coast Guard Public Affairs at 617-223-8515 or 617-717-9609 to facilitate entry.

BOSTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a ceremony and demonstration in Woods Hole, Mass., Friday, commemorating the acceptance of the Rescue 21 communications system at Sector Southeastern New England.

The Coast Guard created Rescue 21 to better locate mariners in distress and save lives and property at sea and on navigable rivers.

U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, who represents Massachusetts’ 10th Congressional District and is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, will be the event’s keynote speaker.

Capt. Verne Gifford, commanding officer of Sector Southeastern New England, will join Gene Lockhart, the project manager for Rescue 21, to talk about how Rescue 21 is enhancing mission execution and marine safety along more than 600 miles of coastline, including southeastern Massachusetts from Plymouth to Fall River, Cape Cod and the islands, and all of Rhode Island.  

The vice president of communication networks for General Dynamics C4 Systems, Bill Weiss, will also speak at the event. General Dynamics C4 Systems was awarded the Rescue 21 production contract in September 2002.

By harnessing today’s cutting-edge technology, Rescue 21 enables the Coast Guard to execute all its missions, especially its search and rescue mission, with greater agility and efficiency. With increased communications coverage and advanced direction-finding capabilities, Rescue 21 helps take the search out of search and rescue.

More information about Rescue 21 can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21

WHO:              U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.)

                      Capt. Verne Gifford, commanding officer, Sector Southeastern New England

                      Gene Lockhart, project manager, Rescue 21

                      Bill Weiss, General Dynamics C4 Systems

WHAT:            Rescue 21 acceptance and demonstration ceremony

WHEN             Friday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.

WHERE:          Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, Massachusetts Military Reservation Welcome Center (use the Main Gate on Connery Ave.), 
                     Gaffney St. Building 1805, Woods Hole, Mass.

RSVP:              Credentialed media representatives should RSVP by 11 a.m. Thursday to Coast Guard Public Affairs at 617-223-8515 or 617-717-9609 to facilitate entry.

BOSTON — Coast Guard officials will work together with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Reinauer Transportation to sharpen oil spill response capabilities during an exercise in Boston, Wednesday. 

The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program was established to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.  PREP is a unified effort that focuses on preparedness for prevention, response, and recovery. This coordination between federal, state, and local officials will better prepare the Port of Boston for any such incident.

The exercise is designed to evaluate the local Area Contingency Plan, Geographical Response Plan and Vessel Response Plan.

WHO
Coast Guard
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Agency
Reinauer Transportation Company

WHAT
PREP Oil Exercise to enhance joint interoperability in the event of an oil incident.

WHERE
Exchange Conference Center, South Boston: 212 Northern Ave. Boston, MA 02210

WHEN
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at noon.

Media interested in attending can contact the 1^st District Coast Guard Public Affairs Office at (617) 223-8515 for more information.

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BOSTON — Read Adm. Daniel Neptun, 1st Coast Guard District commander, will tour Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H., with Rep. Frank Guinta, to discuss and observe the Coast Guard's missions and capabilities in New Hampshire, Friday.

WHO:

Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, Commander, 1st Coast Guard District in Boston

Rep. Frank Guinta, New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District

Capt. Chris Roberge, Commander, Sector Northern New England

Chief Petty Officer David Andreesen, Officer in Charge, Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor

WHAT:

Unit visit to discuss Coast Guard capabilities, challenges, missions and resources in New Hampshire.

WHERE:

Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor, 25 Wentworth Road, New Castle, N.H. 03804

WHEN:

Friday, September 2, 2011 at 10 a.m.

Media interested in attending can contact the Coast Guard Public Affairs Office in Boston at (617) 223-8515 for more information.

BOSTON — Read Adm. Daniel Neptun, 1st Coast Guard District commander, will tour Coast Guard Station Chatham, Mass., with Rep. Bill Keating, to discuss and observe the Coast Guard's missions and capabilities in Cape Cod, Mass., Wednesday.

WHO:
Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, Commander, 1st Coast Guard District in Boston
Rep. Bill Keating, Massachusetts' 10th Congressional District
Capt. Verne Gifford, Commander, Sector Southeastern New England
Senior Chief Petty Officer Erik Watson, Officer in Charge, Coast Guard Station Chatham

WHAT:
Unit visit to discuss Coast Guard capabilities, challenges, missions and resources on Cape Cod.

WHERE:
Coast Guard Station Chatham, Mass., 37 Main Street, Chatham, MA  02633

WHEN:
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 10 a.m.

Media interested in attending can contact the Coast Guard Public Affairs Office in Boston at (617) 223-8515 for more information.