Public Domain Picture: Brad Long

Brad A. Long (right- Naval gunfire support during Operation Desert Storm). Brad A. Long retired after 21 years in U.S. Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) in September of 2006. He had been assigned to 10 warships and stationed in many places including California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, and Virginia. . Throughout these tours, he did six deployments, two of which were combat deployments; another deployment took him into the Black Sea where Soviet and KGB ships rammed his ship (USS CARON DD-970) in a dispute over “International Waters.” Master Chief Long’s jobs and positions ranged from Gun Mount Captain, Search and Rescue, Flight Deck Safety Officer, Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer, a Navy Recruiter, Officer –in-Charge of Harbor Security, Force Protection and Anti-Terrorism, Officer-in-Charge of Navy Flotilla for Hurricane Ivan, and Transportation Czar for Hurricane Katrina. . . One of his highlights in his career was assisting with the sinking of the aircraft carrier, EX-USS ORISKANY, off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. (Right). . Brad’s second career started in October 2006, at Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge as a Facility Operations Specialist for construction. Brad’s position had him assisting in the construction of facilities in lower Alabama and Mississippi after a series of hurricanes devastated the Gulf Coast. In October 2008, Brad was accepted his current position as a Regional Facility Manager Coordinator for the Southeast Region. He moved to Daphne’s Ecological Service Office. In his this position, Brad travels to different National Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries to conduct Comprehensive Condition Assessments. To date, he has visited 47 National Wildlife Refuges and four Fish Hatcheries. Also, Brad completed the prestigious Stepping Up to Leadership curriculum. While attending SUTL, he had the unique opportunity and privilege to be at the Senate for Dan Ashe’s confirmation hearing. The highlight of Brad’s second career is the opportunity to meet and work with outstanding personnel throughout the region.

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Brad, Long, Veterans

April 12, 2014