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Grumman, comparing costs, workloads and everything else so we can get the best deal for the government.

Papp’s rosy view isn’t shared by everyone. A recent

Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation hearing, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), con- ducted to examine the status of the Coast Guard’s major acquisition programs was not nearly as complimentary.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Coast Guard’s management of its acquisition portfolio continues to be less than stellar.

LoBiondo pointed to the National Security Cutters as a prime example. He said, “Both vessels represent tremendous improvements over the 45 year old vessels they are replacing.

However, the program is currently two years behind schedule and 38 percent over the revised 2007 budget. In addition, both vessels will require substantial retrofits to meet expect- ed service lives.”

LoBiondo also conceded, “The Coast Guard has made great strides to turn the program around in recent years and I commend them for that. But now it is time to deliver results for the taxpayer and for the men and women of the Coast Guard who desperately need these assets to successfully conduct their missions.”

THE ARCTIC:

NEW COMMANDANT, NEW OUTLOOK

Probably nothing has been more painful than watching the

Coast Guard struggle without the resources to ramp up its ice- breaker fleet. That situation might be about to change; for reasons you might expect and couple you might not. First, the

President’s budget this year brings back money into the Coast

Guard’s budget that was transferred seven years ago to the

National Science Foundation. That will enable Papp to keep one heavy breaker in service, as well as the HEALY, which is a medium breaker. Papp continues, “I have to decommission one of the breakers. We’ll decommission POLAR SEA and take those repair moneys and invest those in POLAR STAR.

Ten more years out of POLAR STAR gives us time to work on an overall solution.” Papp also sheds light on emerging

ADM ROBERT PAPP