ANCIENT ALBATROSS CHANGE OF WATCH

R 132141Z JUL 11ALCOAST 332/11COMDTNOTE 1650SUBJ: ANCIENT ALBATROSS CHANGE OF WATCH1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE RADM GARY T BLORE WILL TRANSFER THE HONORAND MANTLE OF THE ANCIENT ALBATROSS TO VADM JOHN P. CURRIER ON 14JULY 2011 AT SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER ASTORIA, OR. RADM BLORE ACCEPTEDTHE ANCIENT ALBATROSS ARTIFACTS DURING A CEREMONY IN ELIZABETH CITY,NC ON 01 OCTOBER 2009.2. THE ANCIENT ALBATROSS IS A PRESTIGIOUS HONOR BESTOWED UPON THEINDIVIDUAL WHO HAS HELD AN AVIATION DESIGNATION FOR THE LONGESTPERIOD OF TIME. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1966, THERE HAVE BEENTWENTY-TWO AVIATORS ACCORDED THIS RECOGNITION.3. AS RADM BLORE PREPARES TO TRANSITION INTO RETIREMENT FROM ACTIVESERVICE, WE SEND OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR HIS LONG AND DEDICATEDSERVICE TO COAST GUARD AVIATION AND TO OUR NATION.4. I CONGRATULATE VADM CURRIER ON HIS DESIGNATION AS OUR TWENTY-THIRDANCIENT ALBATROSS. IN THIS CAPACITY I AM CERTAIN HE WILL ABLYREPRESENT THE RICH TRADITIONS OF COAST GUARD AVIATION AND THEHUNDREDS OF COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN WHO FLY AND PROVIDE DAILYSUPPORT FOR COAST GUARD MISSIONS.5. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT AND THIRTEENTH GOLD ANCIENT MARINER,SENDS.6. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.