A 2005 Colton-Pierrepont Central graduate has been promoted in the Coast Guard, stationed in Alaska for performing duties above and beyond.

The Coast Guard meritoriously advanced a boatswains mate during a ceremony at Coast Guard Station Ketchikan recently.

Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell, Jr., the 17th Coast Guard District commander, meritoriously advanced Petty Officer 2nd Class Alta Jones, a boatswain’s mate at Station Ketchikan, to Petty Officer 1st Class in recognition of her outstanding contributions and accomplishments both on and off-duty.

Jones was recognized for exceptional proficiency while conducting Coast Guard operations and responding to a 250-ton vessel dragging an anchor. After arriving on scene and overcoming 115-mph winds, she was able to safely maneuver the much larger vessel into an area of safety, ultimately preventing a major pollution incident and saving the two lives aboard.

Additionally, Jones was recognized for performing duties well beyond her normal paygrade and filling critical leadership vacancies at Station Ketchikan. Jones’ efforts resulted in the qualification of 10 communication watch standers, 12 boat crewmembers, six engineers and three coxswains, subsequently enabling Station Ketchikan to meet all operational readiness requirements.

She also served as a Critical Incident Stress Management member and spearheaded an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training program after identifying a lack of Coast Guard EMTs in the region.

More information can be found at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/2ae2a3c