ALCOAST 464/25 - NOV 2025 2025 CAPT WILLIAM J. KOSSLER AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER AWARD RECEPIENT

R 181238Z NOV 25   MID120012215988U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 464/25
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2025 CAPT WILLIAM J. KOSSLER AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER AWARD
RECEPIENT
1. I am pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 Coast Guard
Aeronautical Engineering Officer of the Year Award. This annual
award, presented by the Assistant Commandant for Air and sponsored
by the Coast Guard Aviation Association (CGAA), recognizes
individual accomplishments and achievements within the Aeronautical
Engineering Program.
2. LCDR Gregory Bukata distinguished himself through his
professional competence, outstanding performance, and significant
impact on the Aeronautical Engineering mission and workforce.
Serving as the C-130J Product Line Engineer, LCDR Bukata led efforts
to extend depot maintenance intervals, to prevent premature airframe
retirement and reduce sustainment costs by up to 25%. He secured
COMDT (CG-41) approval, initiated an OEM study with Lockheed Martin
to further validate, and laid the groundwork for long-term program
improvements.
    a. In addition to his primary duties, LCDR Bukata stepped up to
lead the Long-Range Surveillance Product Line avionics and projects
teams for eight months, overseeing eight aircraft configuration and
upgrade projects to meet operational and cyber requirements. His
leadership ensured minimal operational impacts and accelerated
timelines for achieving a fully upgraded Block 8.1 C-130J fleet.
    b. As the C-130J Technical Warrant Holder, LCDR Bukata
safeguarded the airworthiness of the $2 billion Long-Range
Surveillance portfolio, resolving 40 urgent flight safety technical
requests and formulating 400 repairs in support of PDM overhauls.
He directed critical inspections for control boost pack and wiring
issues, aligning maintenance efforts across three air stations to
return aircraft to flight.
    c. Collaborating with COMDTs (CG-711), (CG-9311), (CG-41),
(CG-CYBER), and operational commanders, LCDR Bukata developed
strategies for secure communications and 64-bit encryption policy,
expanding capabilities for deployed C-130J aircraft supporting
INDOPACOM and SOUTHCOM missions.
    d. A dedicated leader and mentor, LCDR Bukata volunteered over
100 hours to mentor 500 students through a collaborative Partnership
In Education program and served on the National Partner
Identification team to enhance Coast Guard community engagement.
His commitment to the workforce, community, and aeronautical
engineering excellence makes him most deserving of recognition as
the CAPT William J. Kossler Aeronautical Engineer of the Year.
3. The selection process was extremely competitive. The panel was
impressed by the performance, leadership, commitment and noteworthy
contributions to the Aeronautical Engineering program by all of the
nominees. They are all deserving of honorable mention, and are
listed in alphabetical order:

CDR B. Belanger         AIRSTA Puerto Rico
LCDR N. Brock            AIRSTA Savannah
AVI J. Brundage          AIRSTA Clearwater
LCDR K. Euchler          AIRSTA Astoria
AVI J. Gross                AIRSTA Corpus Christi
AVI M. Lewis               AIRSTA Barbers Point
LCDR A. Lloyd             AIRSTA Humboldt Bay
CDR M. Miller              AIRSTA Cape Cod
AVI C. Morris               AIRSTA Clearwater
LCDR R. Pfaff               AIRSTA Detroit
AVI J. Roberts              AIRSTA Kodiak
LCDR S. Smith             AIRSTA Ventura

4. The award will be presented to LCDR Bukata at the next CGAA
Gathering to be held in Houston, TX from 28 April - 02 May 2026.
5. RDML M.E. Campbell, Assistant Commandant for Aviation (CG-AIR),
sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.