Against a blue-sky backdrop of Menemsha Pond, members of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Menemsha fell into rank Monday to recognize the advancement of one officer and the departure of two others.
Senior chief Justin Longval presented plaques and medals of achievement to machinery technician second class Jason Breau and boatswain’s mate second class Joel Behr, who are both are being transferred to new assignments after four years at station Menemsha.
Mr. Breau will move to a station in St. Croix, where he will soon advance to the rank of machinery technician first class. Chief Longval commended him for significant improvements to the 47-foot Coast Guard vessel as well as consistent maintenance of other vessels in the Coast Guard fleet during his time in Menemsha.
Mr. Behr is being transferred to station Polar Star in Seattle, where he will serve aboard an ice breaker that, among other duties, makes annual trips to Antarctica to resupply the McMurdo scientific research station. At station Menemsha, he advanced from boatswain’s mate third class to second class and was certified as a heavy-weather coxswain.
Chief Longval also commended him for navigating the successful rescue of two passengers aboard a disabled vessel during Hurricane Dorian in the fall of 2019, where winds gusted above 30 knots and swells climbed above the deck. The two passengers and their vessel were safely transported back to their port in Westport.
“Good luck on your next endeavor,” Chief Longval said to both departing officers.
At the direction of the sector commander, Chief Longval also presented the advancement of Montgomery Buffington from boatswain’s mate second class to boatswain’s mate first class. Mr. Buffington’s family attended the ceremony, adjusting his lapels before receiving the honorary plaque.
“He is now a senior petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard,” Chief Longval said. “He is part of my command cadre.”
Petty officer Buffington has two years remaining at station Menemsha. He thanked his family for their dedication inside and outside the Coast Guard outfit, and he thanked his fellow officers for keeping him in good shape.
“I wouldn’t be standing here today without you,” he said.
Chief Longval also recognized members of the Auxiliary Flotilla 11-09 with a meritorious team commendation award for their service. The group of seven volunteers has dedicated hundreds of hours to standing watch and leading community events. In his two years based in Menemsha, Chief Longval said auxiliary members have become an integral part of the team.
“They have had a very positive and very consistent impact,” he said.
He specifically recognized flotilla commander Joseph Berini and staff officer Wayne Iacono, both of whom volunteered over 300 hours last year, for the performance of their duties.
The morning ceremonies began with a detailed inspection of the tropical blue long uniform for all 20 active crew members and a rundown of duties and projects for the summer ahead.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Chief Longval said.
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