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Coast Guard’s Enlisted Ancient Albatross Comes in for Final Landing

The Coast Guard’s “ancient albatross” descended from his last flight on Thursday.

Master Chief Petty Officer Kit Harris, rating force master chief of the aviation maintenance technician rating, landed in an HC-130 Hercules airplane at Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.

Harris went on his final flight as the Coast Guard’s enlisted ancient albatross, a title bestowed upon the active-duty Coast Guard member with the earliest graduation date from an aviation technical school.

Harris assumed the title July 14, 2017, at Air Station Savannah, Georgia. The Enlisted Ancient Albatross Award was established in 1988, and Harris was the 11th to hold the title.

kit harris
US Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Dickinson

He has served in the Coast Guard for more than 31 years, and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Becker College in 2006.

Harris assumed the duties as the Aviation Maintenance Technician Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC) June 1, 2015. As the AMT RFMC, AMTCM Harris is the senior Subject Matter Expert in the AMT rating and serves as advocate and advisor for all matters that could impact the health and professional development of the rating. Furthermore, AMTCM Harris works across multiple directorates to address issues impacting workforce readiness, training, staffing or career development and form strategies that match the needs of the service with the needs and capabilities of the workforce. He is responsible for establishing rating specific advancement requirements, including enlisted training and performance qualifications, and for reviewing change in rating and lateral entry requests. AMTCM Harris maintains communication with the rating through various methods, including periodic field visits, force notes and direct contact with individual members.

Prior to this assignment Harris served as the unit Command Master Chief at Aviation Training Center in Mobile. Other assignments include tours as the Leading Chief for the C-144 Prime Unit at ATC Mobile, AL; A & C School Chief at the Aviation Technical Training Center, Elizabeth City, N.C. He served as aircrew and Shop Chief at the C-130J Aircraft Project Office, Elizabeth City, N.C.; and completed tours as a C-130H Flight Engineer at CGAS Clearwater, Fla.; CGAS Sacramento, Calif.; and as a Drop Master at CGAS Borinquen, PR. Prior to his graduation from AE A School in 1989 he served as a non-rate at USCG Base St Louis.

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Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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