Lt. Paul Johansen stands in front of a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter in Alaska.

Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty: Lt. Paul Johansen

It’s a story that sounds as if it were pulled right from the movies. High winds, rough seas, a rescue helicopter low on fuel and a crew determined to save a life. But the danger was real for the Kodiak, Alaska-based Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew on a mission to save the life of a cargo vessel crewman.


The Master's Medal awarded to Lt. Cmdr. Vincent Jansen, Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Oct. 23, 2013, for actions performed Sept. 20, 2012, to save four men from the life raft of the fishing vessel Moonlight Maid in the Gulf of Alaska.

Kodiak-based Coast Guard pilot recognized on 2 continents for exceptional airmanship

What does it take to be an exceptional helicopter pilot? According to the Order of the Daedalians exceptional airmanship, leadership, risk management and situational awareness are key characteristics. The four fishermen from the Moonlight Maid, rescued by a Coast Guard […]