Photo by U.S. Coast Guard. John P. Currier landed a helicopter for the final time at the Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City before being relieved as the Ancient Albatross, a title awarded to the longest-serving Coast Guard aviator. The Northern Michigan resident passed on his title at the Change of Watch event on Wedensday, June 4th, 2014. MyNorthMedia would like to thank the Ninth Coast Guard District External Affairs Office for the following content.
The Coast Guard Ancient Albatross, Vice Adm. John P. Currier passed on the title of Ancient Albatross, Wednesday, to Rear Adm. John H. Korn, commander of the Coast Guard 7th District located in Miami, during a change of watch ceremony at Air Station Traverse City, Michigan.
Currier, the former vice commandant of the Coast Guard, previously served in Traverse City and is retiring in the area.
Korn, as commander of the 7th District, is responsible for all Coast Guard operations in the Southeast United States and Caribbean Basin including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The district encompasses an area of 1.8 million square miles and shares operational borders with 34 foreign nations and territories.
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Prior to assuming command of the 7th District, Korn served in a variety of operational and staff tours during his career, including assistant commandant for acquisition and cief acquisition officer of the Coast Guard 8th District headquartered in New Orleans; tours at Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas: Air Station New Orleans: Air Station Houston: and Aviation Training Center Mobil, Alabama and the Aviation Logistics Center.
Korn has attained pilot qualifications in the HH-52A, HH-3F, HH-60J, HH-65A/B and the HU-25, earning a FAA Airline Transport Pilot rating. His military awards include three Legions of Merit and six Meritorious Service Medals.
Currier, prior to retiring, stood the watch at six Coast Guard Air Stations, including Air Station Traverse City. He was designated an aeronautical engineer in 1982. Other assignments have included deputy program manager for the Coast Guard and Navy HH-60H/J joint helicopter acquisition at the Naval Air Systems Command, and chief of search-and-rescue operations and director of Auxiliary for the Coast Guard 9th District. Currier served at Air Stations Detroit and Miami, as well as at Coast Guard Pacific Area, assistant commandant for acquisition at headquarters, and Coast Guard 13th District in Seattle.
Currier is an aviator with over 6,000 flight hours in Coast Guard and Navy fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. His professional recognition includes the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, the Alaska Air Command SAR Pilot of the Year Award, American Helicopter Society Frederick L. Feinberg Award and the Naval Helicopter Association SAR Aircrew of the Year, all awarded for rescue operations.
The Coast Guard established the Ancient Albatross Award in 1966 to honor the longest-serving Coast Guard aviator. In 1988, the Coast Guard recognized the first Enlisted Ancient Albatross, the enlisted air crew member with the earliest graduation date from a Coast Guard class “A” aviation rating school. Award recipients exemplify the dedication and professionalism associated with long service to Coast Guard aviation.
Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Ferreira, of Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Alaska, will assume the title of Enlisted Ancient Albatross at a separate ceremony.