The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(PORTSMOUTH, Va.) — The Coast Guard commissioned North Carolina’s second fast response cutter (FRC), the Coast Guard cutter Nathan Bruckenthal, during a ceremony in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday.
FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment that allow their crews to more effectively conduct the Coast Guard’s statutory missions.
The cutter is named after Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, who was mortally wounded during Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his courageous actions, Bruckenthal was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
"I am truly honored to be the first commanding officer of this cutter," said Lt. Bryan Kilcoin, commanding officer of the new cutter. "The crew of the cutter Bruckenthal will emulate Nate's high standards and values he lived by. Semper paratus."
