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Page 3
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Service News
Marine News:
Coast Guard News:
After nearly 45 years of service to the nation, Coast Guard Cutter Dallas is being decommissioned. From performing naval
gunfire support missions off Vietnam to being the command ship during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, Dallas has truly seen it all.
As Dallas is decommissioned, a new fleet of national security cutters are coming on the line to protect and serve our nation.
They stand at the ready to perform homeland security missions at sea, just as Dallas did for decades.
Farewell to Dallas – A word from the commanding officer
Capt. Jim Munro, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Dallas
Endings usually stir a little melancholy. I am not talking about the end of a long deployment – which is normally reason for
some
celebration – but something a bit more weighty: the last patrol for a Coast Guard ship in a nearly 45-year-long career. Such is
the case aboard Dallas as we sail homeward bound for the last time as a Coast Guard cutter.
Through most of this more than 90-day patrol we have focused on simply getting underway and staying underway; a greater
feat than one may think. After four decades of service, Dallas’ equipment failures have impacted our ability to perform missions
on a daily basis and throughout this patrol the crew has worked through some amazing challenges.
During months of preparation, a hole was cut in Dallas’ hull and a main diesel engine block was replaced. The crew then
worked to pull together systems that were dormant during a long in-port period and breathed life back into them. They fought
through a flurry of last-minute equipment casualties and the material challenges of an old ship were felt immediately as we
experienced problems with the reduction gear lubrication systems.
After diverting to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for repairs, we were back underway. A long stint of operations followed, 30 days
worth, and it felt good to get that under our belt, especially as two go-fast interdictions occurred in that intense period.
In the first half of Dallas’ final patrol there was not too much talk of “endings.” We were simply too busy. But as we neared the
end of our patrol, endings began coming back up as a topic of conversation. “Lasts” were first on folks’ minds again: the last
time in “GTMO,” the last time Dallas will be seen in a foreign port call, the last time a Coast Guard helicopter would land on
our flight deck.
Endings also mark beginnings of course. Dallas’ current crew moves on to its next place of duty as does the ship. I wonder as
I sit writing this on the starboard bridge wing chair – my favorite place on the cutter – who will be sitting here next. Where will
they be? I am watching the horizon as Dallas sails through the Caribbean the last time as a Coast Guard cutter, wondering if
she will be fighting pirates in the Malaccan Strait – the boy in me hopes so – with other regional nations, or establishing a
sovereign strategic presence in foreign waters. Wherever she is, Dallas, under another flag, will still have a purposeful duty at
sea.
Despite Dallas’ last patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard, our service’s missions will still be carried out. Dallas, and the 11 other
original high endurance cutters, are being replaced by national security cutters. Faster, better equipped and more efficient than
their predecessors, the crews aboard the new national security cutters will honor Dallas’ tradition of protecting American
interests, today and for decades to come.
After nearly 45 years of service to the nation, Coast Guard Cutter Dallas is being decommissioned. From performing naval
gunfire support missions off Vietnam to being the command ship during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, Dallas has truly seen it all.
As Dallas is decommissioned, a new fleet of national security cutters are coming on the line to protect and serve our nation.
They stand at the ready to perform homeland security missions at sea, just as Dallas did for decades.
Farewell to Dallas – A word from the commanding officer
Capt. Jim Munro, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Dallas
Endings usually stir a little melancholy. I am not talking about the end of a long deployment – which is normally reason for
some
celebration – but something a bit more weighty: the last patrol for a Coast Guard ship in a nearly 45-year-long career. Such is
the case aboard Dallas as we sail homeward bound for the last time as a Coast Guard cutter.
Through most of this more than 90-day patrol we have focused on simply getting underway and staying underway; a greater
feat than one may think. After four decades of service, Dallas’ equipment failures have impacted our ability to perform missions
on a daily basis and throughout this patrol the crew has worked through some amazing challenges.
During months of preparation, a hole was cut in Dallas’ hull and a main diesel engine block was replaced. The crew then
worked to pull together systems that were dormant during a long in-port period and breathed life back into them. They fought
through a flurry of last-minute equipment casualties and the material challenges of an old ship were felt immediately as we
experienced problems with the reduction gear lubrication systems.
After diverting to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for repairs, we were back underway. A long stint of operations followed, 30 days
worth, and it felt good to get that under our belt, especially as two go-fast interdictions occurred in that intense period.
In the first half of Dallas’ final patrol there was not too much talk of “endings.” We were simply too busy. But as we neared the
end of our patrol, endings began coming back up as a topic of conversation. “Lasts” were first on folks’ minds again: the last
time in “GTMO,” the last time Dallas will be seen in a foreign port call, the last time a Coast Guard helicopter would land on
our flight deck.
Endings also mark beginnings of course. Dallas’ current crew moves on to its next place of duty as does the ship. I wonder as
I sit writing this on the starboard bridge wing chair – my favorite place on the cutter – who will be sitting here next. Where will
they be? I am watching the horizon as Dallas sails through the Caribbean the last time as a Coast Guard cutter, wondering if
she will be fighting pirates in the Malaccan Strait – the boy in me hopes so – with other regional nations, or establishing a
sovereign strategic presence in foreign waters. Wherever she is, Dallas, under another flag, will still have a purposeful duty at
sea.
Despite Dallas’ last patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard, our service’s missions will still be carried out. Dallas, and the 11 other
original high endurance cutters, are being replaced by national security cutters. Faster, better equipped and more efficient than
their predecessors, the crews aboard the new national security cutters will honor Dallas’ tradition of protecting American
interests, today and for decades to come.
This May, the Marine Corps will celebrate 100 years of aviation history. Since A.A.
Cunningham's first flight in 1912 until now, Marines have adapted their aviation
abilities to support ground troops, deliver supplies and assist in amphibious
assaults. Join the Marine Corps as it celebrates the Aviation Centennial with
events Corpswide.
“Flying … means a new and wonderful weapon of warfare, the value of which is not
appreciated in this country.” – 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham, 1916
Cunningham's first flight in 1912 until now, Marines have adapted their aviation
abilities to support ground troops, deliver supplies and assist in amphibious
assaults. Join the Marine Corps as it celebrates the Aviation Centennial with
events Corpswide.
“Flying … means a new and wonderful weapon of warfare, the value of which is not
appreciated in this country.” – 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham, 1916
This May, Marine Corps aviation will celebrate its 100th birthday. On May 22, 1912, 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham arrived at
Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, Md., to begin aviation training. After only two hours and 40 minutes of instruction,
Cunningham took off on the first-ever Marine Corps solo training flight. This flight marked the beginning of the journey of Marine
Corps aviation, which has continued to expand over the past century to support ground troops, amphibious landings and assault
missions.
Since May 2011, the Marine Corps has highlighted its rich aviation history through the Marine Aviation Centennial with air shows
and events around the Corps and recently with the release of a new book, “100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation: An Illustrated
History.”
The book, published by the Marine Corps and downloadable online, takes the reader on a journey through the history of Marine
aviation. The book features rare images and descriptions of the roles Marine aircraft have played in pivotal battles in American
history in addition to the people, aircraft and events that have shaped the development of aviation. The book also contains first-
hand accounts from Marine aviators, a timeline of aviation history and an overview of each time period in aviation development.
As a whole, the book acknowledges and celebrates the importance of aviation as a pivotal element of the Marine Air Ground
Task Force and highlights its successful adaptation to ever-evolving warfare tactics.
“For nearly 100 years, Marine Aviation has demonstrated the adaptability, agility and unique ethos that come with the title
‘Marine,’” said Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos. “Supporting our ground and logistics brothers and
sisters, Marine Aviation has forged a lasting legacy of professionalism, innovation and transformation. The centennial of Marine
Aviation provides us a unique opportunity to reflect on this legacy of success as we turn our eyes to the future.”
Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, Md., to begin aviation training. After only two hours and 40 minutes of instruction,
Cunningham took off on the first-ever Marine Corps solo training flight. This flight marked the beginning of the journey of Marine
Corps aviation, which has continued to expand over the past century to support ground troops, amphibious landings and assault
missions.
Since May 2011, the Marine Corps has highlighted its rich aviation history through the Marine Aviation Centennial with air shows
and events around the Corps and recently with the release of a new book, “100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation: An Illustrated
History.”
The book, published by the Marine Corps and downloadable online, takes the reader on a journey through the history of Marine
aviation. The book features rare images and descriptions of the roles Marine aircraft have played in pivotal battles in American
history in addition to the people, aircraft and events that have shaped the development of aviation. The book also contains first-
hand accounts from Marine aviators, a timeline of aviation history and an overview of each time period in aviation development.
As a whole, the book acknowledges and celebrates the importance of aviation as a pivotal element of the Marine Air Ground
Task Force and highlights its successful adaptation to ever-evolving warfare tactics.
“For nearly 100 years, Marine Aviation has demonstrated the adaptability, agility and unique ethos that come with the title
‘Marine,’” said Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos. “Supporting our ground and logistics brothers and
sisters, Marine Aviation has forged a lasting legacy of professionalism, innovation and transformation. The centennial of Marine
Aviation provides us a unique opportunity to reflect on this legacy of success as we turn our eyes to the future.”
