Veteran Spotlight: Coast Guard Capt. Thurman 'Tom' Maine

MASHPEE, Mass. — If I were to describe the best attributes of this week's veteran, they would be an infectious personality, role model, leader, wonderful family man and a person that leads by example in the very best way. 

 

The aforementioned, are the primary reasons why Thurman "Tom" Maine enjoyed a successful and distinguished military career in the Coast Guard from 1983 to 2014. 

 

Born in North Stonington, Conn., Maine entered the Coast Guard at the age of 21 and was sent to boot camp in Cape May, N.J. His first assignment was at Coast Guard Station in Provincetown, R.I. From 1994 to 1997, he was a helicopter pilot for Coast Guard Air Station at Otis Air National Guard Base and was elevated to operations officer, chief pilot at the base from 2004 to 2007. 

 

During his 31-year career, Maine flew some of the Coast Guard's most elite helicopters; the Sikorsky H-3 (the Coast Guard's last amphibious aircraft), the Sikorsky H-60 (the most widely flown military helicopter in the world) and the H-65 (a smaller, faster helicopter that deploys on ships).

 

Maine continued to rapidly climb the ranks and in 2009 was promoted as the Coast Guard's liason to the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, a position he held until 2011. Following that assignment, he was promoted to captain and rose to be the commanding officer at the Coast Guard's prestigious Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala. 

 

During his tenure as commanding officer, he suffered a devastating blow when four Guardsman were killed during a night training exercise. He conveyed that his greatest achievement in his entire military career, was the leadership he provided

to his 600-member unit and the families of the fallen Guardsmen, by always being accessible, communicating constantly and holding vitally important family nights.

 

He said this tragedy, "gave him the ultimate opportunity to live out his faith." He also lobbied intensely for the student pilot who was killed to be awarded his designation posthumously, which he did.

 

Maine's storied flying career included planning and taking part in rescues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, flying in the middle of Hurricane Andrew, coordinating three different drug patrols in the Bahamas (where millions of dollars in cocaine and heroin were seized) and assisting the Secret Service in helicopter security for Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton when they visited Kennebunkport and Martha's Vineyard for vacations. 

 

Maine cited the chief petty officers as having the greatest impact on his career. In describing his experience in the Coast Guard he said, "the beautiful thing is that you're always doing the job it trains you to do." 

 

Maine is currently the director of spiritual development at Cape Cod Church in East Falmouth. He and his wife, Annette, have two daughters and two grandchildren. 

 

Capt. Thurman "Tom" Maine, thank you for your service to our great country.