USCGC WAESCHE - WELCOME ABOARD
LTGunner:
USCGC WAESCHE - WELCOME ABOARD
USCGC WAESCHE (WMSL 751)
BLAZON:
SHIELD: Azure, on a point in base Gris a point embowed Vert, on Gris a silhouette of the early CG Destroyer CG-9 Beale Sable, overall a lighthouse to dexter side, its lantern issuing a light beam to sinister Proper, all within a bordure Gules.
CREST: On a wreath Argent and Azure a stylized compass rose of the last, four mullets Or within its quadrants.
SUPPORTERS: Saltirewise behind the shield a trident Or and a Naval officer’s sword point to base Proper.
MOTTO: The words “STRENGTH ENDURANCE SERVICE” in Gold letters on a tripartite Dark Blue scroll doubled Gold and interlacing the tips of the sword and trident.
SEAL: The device as described above upon a white disc enclosed within a dark blue designation scroll edged on the outside with gold rope and inscribed “USCGC WAESCHE” at top and “WMSL 751” in base in gold letters.
SYMBOLISM
SHIELD: The lighthouse recalls Admiral Waesche’s profound influence and impact on the United States Coast Guard and its development through the twentieth century, particularly its amalgamation with the Lighthouse Service and Bureau of Marine Inspection. The destroyer Beale refers to the Admiral’s post as Commanding Officer of that ship and its significant link to the Navy, which transferred it to the Coast Guard. It belonged to the most sophisticated class operated by the Coast Guard at that time and has relevance to the Legend class, today’s most modern ships in the Service. It recalls also Coast Guard control of illegal activity in the early years of Admiral Waesche‘s career. Blue represents the Coast Guard; white denotes integrity and pursuit of the highest goals. The scarlet bordure signifies courage, sacrifice and unity of purpose of Coast Guard personnel and recalls the expansion of the Service during World War II.
CREST: The compass rose represents Admiral Waesche’s wide scope of activities and influence in developing the United States Coast Guard’s abilities as a major force in the protection of the nation and its interests, notably in maritime matters. The stars signify his high rank in the service and recall his distinction as the first Coast Guard officer to achieve such status. Gold denotes excellence.
Source: The Institute of Heraldry Coast Guard Section, USCGC Waesche, WMSL 751
LTGunner:
National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) Floats Off
The U.S. Coast Guard is pleased to announce today that the second National Security Cutter, Waesche (WMSL 751) floated off its building site on July 11, 2008. The float-off, which was the first time the Waesche entered the water, began on the evening of July 11, and was complete by the morning of July 12. The ship float-off involved moving the ship across land on a rail transfer system and ended with the ship being moored pier side. The ship has been under construction at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems yard in Pascagoula, Miss., since its keel was laid on Sept. 11, 2006.
The formal christening ceremony that celebrates this float-off is July 26, 2008 when the Waesche will be officially named. The christening does not mark the end of a ship’s construction process. Waesche will remain pier side and under construction through 2008. It is scheduled to begin its sea trials in 2009.
Waesche is named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche who was the first Coast Guard commandant to achieve the rank of Admiral and led the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, including during World War II. His granddaughter, Marilla Waesche Pivonka, is the ship’s sponsor.
Waesche is the second of eight planned National Security Cutters (NSC). The NSCs, part of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater major acquisition program, will be the flagships of the Coast Guard fleet and will replace the 378-ft Hamilton class High Endurance Cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. The first NSC, Bertholf, will be commissioned in Alameda, Calif. on August 4, 2008.
The next step:
• Waesche Christening, 26 July 2008
• Waesche Sea Trials, 2009
LTGunner:
Coast Guard Cutter Waesche Christened At Ingalls Shipyard
(Audio Is Weak .. turn up volume)
WASHED IN TRADITION: Marilla Waesche Pivonka (right), ship's sponsor, breaks a traditional bottle spraying the bow and platform guests at the christening of the Northrop Grumman-built U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751). The ship is named for her grandfather, Adm. Russell Randolph Waesche, who served as the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1936 until 1946. Also on the platform are (left to right) U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen; Mike Petters, vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding; and Paul Schneider, deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad W. Allen and Marilla Waesche Pivonka (right), the ship's sponsor and granddaughter of the ship's namesake, Adm. Russell Randolph Waesche, smile after the USCGC Waesche christening ceremony at the Northrop Gruman Shipbuilding facility in Pascagoula.
Posted: July 26, 2008 09:37 PM EDT
Updated: July 27, 2008 12:36 AM EDT
PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX)- It was not an average day at Ingalls shipyard. Admirals, shipbuilders and veterans all came together to christen the Waesche, the newest addition to the Coast Guard fleet.
"This ship brings state of the art capability to the Coast Guard," said Admiral Ronald Rabago. "It's really our most sophisticated asset that we've ever had."
Featuring cutting edge sensors, a state of the art boat and helicopter launching system and incredible speed, this new vessel is a source of great pride for the Coast Guard. It is the second of eight ships to be built in its class. Called the Legend class, these ships will be the most technologically advanced ships in the Coast Guard's fleet. The first ship in the series, the Bertholf, was also built at the Pascagoula facility.
The ship was named after the late Commandant Russell Waesche. His granddaughter, Marilla Waesche Pivonka, christened the ship.
"That was a thrill," Waesche Pivonka said.
But the ceremony meant much more to her than just excitement.
"It's very poignant and provocative for me, personally and to stand representing our grandfather."
Although the ship still isn't ready to set sail, it's captain and crew are already preparing for the Waesche's arrival in its future home in Alameda, California.
Captain Lance Bardo, who will command the ship, has been working to assemble a crew and is already training nearly fifty crew members.
"I think that building a crew is an unexpected challenge for me, " Bardo said. "(It's) a lot of work to bring a crew together and marry it up with a new ship and new technology."
The benefits are worth the extra effort.
Captain Bardo describes the Waesche as, "a vessel that can do all missions well and can do them on a day to day basis."
Video of Christening
Additional Article
Added YouTube right photo & text ... Buoy
BuoyJumper:
Meet The Commanding Officer Of The
Cutter WAESCHE, Captain Lance L. Bardo
PACAREA COMMAND WEBSITE FOR THE CGC WAESCHE
CAPT Bardo, a career cutterman, has served aboard six cutters over 26 years, commanding four cutters prior to CGC WAESCHE. His seagoing duty has included Fisheries enforcement and Search and Rescue in the Northwest Atlantic, Bering Sea and off the California coast, icebreaking on the Great Lakes, as well as extensive counter drug operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Most recently he served as Commanding Officer of CGC BOUTWELL from 2002 – 2004 and led the interdiction of over $1B in contraband in the Eastern Pacific. He served as Commanding Officer of CGC COURAGEOUS from 1999-2001, patrolling the Straits of Florida and Caribbean. He served as Executive Officer, USCGC CONFIDENCE, Port Canaveral, FL from 1995-97 where he patrolled the Caribbean. He served as Commanding Officer of USCGC NEAH BAY, Cleveland, OH from 1990-92 and patrolled the east coast of the U.S. on fisheries enforcement and conducted ice operations throughout the Great Lakes. He served from 1983-85 as Commanding Officer, USCGC CAPE WASH, Morro Bay, CA where he conducted search and rescue and law enforcement missions off the central coast of California. His initiation to sea duty began as a Deck Watch Officer and boarding officer aboard USCGC VIGOROUS, New London, CT where he patrolled the Caribbean and northwest Atlantic.
Recent staff tours include duty as Chief, Pacific Area Resources and Performance Management Staff from 2006-2007 and Operational Forces Manager for Pacific Area from 2001 – 2004 where he was responsible for the deployment and management of the Pacific Area cutter fleet, Tactical Law Enforcement Team and Marine Security Safety Teams. Earlier he served from 1997-99 as a political-military officer for Sub-Saharan Africa at the U. S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany where he coordinated joint military and security assistance activities through out Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He was assigned to the Officer Personnel branch at CG Headquarters from 1992-95 and the Programs Division at Coast Guard Headquarters from 1987-1990.
CAPT Bardo a native of Buffalo, NY, is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and an alumni of the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA where he earned a Master’s of Science degree in Operations Research. He has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals and the 9-11 Medal.
Captain Bardo's Welcome Aboard Message To The Crew Of The WAESCHE (pronounced way-she)
Welcome aboard the pre-commissioning crew of the CGC WAESCHE (WMSL-751)! I hope you are excited by the prospect of sailing on what will soon be the newest cutter in the fleet. As the plank-owner crew, we are honored to carry on ADM WAESCHE's legacy and look forward to living up to his reputation of integrity, innovation, and action as the longest serving Commandant during the trying years leading up to and including World War II. The fact that we will spend many months together as a crew training and preparing for our mission is a reflection of ADM Waesche's greatest accomplishments which centered around people including the creation of the CG Reserves, Auxiliary, SPARs, and integrated ship crews. The coming weeks will be filled with hard work, frustration, and uncertainty. I can assure you that will be offset by the accomplishment of coming together as a crew, breathing life into the ship, and getting underway to do the king's business around the world. To this career sailor, there is nothing more satisfying than a sunset at the end of the a full day at sea and few things more exciting than saving a life or busting a drug smuggler. And to cap that experience, we are sure to visit places around the world most only dream of.
If you are new to the Bay area, you have the fortune of being assigned to what I consider one of the premier areas of the country. This is a place of unparalleled natural beauty, with a sophisticated urban community that includes a phenomenal dedication to the arts and some of the best universities in the world. For the sportsman - from sailing to surfing to skiing, to hunting and fishing, hiking and camping, or mountain biking, or as a fan of professional sports - you are at the center of the universe. After over 26 years of being stationed around the world, I can think of no better place to be.
We currently have a small contingent in Pascagoula at the shipyard, and a handful of OS's training at the USN Cryptological Unit in Medina, TX. Most of you will be asked to report to Alameda, CA when you execute your orders so that we can get your personal affairs settled, assess the personnel and crew training needs based on your experience, and begin the process of preparing to take delivery of CGC WAESCHE and execute our missions. There will be a handful of officers and crew that will arrive late this spring and early this summer to form the organizational core of our crew. Until that time, the pre-commissioning crew of our sister ship, CGC BERTHOLF, will act as our command agents to coordinate your reporting date and location, and to act as your sponsor.
BuoyJumper:
Photo Release
Date: July 28, 2008
Contact: CG Public Affairs
Cutter WAESCHE Christened In Pascagoula, Mississippi
Coast Guard Cutter Waesche sits fully decorated and waits to become part of the Coast Guard's fleet at the Northrop
Gruman Shipbuilding facility in Pascagoula, Miss, July 26, 2008. The Waesche is the second Coast Guard National Security
Cutter to be christened. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Angelia M. Rorison
Marilla Waesche Pivonka, the ship's sponsor and granddaughter of the shipÕs namesake, Adm. Russell Randolph Waesche,
leads the crowd in song during the USCGC Waesche christening ceremony at the Northrop Gruman Shipbuilding facility in
Pascagoula, Miss, July 26, 2008.
Marilla Waesche Pivonka, the ship's sponsor and granddaughter of the ship's namesake, Adm. Russell Randolph Waesche,
accepts flowers from Caitlyn Dennis (left) at the start of the USCGC Waesche christening ceremony. Commandant Adm.
Thad W. Allen, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding president Mike Petters and Marilla Waesche Pivonka, the ship's sponsor
(right) and granddaughter of the ship's namesake, Adm. Russell Randolph Waesche, celebrate after breaking a bottle of
champagne over the newly christened Waesche's bow.
Photos: CG Visual Information Library
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