The Biden administration plans to deliver a historic Coast Guard cutter that helped save thousands in Indonesia on 9/11, The Post has learned – advocates for the victims say the move is “outrageous” and outrageous .
When hundreds of thousands of people needed to be evacuated from Lower Manhattan on September 11, the US Coast Guard cutter Adak was ready in New York Harbor, which would become the largest maritime rescue in world history.
But just before the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the US government is in talks to sell the ship to a foreign government – rather than donating it to a non-profit organization that wants to turn it into a museum and 9/11 memorial .
“You are not just insulting New Yorkers and those who were directly affected by the terrorist attacks, you are disrespecting the United States,” said John Feel of the Feelgood Foundation, which advocates for 9/11 survivors.
“Shame on them, shame on them for being so embarrassing and show a lack of humanity and a lack of empathy.”
The USCGC Adak Historical Society has been petitioning the Coast Guard since last January to disband it when it disintegrates later this year, so that they can turn it into a museum, memorial and education center for underprivileged youth, called Tampa Will be thrown into the bay. Florida. They pledged to cover any and all costs associated with returning it to the US and are even willing to buy the cutter through the General Services Administration.
James Judge said, “This cutter does not need to go to Indonesia, there are other 110 foot cutters that can go to Indonesia.” Founder of historical society And a former Coast Guard that spent 13 months aboard the cutter while it was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“I also think it’s worth mentioning that the Coast Guard is considering giving it to Indonesia, the fact that Indonesia is plagued by radical Islam There is a history of human rights abuses And they are notoriously known World’s second largest marine environmental pollution. The Coast Guard has been accused of preserving the marine environment. “
Earlier this year, USCG told the Historical Society that they plan to sell the cutter to another country under the Foreign Assistance Act, and on April 2, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency formally announced USCG’s plan to sell it in Indonesia Notified by
“They are going with the FAA because this is the path of least resistance … It’s very convenient for them. The bottom line is, it’s about money and convenience,” the judge said.
“We tried to eliminate every obstacle for the military, in fact the boat would have to be demolished for the army and Coast Guard to sell in Indonesia, there would be a cost involved. If we get it, they cannot even take it away. ”
The judge said the historical society worked with the Coast Guard and the House Subcommittee on Maritime Transport to draft legislation that would allow the USCG to pay the group, but time is running out. When Congress was informed of the proposed sale to Indonesia, a 30-day watch began before the ship was formally introduced to the country, which is now only eleven days away.
If the White House, State Department, or members of Congress do not stop the sale, the “symbol of American strength and perseverance” will be lost from a foreign country forever.
“Coast Guard Cutter Adak is a historic ship and deserves to come home … Many people think the Coast Guard is like a Bay Watch, they just save people but they have a very important mission … more There is a very rich history, ”the judge said. .
“I don’t think there is a better cutter that can display that history than a cutter adak.”
group Has started a Change.org petition, Which has more than 3,000 signatures, asks President Biden to save the ship, but when asked about the proposed sale, the White House adjourned the State Department, which made no comment.
The Coast Guard did not respond to criticism about the sale and said the decision was in the interest of national security.
A Coast Guard spokesman said in a written statement, “The upcoming relocation is the culmination of the one-year planning process, and is scheduled to take place after the cutter’s decommissioning in June 2021.”
“The Coast Guard worked closely with state departments, the Department of Defense, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, using procedures established by the Navy’s International Program Office to prepare for the relocation of the Coast Guard. ADAK and AQUIDNECK to the Government of Indonesia.
“This process directly supports international allies and allies to achieve US national security interests. Preparations for inspection and relocation began in February 2021, working closely with the Indonesian Navy. ”
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