For several years cadets have represented the Coast Guard by participating in homeland security related research projects at national labs throughout the country. These competitive programs give cadets invaluable hands-on experience with cutting edge technology and world class facilities. Those accepted spend five weeks at one of the national laboratories during the summer before their first class year. Cadets in these programs work closely with lab researchers and attend briefings and tours on DHS and DOD funded research. Many continue their research when they return to the Academy. These internships are not only of great value for educational purposes, they also expose cadets to unique leadership and learning situations with agencies beyond the Coast Guard. Each of the programs discussed below is completed funded by outside agencies, making them an incredible opportunity for the CGA.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories:
We sent four cadets this year under the lab’s Military Academy Research Associates (MARA) program. Over the past three years LLNL has hosted 11 cadets and two faculty members. This year Cadet Cristina Nelson, a Marine Science major, worked with researchers to mutate yersinia pestis, the bacteria which causes bubonic plague, to determine how it becomes resistant to antibiotics. Cadets Dana Tomc and Gwen English, Operations Research majors, worked on a machine-learning and co-reference resolution so a computer analyzing an article can recognize, for example, that “George W. Bush” and “The President” are the same person. Cadet Zach Wolf, a Civil Engineering major, worked with researchers on the Homeland Operations Planning System (HOPS), a web-accessible system that provides risk management information and tools for critical infrastructure that may be affected by deliberate attack or natural disaster.

This was also the first year DHS S&T has supported CGA interns by providing travel funding for all 4 LLNL interns. We are extremely grateful for DHS’ efforts to ensure this worthwhile program continues.

Sandia National Laboratories:
We sent three cadets and two faculty members this year under the lab’s CMC Visiting Scholar program. Over the past three years SNL has hosted 9 cadets and two faculty members. This year Cadets Eric Turner, Zack Hennighausen, and Ryan Mowbray developed a Maritime Passive Acoustic Detection Buoy to aid in the counter-narcotics mission.  The buoys are designed to detect Go-Fast vessels and notify CG command centers to deploy CG assets. Two of the cadets plan to continue their research when they return to CGA. LT Scott Ostrowski is working with the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) and developing an operations research model to predict cargo container movements through large ports such as LA/Long Beach. LCDR Michael Plumley worked with the Fire Science and Technology Department to develop a test plan for the joint USCG/DOE study on LNG carrier insulation decomposition. He subsequently briefed personnel at CG Headquarters and the CG Research and Development Center on the test plan as well as other Sandia lab capabilities.

Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Internship
This was the first year DHS S&T hosted CGA cadets. It was developed in large part with the help of Bob Danahy (class of 1980). The program is already a huge success, with very positive feedback from the cadets and DHS S&T staff. Cadets Olson, Deitel, and Fogarty participated in numerous DHS S&T functions,  including stakeholders conferences in Sweden and Canada, the new DHS 101 course, and tours of DC area government facilities including the White House. Cadets Olson and Deitel already plan to build on their DHS S&T  internship work this year for their Advanced Research Projects course.

USCG Aircraft Repair & Supply Center:
For four years CGA Mechanical Engineering cadets have spent five weeks during their final summer working side by side with researchers at the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center (ARSC) in Elizabeth City, NC. Of the eleven cadets hosted by ARSC during the last four years six have already been assigned to flight school and four plan to apply for their next assignment. After returning from the program one intern reported “My experience at ARSC has deepened my knowledge and understanding of CG Aviation and has thus changed my career pursuits to include Aviation Engineering”. This year Cadet Crissy Chantarasopak worked on a friction stir welding project and had an opportunity to tour Lockheed Martin’s Michoud Operations in New Orleans, LA. Cadet Ryan McCue designed a closed loop system for aircraft dehumidification and drafted a letter to the editor describing the project for Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Cadet Walter Fredenhagen worked on an aircraft structural health usage monitoring project and traveled to Huntsville, AL to the Army Aviation Missile Research & Development Center.

MIT Lincoln Labs:
This new internship, spearheaded by Joe Fischetti (class of '83), supported electrical engineering majors this summer at MIT’s Lincoln Labs in Massachusetts. Cadet Kevin Sorrell examined the CG's current Satellite Communications Systems and made recommendations on future upgrades.  Cadet Ian Williams worked on an early detection system for airborne or maritime threats intruding in restricted areas.