ALCOAST 292/21 - AUG 2021 2020 CAPTAIN GODFREY L. CARDEN AND BM1 JOHN C. CULLEN MARITIME SECURITY RESPONSE OPERATIONS (MSRO) EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

R 111245Z AUG 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 292/21
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2020 CAPTAIN GODFREY L. CARDEN AND BM1 JOHN C. CULLEN
MARITIME SECURITY RESPONSE OPERATIONS (MSRO) EXCELLENCE AWARD
WINNERS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 261246Z MAR 21/ALCOAST 119/21
1. The Captain Godfrey L. Carden and BM1 John C. Cullen MSRO
Excellence Awards recognize a Coast Guard unit and individual,
that have consistently demonstrated outstanding contributions
and achievements in the Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security
(PWCS) mission, specifically in the performance of MSRO activities.
REF (A) solicited nominations.
2. I am honored to announce that Sector Houston Galveston is awarded
the 2020 CAPT Godfrey L. Carden MSRO Unit Excellence Award and LTJG
Christopher White is awarded the 2020 BM1 John C. Cullen MSRO
Individual Excellence Award.
   a. Sector Houston-Galveston (SHG) demonstrated exceptional and
remarkable MSRO performance and championed critical security
initiatives during CY20. SHG executed a wide array of MSRO
activities across two Captain of the Port zones and two states,
including the Greater Galveston Bay and Golden Triangle Port
complexes, and the nation’s fourth largest metropolitan area
(Houston). In 2020 SHG led the Coast Guard in MSRO activities
totaling 2,390 and accounting for 55% of Coast Guard District
Eight’s workload to include 15 High Capacity Passenger Vessel
escorts, 226 High Interest Vessel security boarding's and 192
Certain Dangerous Cargo escorts, 5,553 MSRO patrols, 381 Small
Vessel Security Boarding's, 3 ferry security operations, 207
shore-side security patrols, and 10 Military Out-Load operations.
Despite a record-breaking hurricane season (eight named storms
in the Gulf alone) occurring amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, SHG
maximized MSRO Performance Efficiency with an average of 91.75%
across the Houston-Galveston and Port Arthur COTP zones. These
efforts required special maritime security operational management
of a massive force laydown that protected the public and critical
infrastructure, coupled with initiatives which are now being
performed throughout the entire Coast Guard.
   b. LTJG Christopher White displayed an unwavering commitment to
the MSRO program at Sector Long Island Sound. LTJG White partnered
with Sector Long Island Sound (SLIS) field units to achieve a
consistent 90% or greater Efficiency Metric in Q2, Q3 and Q4 CY20.
LTJG White and his field units are responsible for 15% of all Risk
Reduction in District 1 and protection of the second highest amount
of Maritime Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources in District 1.
LTJG White reviewed 800 MSRO Cases for accuracy in CY20, ensuring
all entries were correct and completed in a timely manner. He also
conducted training with field unit reviewers to reduce data errors
before they were put into the RB-MSRO tool, reducing time needed to
make corrections. Additionally, under LTJG White’s leadership, he
collaborated with the MSRO Program to train and employ SLIS’s patrol
boats to conduct PWCS patrols, resulting in the mission efficiency
metric increasing by 2 -3% on average per month. LTJG White fostered
partnerships with OGAs on a daily basis to enhance the MSRO mission
results. One example of this is LTJG White’s participation in the
Collaborative Operations by Response Agencies (COBRA) Initiative.
LTJG White expertly led the Sector Boarding Team during 17 COBRA
operations throughout CY20. During these expansive operations, over
30 law enforcement agencies provided overt presence across the
Connecticut and Long Island multi-modal transportation system. LTJG
White was pivotal in the coordination of Coast Guard assets to
support these operations and building partnerships with agency
representatives. During the operations, LTJG White and SLIS
personnel conducted vehicle and passenger screening and provided an
armed presence on board ferries to deter, detect and defeat any
threat to the ferry system including radiological devices and Active
Shooter/Active Threat scenarios. For their efforts, LTJG White and
the SLIS Enforcement Division received the 2020 Outstanding Law
Enforcement Team Award from the Federal Executive Association of
Connecticut.
3. I commend all the nominees for their Service to Nation, Duty to
People, and Commitment to Excellence. I admire our dedicated units
and individuals who have conducted MSRO activities since 9/11. They
have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to excellence in
leadership, initiative, and risk reduction to successfully safeguard
our fellow citizens and the Marine Transportation System.
4. I am pleased to recognize the below unit nominees, listed
alphabetically, for their teamwork and successful contributions
to MSRO:
   a. Sector Boston
   b. Sector Colombia River
   c. Sector Jacksonville
   d. Sector Long Island Sound
   e. Sector Maryland-National Capital Region
   f. Sector New York
   g. Sector Northern New England
   h. Sector South Eastern New England
   i. Station Portsmouth Harbor, NH
5. I extend my sincere thanks to the units who nominated their
personnel and to the nominees for their hard work and efforts that
kept America safe from maritime security risks. I am pleased to
recognize LTJG Frank Baker-Gleason, Sector Jacksonville, and MEC
Jonathan Palmer, Sector Juneau, for their admirable performance,
leadership, and fortitude while conducting and overseeing MSRO
activities.
6. POC: Direct questions regarding the awards to MECS Tony Rennell,
COMDT (CG-MSR-1) at: (202) 372-4002 or Dale.A.Rennell@uscg.mil.
7. RDML S. W. Clendenin, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy
(CG-5R), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.