NEWPORT, R.I. - (Left to right) Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officers Christopher Kukla and Peter MacDougall, Vice Adm. Vivien Crea, and Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Guthlein gather together in front of a 25-foot response boat at Coast Guard Station Castle Hill after a change of watch ceremony Wednesday, July 1, 2009, during which Guthlein became the Coast Guard's Ancient Keeper. Guthlein is the third person in the service to bear the title, which recognizes a Coast Guardsman with outstanding performance and longevity of service in boat forces operations. Kukla is the Coast Guard's Silver Ancient Mariner, the enlisted member who personifies the dedication and professionalism associated with long service at sea and who has held the distinction of Cutterman longer than any other officer or enlisted member. MacDougall and Crea are the enlisted and officer Ancient Albatrosses, respectively, meaning they are the enlisted and officer aircrew members on active duty with the earliest graduation date from an aviation technical school. (USCG photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen)
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