Coast Guard C-130, Naval AH-1 helicopter collide in SoCal, 9 missing

FYI this is from a CG maillist I am on.

-----Original Message-----
From: Allen, Thad Admiral
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 03:47 PM Eastern Standard Time
To:
Subject: ALL HANDS - Crews of Coast Guard C-130 and Marine Corps Helicopter

To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard:

We are still in the midst of a massive search effort to locate the seven missing Guardians from CG-1705 and the two Marines from the AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Coast Guard and Navy assets, along with a Customs and Border Protection helicopter, are searching a 644 nautical mile area and have recovered debris from both aircraft but we have not located any survivors at this time. I remain hopeful and we will continue to search until all of our options are exhausted.

After completing the next of kin notifications and consulting closely with our Marine Corps and Navy partners, we are releasing the names of the AIRSTA Sacramento based crew of the CG-1705:

Lieutenant Commander Che J. Barnes; age 35
Lieutenant Adam W. Bryant; age 28
Chief Petty Officer John F. Seidman; age 43
Petty Officer Second Class Carl P. Grigonis; age 35
Petty Officer Second Class Monica L. Beacham; age 29
Petty Officer Second Class Jason S. Moletzsky; age 26
Petty Officer Third Class Danny R. Kreder II; age 22.

The names of the missing Marines are Major Samuel Leigh, age 35, and First Lieutenant Thomas Claiborne, age 26.

I am extremely proud of all the people involved in the search efforts – their dedication to finding their fellow shipmates is inspiring. We will continue to support AIRSTA Sacramento, the families of the missing crewmembers, and all the participating units with everything they need to continue the search.

This event, like the CG-6505 helicopter accident last year, highlights the risks we accept every day to ensure the Nation’s safety and security. As Guardians, we acknowledge the risk but that doesn’t ease the emotional burden we feel after a tragedy. I know many people have been working extremely hard over the last several days so please watch each other’s back.

I will provide further updates as they become available. Keep these missing Guardians and Marines, along with their families, in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Admiral Thad Allen
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
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FYI:

--------
From: Allen, Thad Admiral
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:41 PM
Subject: ALL HANDS - Loss of CG-1705

To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard:

On Sunday, we suspended the search for the seven missing Guardians from CG-1705 and the two Marines onboard the AH-1 Cobra helicopter. I am deeply saddened that we were not able to locate any survivors but am proud of the thousands of people who conducted or supported the search efforts.

Our focus is now on determining the cause of the accident. Recovery operations are ongoing and salvage efforts will commence soon. The Coast Guard will conduct a Joint Service Safety Investigation Board with the Marine Corps and RDML John Korn will serve as the President. I ask for your patience during the course of the investigation. It is important that we not speculate about the cause of this accident and that we allow the investigation to inform our understanding of what happened.

After hearing about the accident, I immediately traveled to AIRSTA Sacramento and to Sector San Diego to visit with the families and the personnel involved in the search efforts. Please visit iCommandant (http://www.uscg.mil/comdt/blog/2009/11/cg-1705-update-support-investigation_02.asp#links) for more information on those visits.

The National Ensign will be flown at half-mast to honor our seven missing Guardians until we hold a memorial service on Friday, 06 November at AIRSTA Sacramento (ALCOAST: http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/628-09_alcoastt.txt). I am extremely grateful to the Coast Guard Foundation for their selfless assistance; once again, they are rescuing the rescuers.

Being that we are such a small Service, this loss will touch every member of the Coast Guard. As Guardians, keep a weather eye on your shipmates and keep the families in your hearts during this difficult time.

Admiral Thad Allen
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

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4. CG-54211, sends
 
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