Coast Guard to commission new cutter in Alexandria, Va

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/20/2018 04:09 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

July 20, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard 5th District PA Detachment Baltimore
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Baltimore
Office: (410) 576-2541
After Hours: (757) 202-3429
PA Detachment Baltimore online newsroom

Coast Guard to commission new cutter in Alexandria, Va

USCGC Bruckenthal small

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WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard is scheduled to commission its newest Fast Response Cutter, the Nathan Bruckenthal, during a ceremony at Alexandria City Pier, Wednesday.

WHO: Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Karl Schultz, and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal

WHAT: Commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard's newest Fast Response Cutter

WHERE: Old Town Alexandria Harbor 
(Alexandria City Pier behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center)
105 N Union St
Alexandria, VA 22314

WHEN: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Media should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.)

Spots are limited; please RSVP to Coast Guard 5th District External Affairs at 410-576-2541 by 3 p.m. Tuesday for the ceremony. Interested media may RSVP earlier and request to ride along with the Bruckenthal on the cutter’s way to port on Tuesday.

The cutter is named after Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, who was mortally wounded during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Bruckenthal thwarted a multi-vessel suicide attack on an oil terminal in the Arabian Gulf in 2004.  His actions prevented further loss of life, environmental damage, and the destruction of key infrastructure.  For his courageous actions, Bruckenthal was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment that allow their crews to more effectively conduct the Coast Guard’s statutory missions.

The Nathan Bruckenthal's new homeport will be Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.

For more information about Fast Response Cutters, visit the Coast Guard Acquisition FRC program website.

-USCG-