Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal Commissioned
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned North Carolina’s second Fast Response Cutter, the Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal, during a ceremony in Alexandria, Va., today.
The 154-foot vessel was built by Bollinger Shipyards and is based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. It was delivered to the Coast Guard in Key West, Fla. earlier this year.
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 posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal after being mortally wounded during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bruckenthal was first Coast Guardsman killed in Iraq and the first to die in wartime since the Vietnam.