Front, Cape May Coast Guard personnel listen to commandant April 22. Photo by Jack Fichter. Left, Adm. Allen talks with Cape May Station personnel during visit. CG Photo by CWO Veronica Bandrowsky

CAPE MAY -- U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen visited Training Center Cape May (TRACEN) April 22 addressing recruits and staff about how the Coast Guard intends to keep up with rapidly changing technology and uncertain economic times.

After landing in a helicopter and having chow, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd) accompanied Allen to a stage in the training center's gym.

Allen and LoBiondo presented a Meritorious Unit Award to TRACEN for completing one of the largest scale renovations of any training center in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Allen said the work took place from 2003 to 2006, “During a time of scarce acquisition, construction and improvement funding.”

He said the work included a $9-million renovation of the largest healthcare facility in Coast Guard, a $5-million refurbishment of recruit barracks, a $3.5-million pier rehabilitation and a $1.5 million modernization of the dining facility here During the time the renovation was under way, TRACEN graduated over 11,300 men and women, said Allen.

Allen's speech mirrored parts of his annual State of the Coast Guard Address he gave in Washington in February highlighting ongoing modernization and initiatives underway to improve training, financial management and unity of efforts across all levels of government.
Wearing a wireless microphone, Allen walked about the stage as he addressed the capacity audience. He said as a lieutenant from 1979 to 1982, he served as group commander of Air Station Atlantic City.

Allen said Coast Guard support functions would be organized over the next 12-18 months around “service centers” for surface forces, aviation forces, shore infrastructure, command control communications and personnel. He said the Coast Guard was requesting the creation of two, new Deputy Commandants, one for mission support, and one for operations.

“We are doing away the distinction between Atlantic and Pacific areas,” said Allen. “We'll create a single Coast Guard operational command in the Tidewater area.”

A Force Readiness Command will be created in Alameda with a focus on force allocation, standardization and training. Under discussion, having everything except the Coast Guard Academy including training, under the Force Readiness Command, said Allen.
He said while the Coast Guard is a small service, “like a family,” it has close to a $9 billion budget.

Allen fielded questions from recruits and training center personnel.

On a question of how growth of the Coast Guard would impact TRACEN in Cape May, Allen said with its current missions of homeland and marine security, the Coast Guard is not big enough to meet all those demands.

“We have to have an conversation with America, the administration and with Congress whether or not the Coast Guard is the right size to carry out its missions,” he said.

A member of TRACEN's engineering staff asked Allen if their work would be moved to a central location outside of Cape May. She said staff members were concerned the loss of expertise on site would adversely affect TRACEN.

Allen said he did not think anything in Cape May would “materially change.” How maintenance is supported logistically here is what will change, he said.

Allen said those who offer services for the command would remain in Cape May.