WAESCHE Commissioning Ceremony

WAESCHE Commissioning Ceremony
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Guardians,
Earlier today, I presided at the commissioning ceremony for our 2nd National Security Cutter (NSC), WAESCHE. The event was very well orchestrated and widely attended by local officials, industry members, and Coast Guard men and women from around the country. While much of our organizational focus has been on the DEEPWATER HORIZON oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, this ceremony served as a reminder of our multi-mission nature and the urgency for recapitalizing our aging fleet of cutters.

Congratulations to the crew of WAESCHE and all the people who diligently worked to make this ceremony happen.

WAESCHE is one of the most technologically advanced ships ever introduced into the Coast Guard and represents a much needed injection of new capabilities into our fleet. WAESCHE also serves as another positive milestone for our acquisition program. Upon acceptance, WAESCHE had 50 percent fewer trial cards (work items) than BERTHOLF did at the same period. We're confident that the third NSC, STRATTON which is scheduled to be christened on 23 Jul 2010, will continue that trend.

It was an honor to have Marilla Waesche, the granddaughter of Admiral Russell Waesche, as the cutter's sponsor. During my remarks, I highlighted Admiral Waesche's legacy. He is the longest tenured Commandant, having served from 1936-1945, and led the Service through the darkest days of World War II. At the height of the War, he directed the largest expansion in our history when the Service had over 176 thousand people, and operated over 750 cutters, 290 Navy vessels, 255 Army vessels and scores of small boats. He also successfully integrated all of the marine safety functions into the Service and oversaw the development and implementation of the Coast Guard Reserve and the Auxiliary. He was arguably the most influential Commandant in our history and it is an honor to have a ship named after such a great leader.

Today's ceremony was a proud moment for the entire Coast Guard. Bravo Zulu to WAESCHE and to all of our men and women working on the Gulf Coast. Just as Admiral Waesche demonstrated over 65 years ago, we are proving once again why we are America's Maritime Guardian.

VADM David Pekoske