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July 02, 2026

Message from the Director

Good afternoon, NOAA Corps,

This coming Saturday our great nation will mark a truly historic milestone. As we gather with family, friends, shipmates, and air crew, we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Two and a half centuries of freedom, innovation, and resilience is an incredible achievement.

As NOAA Corps Officers, we can trace our heritage to the early days of this republic. American leaders recognized early on that a free, prosperous nation required an intimate understanding of our coastal waters. Just 31 short years after our country was founded, Thomas Jefferson established the US Coast and Geodetic Survey to help safeguard our country’s coasts and to ensure safe and productive commerce and transportation by sea. From these early days to present, our mission has grown to exploring the secrets of our oceans, providing cutting edge atmospheric data, ensuring our economy thrives, and keeping our communities safe from environmental threats.

When you put on your uniform every day, you are carrying forward a legacy that dates back to the infancy of our country. As we celebrate 250 years of American history, we also celebrate the enduring spirit of exploration and stewardship that defines the NOAA Corps.

To those who are deployed or standing watch this weekend, trading the holiday routine at home for weeks over the horizon: thank you for your sacrifice, your adaptability, and your unwavering commitment.

Fly and sail safe out there, and Happy 250th, America!

All the Best,

Captain Ryan Wattam, NOAA
Director, Commissioned Personnel Center

Gulf Coast ACO Transition

This month, LTJG Megan Sixt is taking the helm as the new President of the Gulf Coast ACO.  LTJG Sixt brings a fresh energy to the region and is committed to making the Gulf Coast chapter both meaningful and impactful for all members.  In the coming months, active and retired officers in the Gulf Coast region will have opportunities to engage with the chapter and develop ways to better serve these officers and their families.

For any questions, suggestions, or comments for the Gulf Coast ACO, please email megan.sixt@noaa.gov.

2026 - Aviation Advisory Board: Initial Flight

Just a reminder to please let the assignment coordinator (assignmentbranch.cpc@noaa.gov), LCDR Trede, know by July 13th, 2026 if you plan to apply for initial flight training. 

 Materials for the application are due in November. Officers don’t need to be ready to submit in July, this deadline is just to state your intention to be on the December board so that we can work to get the interview scheduled. Officers can not be considered for the board without a completed interview.

Please refer back to the May 22, 2026 Cyberflash for all of the requirements in the application process and POCs for additional questions.

On the Horizon 

Approved Resignations, Separations and Retirements

Cyberflash is a NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center publication for active duty and retired members, families and supporters of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Questions? Contact noaacorps.policy@noaa.gov