LCDR Zachary D. Fuentes USCG

LCDR Zachary D. Fuentes, United States Coast Guard (Retired), joined the Coast Guard in 2000 and retired in 2020. He received his commission as a military officer and a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research and Computer Analysis from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

After selection to flight school, he completed Naval Flight Training at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. As an MH65 helicopter pilot, he flew demanding search-and-rescue, law enforcement, and shipboard missions, including responding to the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and deploying to Alaska in support of Arctic operations. In addition to flying duties, he served as the Assistant Comptroller and as the Officer-In-Charge of Coast Guard Aviation Detachment Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which supported operations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

After selection to the Coast Guard's aviation special missions program, he was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida as a member of the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), where he forward deployed armed helicopters to high-threat drug trafficking and high-risk security areas in support of Homeland Security missions. As an aviation special missions instructor pilot and flight examiner, he trained new pilots and aircrew to provide the Coast Guard?€™s single source of forward deployed armed aircrews and helicopters.

LCDR Fuentes' awards include the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal for extraordinary meritorious service to the government of the United States, the Legion of Merit for outstanding meritorious service, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals (with the operational distinguishing device), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (with the operational distinguishing device), six Special Operations Service Ribbons, the Presidential Service Badge, and the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security Service Badge.