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Our Mission Relevant Workforce

Mission Support continually changes and adapts to the ever-evolving operational landscape. In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Mission Support partnered with several communities and state and local partners to keep individuals and communities across the nation safe and secure by leveraging the skills, tools, systems and assets provided by the Mission Support organization.

U.S. Coast Guard partnered with the American Red Cross for a blood drive on U.S. Coast Guard Base Alameda collecting 28 pints from donors, most of whom were first-time Red Cross blood donors. "Donating blood is just one way your Coast Guard members are making a difference," said Command Master Chief Shane Hooker.

CMC Hooker added, "As members of the military and members of the first responder community, Coast Guard men and women are working around the clock to keep our waterways open for shipments of critical supplies while also answering emergency calls for mariners in distress."

The Coast Guard Exchange (CGX) partnered with Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) to conduct the second best CGMA Campaign in CGX history. CGX locations across the country sold coupons to support CGMA. The final count for the coupons sold at the conclusion of the campaign totaled 5,947 for a total of $29,735 of funds raised.

In June, Base Los Angeles Long Beach and Director of Logistics/Base staff in Alameda worked closely to establish a Memorandum of Understanding between PACAREA and the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Terminal Island to deploy tents for the prison's use. The tents assist the prison in combating the spread of COVID-19 throughout its population.

Members of the Coast Guard Academy faculty printed and tested over 200 masks using 3D printers at the Coast Guard Academy to determine the most effective masks. According to CDR Michael Plumley, the faculty members heard the story of Doctor Chris Wiles, who is designing and printing face masks for people across the country. The faculty members decided they could best help Doctor Wiles by determining the best 3D printing formula for mask design. The Coast Guard Academy published the information online for others to use and print 3D masks using their own 3D printers.

CDR Albert and CDR Workman assisted the U.S. Navy as part of the Combined Task Force-129 (CTF-129) in support of the USNS Comfort in “Operation Gotham”. This operation was a government response focused on providing increased medical capacity to New York City’s overwhelmed hospital system. CDR Albert and CDR Workman worked in New York City’s Multi-Agency Command Center located at the Javits Convention Center, as USNS Comfort’s liaison officers (LNO). As LNOs they provided direct multi-agency coordination with city, state, and federal officials, facilitating the transfer of patients from local hospitals to the USNS Comfort.

Coast Guard assets, along with New York Police Department and New York Fire Department assets, provided a security escort for the USNS Comfort’s arrival into New York Harbor. Coast Guard Cutter Shrike, Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak, Maritime Safety and Security Team New York, and crews from Coast Guard Station New York and Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod conducted the escort as the USNS Comfort arrived in New York City to assist in the COVID-19 response.

The Mission Support organization demonstrates mission relevance through leveraging new technologies, modernizing training, and expanding partnerships. Collaborations with external partners allows Mission Support to respond when the nation, workforce, and/or Coast Guard family needs assistance.

Coast Guard Senior Leadership continues to seek innovative COVID-19 response solutions and ideas. Please submit COVID-19 response best practices and lessons learned to the COVID-19 Challenge on the CGIdeas@Work platform.