Allen promoted to top Coast Guard position

Allen promoted to top Coast Guard position    President Bush has rewarded Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen for his work in coordinating the federal response to Hurricane Katrina by nominating him to be commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
   The Coast Guard was generally recognized as one of the few agencies that performed well in rescue and relief missions after Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama late last summer, and Allen was brought in to take over management of relief operations after the Federal Emergency Management Agency was unable to effectively bring resources to bear in the region.
   If confirmed by the Senate, Allen would replace Adm. Thomas H. Collins, whose four-year tour as commandant expires soon.
   Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee praised Allen’s selection to lead the sea service.
   Allen serves as chief of staff for the Coast Guard. He previously was commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Fifth District, and the U.S. Maritime Defense Zone, Atlantic Fleet. He also he led the Atlantic forces in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.