Page 5 - Bravo Zulu - 2017 2nd QT F-17 Newsletter

Crew member, Ensign Kyle VanDillen
Photos: Roger Bazeley USCGAUX FSO-PA F17, BA-NAVEX

VanDillion is currently serving as a deck watch officer aboard the Stratton. While
at the U.S. C. G. Academy located in New London, Connecticut, he sailed aboard
the historic training tall ship the Eagle, built at Bremen, Germany in the 1930s.

When asked how he viewed his future career with the U.S. Coast Guard he replied
that he was very excited about his current mission and duties, and would see how
well his career advanced over next few years of service.

He expressed an interest in urban and transportation planning as a career if not
currently serving with the Coast Guard or after he completes his service. His
family is very important to him and supportive of his career choice with the Coast
Guard, and now resides in Baltimore, Maryland after his father retired from the Air
Force and took a position as a Traffic Engineer with the City of Baltimore. His
mother is a Public High School teacher and his sister is a junior in college.

The new U.S.C.G.C. Stratton, a Legend Class National Security Cutter of 418”
LOA is the third commissioned NS cutter with unique long range multi-mission
capabilities. The ship’s seal bears the motto, “We Can’t Afford Not To.” The
ship’s aft flight deck can handle on board two helicopters of the Dalphine and
Jayhawk types for air search and rescue operations.

U.S.C.G.C. Stratton, was named in honor of Captain Dorothy C. Stratton, USCGR
who was born in Brookfield, Missouri March 24, 1899 and passed away September
2006 at the age of 107 after an amazing diverse career that included the USCG.