Photo By 1st Sgt. Daryl Madrid | Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, stands for a unit photo with...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and Joint Task Force Guantanamo often host many high-ranking military officials. Yesterday, during the most recent visit, Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, the 25th commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and his wife, Fran DeNinno-Zukunft, U.S. Coast Guard ombudsman, came to talk to Coast Guardsmen both stationed and deployed here, and tour the facilities.
With a full itinerary, the Zukunfts were able to split up and speak to the naval base commanding officer to learn more about what Port Security Unit 308 is doing here, tour Camps V and VI, visit the Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team, talk to the chaplains and speak to the Maritime Security Detachment as a whole.
“I am here to listen to what your concerns might be, maybe put some of those to rest, but at the same time there’s good news to tell about what is going on in the Coast Guard,” Zukunft said.
Among the news Zukunft shared with the Coast Guardsmen here was the new retirement options that will be available around mid-May and reassurance that he would cut down operations before he cuts down the reserve force.
But before opening up the floor to questions, Zukunft had the opportunity to award four Coast Guardsmen for their hard work and dedication to the mission here. After being nominated by their leadership, Petty Officer 1st Class Britton Schneider, Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Toomey, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Morrison and Petty Officer 3rd Class Jabari Arnold received challenge coins and thanks for their contributions.
“He said it’s great having someone like you with that experience. It made me feel good and that I am needed here,” Schneider said.
While Adm. Zukunft checked on the Coast Guardsmen, DeNinno-Zukunft came to see how families were doing. Her primary focus is on Coast Guard families, and the health and well-being of service members.
“His wife came and spoke about making sure our families are taken care of back home, and then he came and checked on us. That’s great team work right there. It’s good to know that I won’t have to worry about my family back home,” Arnold said.
“It was a great visit, and we really appreciate JTF for helping make this an excellent visit for the commandant. He had a chance to have some insights on what we do and the great JTF workforce that we do work with,” said Cmdr. Ronzelle Green, MARSECDET commanding officer. “The commandant was ecstatic with the professionalism, not just with the Coast Guard guys but with all of the JTF.”
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2015 16:00 |
| Story ID: | 161802 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Hometown: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 394 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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