Michael James Jones, 47, enlisted in the Coast Guard May 11, 1983, with his mother’s permission at the age of 17 and worked his way up the ranks as a machinery technician until he became a master chief petty officer, the highest enlisted rank.

Jones had many remarkable accomplishments throughout his career, but among the most notable are his involvement in the Coast Guard’s initial response after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and his participation in the capture of Iraqi prisoners of war in the Northern Persian Gulf.

Jones was the engineering petty officer aboard the Sandy Hook, N.J.,-based Coast Guard Cutter Adak during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Though the Adak’s steering system was completely disassembled for repairs when the crew learned of the attacks, Jones led his engineering team to effect temporary repairs that would enable them to steer by hand and get underway immediately. Consequently, the Adak was underway within two hours and was the first Coast Guard cutter to arrive in New York Harbor, where for 12 hours the crew acted as command and control and on scene commander for all Coast Guard units underway in New York and kept everyone out of the harbor except for the vessels directly providing rescue and assistance.

In 2003, Jones deployed with the Adak to the Northern Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was among the crew that captured the first maritime prisoners of war taken by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 24-member crew of the Adak plucked the three Iraqi sailors from the sea March 21, 2003, after they jumped overboard when their patrol boat was destroyed by coalition forces operating in the Gulf.

During the span of his 30-year career, Jones was assigned to 14 different units where he repaired countless small boats and cutters, assisted with the automation of numerous lighthouses along the New Jersey and New York coastlines, counseled hundreds of Coast Guardsmen, mentored multiple prospective chief petty officers, helped to train the Coast Guard cutter fleet, assisted with the shift of a cutter’s homeport and was involved in hundreds of Coast Guard missions and operations.

His duty stations include: Training Center Cape May, N.J.; Support Center Governor’s Island, N.Y.; Training Center Yorktown, Va.; Coast Guard Cutter Cape Hatteras in Petersburg, Ala.; Station Sandy Hook, N.J.; Station Beach Haven, N.J.; Coast Guard Cutter Dallas in Governor’s Island, N.Y., and Charleston, S.C.; Station Manasquan Inlet, N.J.; Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless in Galveston, Texas; Coast Guard Cutter Adak in Sandy Hook, N.J., and Bahrain; Station Barnegat Light, N.J.; Group Atlantic City, N.J.; Maintenance Logistics Command in Oakland, Calif.; and Afloat Training Group at Naval Station Mayport.

Jones’ has been awarded three Coast Guard Commendation Medals; a 911 Medal; three Coast Guard Achievement Medals; three Commandant’s Letters of Commendation; a Combat Action Ribbon; a Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with a hurricane device; a Joint Meritorious Unit Award; two Secretary’s Outstanding Unit Awards; two Coast Guard Unit Commendations; a Navy Unit Commendation; three Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations; two Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations; two Coast Guard “E” Ribbons; a Coast Guard Bicentennial Ribbon; nine Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals; two National Defense Service awards; an Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal; an Iraqi Campaign Medal; a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; an Armed Forces Service Medal; two Humanitarian Service Medals; a Special Operations Service Ribbon; four Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbons; a Coast Guard Rifleman Ribbon; a Coast Guard Pistol Ribbon with a sharpshooter device; a Cutterman’s Insignia; a Boat Forces Insignia and Command Chief and Senior Chief Insignias.

Jones said his retirement plans include hunting, fishing and opening a tree farm in Texas.

He will remain in Jacksonville at the home he shares with his wife, Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Heidi Eystad.

During his retirement ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Friday, May 24, 2013, Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Jones thanks his peers for the time he spent working with them during the previous 30 years. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen)

Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Jones (left) laughs during his retirement ceremony Friday, May 24, 2013, at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., as a peer tells stories about his time working with Jones. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen)

Family members, friends and peers of Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Jones laugh as they listen to stories from his 30-year Coast Guard career during his retirement ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., May 24, 2013.(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen)

Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area commander, presided over the ceremony.

“I have loved the sea from my earliest days when my father took me to the ocean and taught me to sail.  I am humbled by the opportunity to serve in the 14th District,” said Thomas. ”We will help those in distress, protect the public and preserve the sea in the Hawaiian islands and throughout the Pacific.”

Thomas most recently served as the Assistant Commandant for Response Policy where she oversaw the development of strategic response doctrine and policy guidance for all Coast Guard forces.

Previously Thomas served on Coast Guard Cutters Vigorous and Valiant, and commanded the Coast Guard Cutter Manitou. Other operational assignments include Group-Air Station Atlantic City and Commander, Sector Miami, Response Operations. Thomas served in the Enlisted Personnel Division of the Personnel Command as a program reviewer at Coast Guard Headquarters, the executive assistant to Atlantic Area, Fifth District and Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic Commanders and the Atlantic Area Resource Director. She served as the Commanding Officer of Training Center Cape May, served two years as the Chief of Staff to Principal Federal Official, Northeast Region, and as the predesignated Deputy PFO, Florida.

Her awards include five Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal and four Coast Guard Commendation Medals among many other personal, unit and campaign awards. She earned permanent cutterman status in 1994.

Thomas graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1984 with a BS in civil engineering. She graduated with distinction from the Naval War College with a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. She also holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Troy State University.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the commander of the 14th Coast Guard District and I am very proud of the Coast Guard men and women here and all they have done to serve the citizens of Hawaii and the South Pacific,” said Ray.

Ray has served as the 14th District commander since October 2010 and is leaving to assume the duties as Deputy Commander for Pacific Area in Alameda, Calif. Prior to this assignment, Ray served as the Director of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission for the Ministry of Interior and was responsible for leading advising efforts across all functions for the largest ministry in the government of Iraq. Prior to reporting to Iraq, Ray served as the Military Advisor to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. In that position he provided counsel and support to the secretary in affairs relating to policy and operations between DHS and the Department of Defense. Ray has served in department head and command positions while conducting search and rescue, drug interdiction, fisheries enforcement, immigration enforcement and defense operations across the Caribbean, Atlantic, Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea and pacific areas of operations.

Ray was cited for outstanding meritorious service as commander, 14th Coast Guard District, and awarded the Coast Guard Legion of Merit Medal. During his time in D14, Ray responded to increasing pressures on fishery resources throughout Oceania, formalized agreements with nine Pacific Island nations and innovatively deployed U.S. Navy combatants to support enforcement operations in remote areas. He leveraged partnerships with regional stakeholders in Australia, New Zealand and France to promote sustainability of living marine resources and enhance theater security by projecting an enforcement presence throughout a 20 million square mile region. In response to the unique challenges in the Pacific, he led the development of improved search and rescue procedures.

Ray has a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Administration from Purdue University, and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.

Headquartered in Honolulu, the 14th Coast Guard District area of operations encompasses more than 12.2 million square miles in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of a command to confirm to the men and women of the unit that the authority of command is maintained. The ceremony is a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

The boaters contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders at approximately 5 p.m. and reported their vessel ran aground.  During the communication, radio contact was lost, and the Autumn Swell’s crew immediately broadcast a mayday signal.

The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched crews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Ocracoke and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.

Once the Coast Guard arrived on scene, the two boaters abandoned the Autumn Swell and swam to the Coast Guard boat, where they were pulled from the water and taken to Station Ocracoke-small.

Gardiner was assigned as Chief, Thirteenth District Prevention Division, managing Coast Guard Prevention activities in the Pacific Northwest while building maritime relationships across four states and Canada.

Gardiner graduated from Eastern Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government/Pre-Law, and attended Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in 1984. His first assignment was to the Ice Operations Division at Coast Guard Headquarters.

In 1986, 1998 and 2005, Gardiner was assigned to the Marine Safety Office in Portland, Memphis and Valdez, Alaska. There in Valdez, Alaska, Gardiner assumed the role of Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Office Valdez, Captain of the Port, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, Federal On-Scene Coordinator and Officer in Charge Marine Inspection.

In 2007, Gardiner was assigned as the Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the East Coast, responsible for all Coast Guard security, safety, and environmental protection missions in the nation’s third largest maritime port complex.

Gardiner’s personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Transportation 9-11 Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation.

Following his retirement, Gardiner plans to spend time with his five grandchildren while planting in his garden in Deer Park, Wash.

Rear Admiral Keith A. Taylor, commander, Coast Guard District 13, congratulates Capt. Michael Gardiner, chief, 13th District Prevention Division, during his retirement ceremony in Seattle

Capt. Gordon Loebl, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, was the presiding official over the time-honored ceremony.

The Coast Guard Cutter Wire’s 7-person crew is responsible for domestic icebreaking, port security, search and rescue, aids to navigation and law enforcement operations. The Wire, a 65-foot icebreaking tug homeported in Saugerties, N.Y., was built in 1963.

Cairns, a native of Chicopee, Mass., will be reporting to the Coast Guard Cutter Pelican, an 87-foot patrol boat home ported in Abbeville, La.

Cross, a native of Wilmington, Vt., reports from Station Port O’Conner, Texas, where he served as executive petty officer.

The change of command ceremony is a formal, time-honored ceremony conducted before the assembled officers and enlisted persons of a command that formally restates the continuing authority of that command. The change of command is a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another.

Photos of the ceremony may be seen at the Coast Guard New Flickr page.

The boat crew rendezvoused with the Catalyst and safely removed the 58-year-old passenger, who was reportedly suffering heart attack-like symptoms, and transferred her to commercial medical services for further treatment.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders were contacted by the crew of the Catalyst who requested medical assistance for the passenger. The Station Juneau crew launched a short time later.

“A case like this highlights the training and proficiency of our boat crewmembers,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Powers, an operations specialist with Coast Guard Sector Juneau. “Shortly after we received the call we were able to respond quickly and get the patient to a higher level of care.”

The weather on scene at the time of the incident was 10 mph winds and 2-foot seas.

During the 57-day patrol, the Dependable crew conducted fisheries operations in the North Atlantic, and counter-drug and migrant interdiction operations in the Caribbean Sea.

In the North Atlantic, the Dependable crew was tasked with enforcing marine mammal protection laws and fisheries and safety regulations, successfully completing 18 boardings. In the Caribbean Sea, the Dependable crew took part in counter-drug and migrant interdiction operations alongside the DEA, Customs and Border Patrol, the Joint Interagency Task Force South and the Dominican navy.

Throughout the patrol, the crew constantly enhanced its readiness through drills and training exercises. The Dependable moored in Boston, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The cutter Dependable is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter with 85 crewmembers that conducts maritime safety, security and stewardship operations in the waters stretching from the U.S. and Canadian maritime border off New England, to the Florida Straits and greater Caribbean Sea.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dependable file photo by Petty Officer Third Class Mike Lutz

The Coast Guard reminds boaters and other water enthusiasts to consider the following while preparing for the boating season.

WEAR IT!

In 2012, almost 85 percent of 459 drowning death victims were not wearing life jackets. While there are many factors that can contribute to boating accidents, a properly fitting life jacket can save a life even after an accident has occurred.

Putting a life jacket on is much harder once you’re in the water — especially if you’re injured. Federal regulations require a life jacket onboard for each person on the boat, but the Coast Guard recommends that you wear your life jacket at all times when boating. There are state and federal regulations that require children of a certain age to always wear life jackets when on the water.

If you do find yourself in trouble and in the water, stay with your vessel for as long as possible, even if capsized. Do not try to swim for shore.

Click this link for more information about safe boating: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/

BE ALERT!

In 2012, the number one factor in all accidents was operator inattention, which contributed to 47 deaths and 359 injuries.  If you are operating your vessel, stay focused on that task alone.

• Avoid ship channels when practical. When crossing cannot be avoided, proceed directly across the channel quickly
• Be alert and watch for large commercial traffic
• Be seen, especially at night. Ensure navigation lights are working properly before beginning each voyage
• Know whistle signals – 5 or more blasts means danger
• Listen to VHF-FM radio channels 13 and 16 for security calls from commercial vessels
• Understand and observe the rules of the road

The Coast Guard encourages all boaters to participate in a boating safety class.  Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country for all types of recreational boaters of all ages. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons and state boating agencies sponsor these courses.

Boaters can learn more about boating safety courses in their state by going to http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boating_safety_courses_.aspx.

DO NOT OPERATE A VESSEL UNDER THE INFLUENCE

In 2012, alcohol was a contributing factor in nearly 17 percent of recreational boating fatalities. The use of alcohol while boating contributed to 280 accidents, 227 injuries and 109 deaths. Though the number of accidents in which alcohol was a contributing factor ranked sixth, boat operation under the influence, caused the greatest number of fatalities.

Being under the influence of alcohol can be more hazardous on the water than on land. The marine environment – motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray – accelerates impairment. These stressors cause fatigue that makes a boat operator’s coordination, judgment and reaction time decline faster when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can also cause an inner ear disturbance that may make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down.

The Coast Guard and state agencies have stringent penalties for violating BUI laws. Penalties can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges, and jail terms. The Coast Guard and the states cooperate fully in enforcement to remove impaired boat operators from the water.

SEE SOMETHING – SAY SOMETHING

A boater operating his or her boat while intoxicated is a danger to everyone. The Coast Guard, state and local law enforcement agencies rely on all boaters to help report dangerous conditions on the water.

In addition to helping the Coast Guard remove intoxicated boaters from the water, public reporting of suspicious activity, persons, or packages helps the Coast Guard keep American citizens and critical marine infrastructure safe.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Mariners are encouraged to invest in a VHF-FM radio as their primary means of distress calls on the water. Communication via VHF-FM radio is significantly more reliable than that of a mobile phone, especially in remote areas where mobile signal is intermittent.

Many new VHF-FM radios are equipped with Digital Selective Calling. This feature provides the mariner with an emergency function that will send a distress with the vessel’s information and Global Positioning System location at the press of a button. However, the DSC radio must be registered and must be interfaced with the GPS in order to accurately provide information to responders.

Boaters and paddlers who operate in remote areas are also encouraged to purchase and carry a 406 MHz, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or Personal Locator Beacon.  When a beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner’s contact information, emergency contact information, and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics.  Having this information allows the Coast Guard or other rescue personnel to respond appropriately.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Based on the size and type of a vessel, there may be specific federal requirements for safety equipment.  Click on the following link to review the federal requirement brochurehttp://www.uscgboating.org/fedreqs/default.html.

FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS

The Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boaters, including personal watercraft users, take advantage of the free Vessel Safety Check program every year. VSCs are offered by experienced members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons, two of the nation’s premier volunteer boating safety organizations. A VSC is the best possible way to learn about potential violations of state and federal requirements. But more importantly, these quick exams can keep your boat and passengers out of harm’s way.

Click here for more information or to contact a volunteer near you.

FLOAT PLAN

To ensure the safety of your vessel and all persons aboard, consider creating a float plan prior to your trip. Fill in all pertinent details and leave it with a reliable person who can be trusted to notify the Coast Guard in the event you do not return or check in as planned.

For more information about float plans click here http://www.floatplancentral.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf

CREATE A SAFETY LEGACY FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Twenty-four children under the age of 13 lost their lives while boating in 2012 and 42 percent of those victims died from drowning. Of the 10 children who died from drowning, only 20 percent were wearing life jackets.

The Coast Guard encourages the boating public to educate children on water safety.  There are kid-friendly resources ready for the task!

Boating Safety Sidekicks:  www.boatingsidekicks.com

Please have a safe and enjoyable 2013 boating season!

The two men were clinging to the hull of the boat in 12-14 feet of breaking surf when the Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay rescue crew arrived on scene and threw them a life line.

“One of the men was able to swim to the line and grab hold, but the other was too cold to let go of the boat,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Torre Taylor, the coxswain on the rescue boat. “He swam back and grabbed him and the crew pulled them to the boat.”

“It was my first time seeing everything come together,” said Seaman Noah Perry, a newly-qualified crewman. “And even though it was really intense, and we took a few breakers, everyone fell back on their training. It felt really good.”

The Coast Guard received the report from a good Samaritan who witnessed the event, and he stayed on scene to help vector the Coast Guard crew to the rescue. Thanks to his efforts, the Coast Guard was able to take the two men to shore, where one of the survivors was transferred to local emergency management services and treated for hypothermia. The two men were wearing life jackets, and the Coast Guard would like to remind everyone of the importance of a properly-fitting life jacket. Other safety equipment includes, hypothermic kits or first aid kits, flares, survival knife and strobe lights.

This case is a good reminder of the importance of boating safety. A small-craft advisory is in effect for much of the California coast. Boaters are strongly encouraged to monitor the weather conditions before heading out and while underway. For marine weather forecast click here. (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/)

While many boaters rely on cell phones for emergency communications on the water, VHF-FM radios are the most reliable forms of communication in the marine environment and work in areas where cell phones sometimes may not.  Additionally, when a mayday is broadcast over VHF-FM channel 16, the international hailing and distress frequency, response agencies and other nearby boaters can hear the distress call and offer immediate assistance. It is also a good idea for a boater to carry a cell phone in a waterproof container as a backup form of communication.

The Coast Guard also highly recommends all mariners equip their boats with emergency position-indicating radio beacons or personal locator beacons. EPIRBs and PLBs may be activated manually by the push of a button or automatically when coming in contact with water, depending on the model.

“Anyone can purchase an EPIRB at a marine supply store,” said Rear Adm. Karl Schultz, commanding officer for the 11th Coast Guard District. “When a vessel in distress, the EPIRB will float free automatically sending a signal which will be picked up by satellite and rescue coordination center worldwide will know the exact location.”

If there are any signs of distress, never hesitate to contact emergency crews for help. Call for help at the first signs of distress, and the Coast Guard is always standing by on marine channel 16.

Coast Guard Station Humboldt Bay rescue crew members, from left, Seaman Noah Perry, Petty Officer 2nd Class Torre Taylor, Seaman Jacob Roberds, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Louis Ciccoli, pause for a photo after saving two fishermen from the surf after a wave overturned their 16-foot boat off a jetty near Samoa, Calif., Thursday, May 23, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

From the cockpit to the classroom, one Coast Guard pilot is using his aviation background to get students excited about science.

Lt. Jeremy McKenzie, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., championed a project at Ellison School in Vineland, N.J., to launch a weather balloon into the stratosphere.

McKenzie and his project co-pilot, Michael Sormanti, a parent of an Ellison School student, assembled the weather balloon, which included a data-gathering sensor, a GPS device, a signaling device and a high-definition camera. The weather balloon also featured the school’s mascot, the Ellison Eagle, which was handcrafted by art teacher Kara Rossi.

The project, which was several months in the making, came to a successful completion May 20, 2013. The weather balloon was launched at 9:50 a.m. and ascended 86,409 feet above the Earth’s surface, where the balloon popped. With the help of a parachute, it safely descended and was recovered at 2 p.m. from a tree near Estell Manor, N.J.

“I think a lot of kids have lost the desire to study space and science since the retirement of the space shuttles,” said McKenzie. “There are so many cool things happening that people just don’t know about like the two-ton Curiosity Rover on Mars.”

McKenzie said his goal is to spark enough interest to ensure more children will grow up and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

“I would not have been able to pull off this experiment without my background in aviation,” said McKenzie. “Much of this project’s success was based on being able to understand weather predictions and how to apply the data appropriately to ensure a successful launch and landing.”

Also vital to the project’s success was the enthusiasm shown by everyone at the school, including the students, their parents and the faculty. On the day of the launch, a crowd gathered behind the school to watch the project take life after months of planning, fundraising and coordination.

McKenzie even coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to give them a head’s up about the weather balloon project.

“It was a pleasure coordinating the operation with Mr. McKenzie, and I hope it was exciting for all the students at Ellison School,” said Patrick Ream, staff specialist, FAA Atlantic City Tower.

Ellison’s head of school, Caroline Chapman, shares McKenzie’s goal of sparking interest in STEM fields.

“This was an amazing opportunity for our students to learn about both space and weather through a project they could really understand and get excited about,” said Chapman. ”We appreciate Mr. McKenzie bringing this idea our way and are thrilled that both the launch and landing were successful. We look forward to working with our students to analyze the data collected on the Ellison Eagle’s first mission to space!”

The students of Ellison School showed their enthusiasm during the launch, cheering and applauding as the weather balloon took flight. That level of excitement is exactly what many educators hope to inspire.

“There is a nationwide effort to get young people interested in STEM fields,” said Capt. Jonathan Russell, dean of engineering at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. “I applaud Lt. McKenzie in his efforts to spark the kids’ interest in these subjects and showing them how fun it is. It takes hard work, but the rewards are fantastic. My single greatest passion is trying to figure out how to get kids to think engineering is cool. I want to see the light bulbs go off, and we are willing to work as hard as we can to make that happen. We want to be the solution to the problem.”

McKenzie said the project was worth every bit of hard work that went into it, and was equally as rewarding for him as it was for everyone else.

“I found myself looking up theories and rules of science I hadn’t thought about since high school,” said McKenzie. “The kids kept asking such imaginative and interesting questions about what we were doing and what was going to happen. I got as much, if not more, out of the project as the kids did. It was incredibly rewarding in so many ways.”

Teachers, students and parents gather at Ellison School in Vineland, N.J., to launch the handmade Ellison Eagle, which was attached to a data-gathering sensor, camera, GPS device and weather balloon, Monday, May 20, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The Ellison Eagle, handmade by a teacher at Ellison School in Vineland, N.J., and attached to a data-gathering sensor, camera, GPS device and weather balloon, for a school-wide science project, is shown in the stratosphere 16 miles above the Earth’s surface, Monday, May 20, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

A graphic shows the path of the Ellison Eagle, which was handmade by a teacher at Ellison School in Vineland, N.J., and attached to a data-gathering sensor, camera, GPS device and weather balloon for a school-wide science project, Monday, May 20, 2013. The Eagle traveled 16 miles above the Earth’s surface into the stratosphere before the weather balloon popped and the eagle safely descended back to Earth. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Coast Guard Lt. Jeremy McKenzie, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot at Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., stands in the hanger near a helicopter, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cynthia Oldham)