ALCOAST 261/19 - AUG 2019 SELECTION OF THE 2018 MINOR AND MAJOR CALIBER GUNNERY AWARD RECIPIENTS

united states coast guard

R 091021 AUG 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 261/19
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  SELECTION OF THE 2018 MINOR AND MAJOR CALIBER GUNNERY AWARD RECIPIENTS
A. Recognition Programs Manual, COMDTINST M1650.26 (series)
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 260955 APR 19/ALCOAST 133/19
1. I am pleased to announce CGC CONFIDENCE and CGC HAMILTON as the recipients of the
2018 Minor and Major Caliber Gunnery Awards. This award was originally presented to
the USCGC SNOHOMISH in 1927. The Gunnery Award is presented annually to recognize
cutters that best demonstrate exceptional minor and major caliber weapons ordnance
programs. The winner in each category exhibited a stellar commitment to ordnance readiness.
    a. As the 2018 Minor Caliber Gunnery Award recipient, CGC CONFIDENCE crew exemplified
Coast Guard gunnery excellence and set a high standard for mission execution and fleet
readiness. CGC CONFIDENCE is equipped with a MK38 Mod 1 Gun Weapons System and a
complement of small arms. Their superlative achievements included compliance during the
cutter’s Ordnance Safety Inspection (OSI) and Ordnance Technical Inspection (OTI), 100
percent operational readiness of its main battery throughout FY-18, and certification at
Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) and Tailored Ships Training
Availability (TSTA). CGC CONFIDENCE had no casualties on installed Combat Systems, and
experienced no ordnance mishaps or Missing, Lost, or Stolen (MLOS) events.
    b. As the 2018 Major Caliber Gunnery Award recipient, CGC HAMILTON demonstrated
exceptional dedication to excellence in ordnance operations, maintenance, and training.
CGC HAMILTON is equipped with a MK110 Gun Weapons System, MK46 Electro-Optical Sighting
Systems, MK53 Decoy Launching Systems, and small arms. Their outstanding achievements
included compliance during the cutter’s OSI and OTI, submitted timely eLog reports,
maintained 100 percent operational readiness of its main battery throughout FY-18, and
achieved certification at CART and TSTA. CGC HAMILTON experienced no ordnance mishaps
or MLOS events.
2. Both cutters will have their name engraved on a plaque above the original Gunnery Award
Trophy, a historical artifact, located at the Weapons School at TRACEN YORKTOWN.
3. I commend all the cutters that submitted award packages for consideration. Each unit
demonstrated a strong commitment to ordnance program excellence.
4. The selection panel for these awards included representatives from COMDT (CG-721),
SFLC-ESD-EOB, Afloat Training Organization, and FORCECOM (FC-Aws).
5. Questions regarding the Minor and Major Caliber Gunnery Awards may be directed to
CWO Jason Smith, COMDT (CG-721) at 202-372-2347 or via email, Jason.T.Smith@uscg.mil
6. RDML Matthew W. Sibley, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.