DATE: March 20, 2009 10:23:00 PM EDT
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| Multimedia Release |
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| Gallatin recieves new commanding officer |
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Editor's note: Photos and video of the ceremony are available below. Please click the links and follow the provided instruction to download. All photos and video by PA1 Bobby Nash. CHARLESTON, S.C. - Captain John Davis officially assumed command of the Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin from Captain Robert Wagner Friday morning during a change of command ceremony in Charleston.Davis reports to Gallatin from the Coast Guard Atlantic Area staff in Portsmouth, Va., where he served as the chief of the cutter forces division for the last year and eight months. Gallatin’s previous commanding officer, Capt. Mike B. Christian was temporarily relieved of command on March 3, by Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. His relief has since been made permanent, and Christian will be reassigned to a new position in the Coast Guard. Wagner assumed temporary command of Gallatin following the relief. Wagner is also the commanding officer of the Coast guard Cutter Dallas, also homeported in Charleston. The cutters Gallatin and Dallas are scheduled to enter the Deytens Shipyards, Inc., Monday for extensive repairs. The total value of the contract award is between $9.85 million and $14.82 million, depending upon whether certain options are exercised. The performance period for the work is 193 days, but is subject to change if changes to the work are required. The shipyard will address areas of significant deterioration in the hull structures, bulkheads and decks, machinery foundations, various piping systems, ventilation systems, significant preservation, antenna renewals and weapon system repairs, as well as necessary shipyard maintenance requirements. Late last year Coast Guard inspectors and technical experts found extensive structural and habitability deficiencies on both ships that were so bad the ships were temporarily taken offline. These repairs will restore watertight and structural integrity to areas of the ships suffering from excessive corrosion. Additional work to other areas and systems will allow the ships to return to full operation. The Coast Guard solicited for this work under a full and open competition, and followed a disciplined process to award the contract from a robust pool of companies. Deytens Shipyards was selected because the firm offered the best value to the government based on technical capability, management approach and price. The 40-year-old cutter Gallatin has been in Coast Guard service since Dec. 20, 1968, and is a multi-mission platform used to enforce federal and international fishing regulations, conduct illegal migration and drug interdiction patrols, conduct search and rescue and homeland security missions. Gallatin has also played an integral part in the national defense of our country both at home and abroad, and has deployed with U.S. Naval and foreign naval units in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Black seas in support of multi-national exercises and operations. The Coast Guard’s MLC Atlantic provides maintenance and logistics support to Coast Guard commands in 40 states east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as commands in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Europe. MLCLANT provides support to all units and their personnel within Atlantic Area.
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