Nov. 28, 2003 – The U.S. Coast Guard recognized Chief Warrant Officer Electronics Alvin F. Dalmida Jr. among a team of Coast Guard personnel for exceptionally meritorious service from April 2000 to March 2003.
During this period, Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning (N/DGPS) Integrated Product team provided in-depth coordination with Allied Technology Group, Raytheon Technical Services Co., Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistic Command Atlantic, Maintenance Logistic Command Pacific, the Coast Guard Navigation Center, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The team successfully coordinated the conversion of 15 Air Force Ground Wave Emergency Network sites to Coast Guard N/DGPS sites. These sites are now transmitting in the following locations: Spokane, Wash.; Polson, Mont.; Flagstaff, Ariz.; New Bern, N.C.; Hudson Falls, N.Y.; Macon, Ga.; Billings, Mont.; Acushnet, Mass.; Annapolis, Md.; Hawk Run, Pa.; Hagerstown, Md.; Pueblo, Colo.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and the construction of three new sites at Hartsville, Tenn., Myton, Utah, and Pine River, Minn. These 18 sites became operational across 15 different states throughout the nation.
The teamwork dynamics made it possible to conduct testing of equipment shelters at contractor facilities, the successful order and installation of all data circuits for network communications, and for conducting remote on-site Service Validation Operational Testing confirming the full operational status of all sites.
Lt. Jacob Ramos, Hardware Installation Manager for the Coast Guard's Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System said, "Throughout the learning process the team succeeded in developing the most accurate Statement of Work template that has emerged as the standard requirement for external contractors to follow during the conversion and new construction of future sites. When severe weather and unforeseen construction milestones caused continual changes to the schedule, team members made essential recommendations to minimize delays for all sites."
The team maintained flexibility, and exercised detailed coordination with all contractors, Local Exchange Carriers (LECS), and external Coast Guard commands facilitating the operational status of these 18 sites. The exemplary efforts of the N/DGPS team have significantly contributed to the Coast Guard's primary mission area of Navigation Safety for the public throughout the nation.
"This has been a busy four-year assignment with much traveling around the country. Dalmida said. "In addition to our main jobs, Ramos and I are board members of the Association of Naval Sea Officers and members of National Naval Officers Association. Both associations actively support the Sea Services in recruiting, retaining, and developing the careers of officers."
Dalmida is a 1981 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, and is currently assigned to the office of NDGPS Planning Management office at the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center, Alexandria, Va.
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