Ancient Albatross Award 

Aviation Maintenance Technician Senior Chief Peter G. MacDougall

Aviation Maintenance Technician Senior Chief Peter G. MacDougall entered active duty service in September 1974. Upon completing basic training at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., he reported to USCG Aircraft Repair & Supply Center in Elizabeth City N.C. for “A” School. After graduation from Aviation Machinist Mate (AD) “A” school in May 1975, ANAD MacDougall reported to CG Air Station Kodiak, AK. Under the Command of former Ancient Albatross (#11) Captain Ed Nelson Jr., AD3 MacDougall earned his aircrew wings in December 1975 as a Flight Mechanic on the Sikorsky HH-3F “Pelican” helicopters.

MacDougall transferred to CG Air Station Cape Cod in January 1976, where he advanced to AD2 in August of 1977 and continued to fly search and rescue missions as an H-3 Flight Mechanic. Tragedy struck Air Station Cape Cod when the HH-3F “1432” went down while conducting a medevac rescue hundreds of miles offshore of Cape Cod. Lost were dear friend and mentor Lcdr. Jim Stiles, Canadian Forces exchange pilot Captain Rick Burge, Avionicsman and duty-crew brother AT2 Brad Tait, and Corpsman HS2 Bruce Kahler. Flight Mechanic and friend AD3 Mark Torr, was the lone survivor. After the loss of his friends in the crash, and after losing two out of two engines during his last H-3 flight, AD2 MacDougall took a hint and took a break from flying and transferred to the USCG Reserves in 1979.

Joining the Coast Guard Reserve after his release from active service, MacDougall became a Machinery Technician (MK) at CG Station Gloucester MA., where he earned qualifications as Engineer on the 41’ Utility Boat (UTB) and the 44’ Motor Life Boat. After returning to Alaska in April 1984, he worked as an civilian Airframe & Powerplant mechanic on a variety of float planes and helicopters and served in the CG Reserves as a 41’ UTB Engineer at CG Station Juneau.

Completing 10 years in the reserves, MK1 MacDougall returned to aviation and active duty service in October 1989. Aptly starting over at Air Station Kodiak AK, (commanded by current Ptero Prez Capt. Mont Smith) AD3 MacDougall re-qualified in his beloved H-3s in short order, and advanced to AD2 in 1990. Transferring to Air Station Cape Cod in 1993, he transitioned to the Sikorsky HH-60Js. During this tour at Air Station Cape Cod, he began his long time association with the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program, which has provided Coast Guard men and women with much needed assistance in their abilities to cope with the aftermath of traumatic events. After advancement to AD1 in 1996, orders followed for transfer to Air Station Sitka Alaska in 1997 where he continued to fly search and rescue missions and to train future generations of CG aircrews.

Aviation Maintenance Technician Chief (AMTC) MacDougall transferred to Air Station Astoria Oregon in 2001, where he was the H-60 Shop Chief, Quality Assurance Chief, and interim Group Astoria Command Chief. From 2004 to 2008, AMTC MacDougall served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer at Air Station Washington D.C., the “Commandant’s Air Station”. AMTC MacDougall was advanced to Senior Chief by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Thad Allen, and “pinned on” by the outgoing Ancient Albatross, RADM Dave Kunkel, and the 21st Ancient Albatross, VADM Vivian Crea, in a ceremony at Air Station Elizabeth City NC on 26 June 2008. Senior Chief MacDougall is currently assigned to the Coast Guard Academy in New London CT, where he is a the Golf Company Senior Chief and Advisor to the CG Academy Aviation Club, mentoring young men and women as they train to become the next generation of Coast Guard Officers.

On May 13th 2006 in a ceremony at Air Station Sitka, AK, AMTC MacDougall became the Eight Enlisted Ancient Albatross of the US Coast Guard. AMTCS MacDougall has held the “Ancient” title the longest period of time amongst the current group of “Ancients”.

Senior Chief MacDougall’s personal awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and Coast Guard Achievement Medal with operational distinguishing devices and gold stars, and the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation with three stars. Other career awards include three Lt. Robert A. Perchard Memorial Trophy Awards for outstanding aircrews, and numerous Sikorsky “Winged S” Search and Rescue Lifesaving awards.

Senior Chief MacDougall, a native of Westford Massachusetts, has been married to the former Christina Parker, also of Westford MA for 30 years. Christina is a substitute school teacher in Groton CT, daughter Jenny (26) is a student at the University of Alaska, Juneau, AK and sons Ian (23) and Ross (21) are students at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, AK. Off duty interests, besides his family, include the CG Aviation Association (aka “The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyls”) sailing, music (percussion), photography, skiing, and ALL things aviation!