[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14883]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE U.S. COAST GUARD AIR STATION IN TRAVERSE CITY, MI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 18, 2006

  Mr. CAMP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
members of the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City, MI, whose 
heroic efforts on the night of July 8, 2006, saved the lives of two 
young men adrift on Lake Michigan.
  When the boys did not return home after a nighttime swim, the Air 
Station dispatched Coast Guard Helicopter 6551 to aid in the search 
mission. Six hours after the boys' disappearance, the crew of 6551--
Lieutenant Joe Klatt, Lieutenant Gabe Somma, Aviation Electronic 
Technician Third Class Bobby Teal, and Chief Aviation Survival 
Technician Kurt Revels--spotted them clinging to a raft near the 
Mackinac Bridge on the last leg of their assigned search area. With 
limited fuel, the crew of 6551 commenced a daring rescue. Lieutenant 
Klatt flew the helicopter into a stable position; Petty Officer Teal 
used the rescue hoist to lower Chief Revels into the rough night 
waters; Chief Revels loaded the young men into the rescue basket; Petty 
Officer Teal hoisted them into the safety of the helicopter; and 
Lieutenant Somma navigated the craft to Pellston Airport, where 
emergency services successfully treated the boys for hypothermia.
  On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District, I applaud the 
Traverse City Coast Guard Air Station for its tireless efforts to 
protect the lives and ensure the safety of every person under their 
watch. The heroism of the crew of Helicopter 6551 illustrates why this 
Coast Guard Air Station is the only unit to have received the 
prestigious Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Standardization 
Excellence Award for 3 consecutive years.

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