Going Out When Everyone's Coming Back: Stories to Inspire Young People

This book is a collection of life stories I wrote many years ago and intended to pass down to my children and grandchildren. I lived an early life of excitement, accompanied by some danger. Along the way, many of my friends perished while striving to save lives on the high seas. We were Coast Guard Aviators and Aircrewmen, standing ready to launch in our helicopters and airplanes on a moment’s notice whenever duty called. In that sense, we were no different than a much larger cadre of emergency services personnel: police, firemen, and paramedics/EMTs who perform heroically around the clock to protect the citizens of our country. The only difference is that my world comprised the oceans and atmosphere of the planet. I operated over the Atlantic, North Pacific and Caribbean seas, and in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Looking back, I realize now that I was both highly skilled in my profession and incredibly lucky. While never flying in combat, I battled ferocious weather, total darkness, severe turbulence, and raging seas on many occasions. When it became almost too difficult to control my aircraft, I relied on my training, and it sustained me. My faith in God and the support of my family were my bulwark of strength. Even though I was educated as an engineer, for most of my Coast Guard career I was a manager. I managed people and expectations, hurdling stressful, threatening situations to achieve good outcomes. Along the way, I accumulated a great deal of aeronautical knowledge and experience. Promotions resulted in new challenges. Thirsting for operational exposure, I moved my family from one Coast Guard Air Station to another, spurning staff assignments. I rose in rank to the grade of Captain and was honored to be offered command of the Coast Guard’s largest overseas air station. The reader will see my metamorphosis from a young, eager, and inexperienced aviator to a seasoned and cautious professional. As the saying goes, “There are old aviators and bold aviators, but there are no old, bold aviators.” Most of the book’s chapters deal with selected events that occurred at various Coast Guard Air Stations where I was assigned. They defined me, as I grew older and wiser. I have included some mention of my family, who unflinchingly took the journey at my side. The last chapter, far longer than the others, chronicles a series of events that occurred over a three-year period when I commanded Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska. Alaska is known as the Last Frontier. The name implies a boundless wilderness full of danger and high reward. As a leader, I placed my imprint on the lives of 350 men and women, who looked to me for courage, devotion to duty, and fairness. I have always considered that experience as the highest achievement of my life. It could not have been possible without the patience, grace, and devotion of my wife. There’s another expression handed down over hundreds of years and known as the unofficial motto of the Coast Guard. “You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back.” The suggestion was we were expendable. One of my favorite commanding officers had a sign placed over the hangar with the inscription, “You do have to come back!” I liked that sentiment. I was one of many thousands who have flown lifesaving missions in Coast Guard Aviation. I could never equal the feats of many of my comrades, some of whom perished in devotion to the mission. So, I’ll raise a glass to those brave men and women who go out into the storm when everyone else is coming back.