CGF 2009 Volume: 1 Issue: 1 (November)

Welcome to the inaugural—and collectible—issue of U.S. Coast Guard Forum magazine. The Coast Guard serves so many roles that are vital to national security as well as safety and security in our everyday lives. They do so with a relatively small number of people and, in my opinion, a very modest budget. When really looking at what they do with what they have, some may question how they do so much with so little.

The answer is people. Throughout the pages of U.S. Coast Guard Forum we intend to highlight how the Coasties pull it off every day. Of course it takes equipment, tools, technologies and systems of various shapes and sizes, but it is the men and women of the Guard that maximize those tools to deliver the capabilities and results that are demanded of them.

Admiral Thad Allen has been a driving force behind the modernization of the Guard in a number of ways. His interview highlights many of the initiatives that are guiding that modernization. And the work is not done yet. What is remarkable is the fact that this modernization is taking place while the Guard continues to play its part in national security around the globe, standing side-by-side with the other uniformed services, securing our maritime borders and ports, interdicting drug traffic, enforcing immigration regulations, ensuring maritime safety, and coming to the aid of those in need—on sea and land.

For KMI Media Group, this represents our ninth title and the third launched in the past 2 1/2 years. Our growth is spurred by the successful foundation laid by our other magazines and our unwavering support of the military and the industry that serves it. And our growth will continue as we expect to launch a 10th title in early 2010.

We have an exciting editorial calendar for 2010 that will serve the interests of the Guard and those that support it from Congress to industry and the other services. We will focus on the important technologies, programs and people of the Guard and the contributions they make on a daily basis to us collectively as a nation and to us individually for our safety and well-being in times of crisis.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments that can help U.S. Coast Guard Forum fulfill its role.

Mark Fitzgerald, Editor U.S. Coast Guard Forum This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it