San Diego-based security team receives prestigious award

SAN DIEGO - Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego was presented the Coast Guard's prestigious Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award during an official military ceremony presided over by the commanding officer of the Deployable Operations Group, Capt. Eugene Gray, Aug. 1.

Coast Guard units receive this award for achieving an outstanding performance rating during an extremely detailed and rigorous week-long inspection.

"I am very honored and privileged to be associated with the outstanding group of professionals stationed here at MSST San Diego. The Kimball Award is a testament to their proficiency, dedication, and effort. I could not be more proud of the phenomenal job that each individual does on a daily basis to protect our nation’s borders and citizens.",” said Cmdr. Eric Cooper, commanding officer of MSST San Diego.

The inspection covers numerous categories including; the condition of response boats and equipment, rescue and survival systems, crew knowledge of standard operating procedures and parameters, training program and readiness, and practical drills and exercises. MSST San Diego personnel received perfect scores in both drills and training program and exceptionally high scores in all remaining categories.

The award's namesake, Sumner I. Kimball, was appointed by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 to the post of General Superintendent of the U.S. Life-Saving Service which would later comprise a key component of the modern day Coast Guard. Kimball's lofty standards laid a solid foundation and significantly contributed to the modern day Coast Guard's reputation as life saving responders.

While the Coast Guard maintains a high readiness posture, only 10 percent of shore-based boat force units are awarded the Kimball Award each year.

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