'Semper Paratus — Always Ready' District Honors US Coast Guard

The stamp depicts two U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) icons: the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship known as “America’s Tall Ship,” and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the standard rescue aircraft of the USCG. 

L to R: District Manager Jeffery Taylor; Manager, Marketing Juan Nadal; USCG Captain Melissa Bert; and Executive Officer USCG Air Station Miami Commander Chad Bland at the dedication ceremony in Opa-locka.

Photos: Mirtha Uriarte, Miami Customer Relations Coordinator

One of the largest response-and-rescue efforts in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) took place in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast. As the city of New Orleans was deluged by 20-foot high flood waters, tens of thousands of residents were left clinging to rooftops or huddling in attics. Some 5,000 personnel rushed to the scene, and a large percentage of the USCG helicopter fleet deployed. That included the USCG Air Station Miami.

Last week was the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. On August 27, South Florida District Manager Jeffery Taylor presented an enlargement of the USCG stamp to Captain Melissa Bert, Seventh District Chief of Staff at the USCG Air Station Miami. Captain Bert is responsible for oversight of USCG operations in the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean. Under her leadership are an active duty, reserve, civilian, and volunteer workforce of 10,000 people. 

Nationwide, the USCG has more than 49,000 active-duty men and women; 7,300 reservists; 8,300 civilian employees and 30,000 volunteer auxiliary personnel. In addition to saving lives at sea, members of the Coast Guard enforce maritime law, oversee aids to navigation, conduct ice-breaking operations, protect the marine environment, respond to oil spills and water pollution, ensure port security, support scientific research at sea, combat terrorism and aid in the nation’s defense. 

During an average day, USCG personnel assist more than 300 people in distress, save more than two million dollars in property, board 90 large vessels for port safety checks, conduct 120 law enforcement boardings, and investigate more than a dozen marine accidents.

At the dedication ceremony, Captain Bert proudly spoke of her personal experience sailing on the Eagle and was honored that the U.S. Postal Service selected the Eagle to tell the history of the USCG fleet and the MH-65 Dolphin to promote all of its technology.

On behalf of the South Florida postal workforce, Taylor thanked the USCG for serving and protecting the nation. He was especially proud of recognizing Royal Palm P&DC Supervisor, Maintenance Operations Kenny Franz, who serves as a volunteer and officer in the USCG auxiliary in Homestead. 

Commander Chad Bland, Executive Officer U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami, also participated in the dedication. He is second in command of the USCG's Seventh District’s Air Station. He is responsible for USCG operations from Georgia throughout the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Commander Bland oversees all aspects of maintenance, operations, and personnel management for 292 USCG members and the 61-acre facility at Air Station Miami.

Following the stamp dedication, guests toured Air Station Miami and got a closer look at the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and the HC-144A aircraft. 

On August 27, the USCG Air Station Miami was on "high alert" for Tropical Storm Erika. 

“Semper Paratus — Always Ready.”

Supervisor, Customer Services Tayloria McPhee-Johnson (center) sang the National Anthem during the official program at the USCG Air Station Miami. Also pictured are Manager, Marketing Juan Nadal in the background and USCG Captain Melissa Bert to the right.

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami

(Pictured in suit is Royal Palm P&DC Supervisor, Maintenance Operations Kenny Franz who is a volunteer and officer in the USCG auxiliary in Homestead.)

L to R: Miami Postmaster Enrique Suarez, Postal Police Sergeant Favis Fuentes, Assistant Inspector In Charge Delany DeLeon-Colon, Postal Police Captain Donald Martin, and Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge David Guiney in front of the H-65 Dolphin helicopter.

Miami Postmaster Enrique Suarez (left) and Fort Lauderdale Officer In Charge David Guiney (right) enjoyed the official program.

L to R: Postal Police Sergeant Favis Fuentes, Postal Inspector Bladismir Rojo, Assistant Inspector In Charge Delany DeLeon-Colon, and Postal Police Captain Donald Martin pose in front of the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. 

A closer look at the navigation system of the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.

The USCG's HC-144A Ocean Sentry Medium Range Surveillance aircraft particularly is effective in locating small objects such as inflatable motorized rafts and other small vessels in large search areas. The HC-144A aircraft performs aerial delivery of search and rescue equipment such as rafts, pumps and flares. It also is used for surveillance, cargo transport, emergency drops and support to other law enforcement units.