Rick Bolton:  

Life I have 25 years in the Coast Guard now. I live in Torrance CA. I am the Leading Chief at Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles. I joined the Coast Guard right out of High school. I was sent to a 95 foot patrol boat out of Rockaway N.Y. named Cape Horn. I was there for 1 year and I received training to become a Machinery Technician. Upon graduation of my training, I was stationed at the small boat station in Ilwaco Washington for four years as a boat crewman/mechanic. Riding on those boats in 30+ foot surf is an experience that will always stay with me. Believe it or not I sometimes miss it. In 1988 I looked into Coast Guard aviation. Or rather, a good friend at the time, Rob Marshall talked me into it. I have never regretted my decision. I enjoy the flying. I am an HH65 Flight Mechanic. For everyone not in the Coast Guard it means I'm part of the aircrew and I also work on the aircraft when it's not flying. I was stationed in North Bend Oregon after completion of Aviation Electrician school located in Elizabeth City NC. In 1992 I was assigned orders to Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles. I was there during the Northridge earthquake. In 1996 I transferred back to CGAS North Bend for a second tour. Also in 1996 I was part of the team that represented the U.S. in the World Helicopter Championships. The Contest was held in Salem Oregon. This was the first and only time the Coast Guard competed. The best part of the entire contest was meeting the woman who would become my wife. In 2000 I was transferred from North Bend to Mobile AL. to a unit called Polar Operations Division. The unit was...Expand for more