Senate OKs Allen for Coast Guard job
The U.S. Senate Wednesday confirmed Vice Adm. Thad Allen to be the next commandant of the Coast Guard. Allen will take over from Adm. Thomas H. Collins.
Allen received high praise for coordinating the response of the federal government to Hurricane Katrina after the Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to quickly evacuate displaced persons and provide relief supplies.
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.
The Coast Guard is the primary agency responsible for ensuring vessel and port security.
