WASHINGTON — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today commended Admiral Thad Allen on his exemplary career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Admiral Allen officially retired from the Coast Guard today; he will continue his duties as the National Incident Commander of the BP oil spill.
“I commend Admiral Allen for nearly 40 years of dedicated military service in the Coast Guard,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Throughout his career, our nation has turned to Thad Allen for leadership at times of great crisis, and this is one of those times. Thad Allen has provided excellent leadership as the national commander of our massive response to the largest environmental disaster in our nation’s history, and he will continue to leverage his decades of experience in civilian duty as the National Incident Commander for this spill.”
Admiral Robert Papp was sworn in as Coast Guard Commandant on May 24, when Admiral Allen transitioned out of the Coast Guard’s top post as previously planned to serve solely as National Incident Commander.
For information about the response effort, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
