View source for Charley L. Diaz

'''Captain Charley L. Diaz''' (born in 1959 in Corpus Christi, TX) is a 30-year [[United States Coast Guard]] veteran who served on Active Duty from 1982 to 2012.  Diaz is best known for leading the crew of the [[USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)|USCGC ''Sherman'' (WHEC-720)]] in the seizure of the Panamanian freighter ''GATUN'' off the coast of Panama in March 2007, which netted nearly 20 tons of cocaine worth an estimated $600 million.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|last=Orr|first=Bob|title=Coast Guard Bust Nets 21 Tons of Cocaine|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2594833n|accessdate=10 November 2012|newspaper=CBS Evening News/AP|date=posted September 19, 2007, 4:55&nbsp;pm}}</ref> It was the largest maritime drug bust in US history.

On July 21, 2005, Diaz became the first American of Hispanic descent to command a [[High endurance cutter]] (the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest cutter class).<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|last=Thiesen|first=Dr. William H.|title=Hispanic-Americans & The U.S. Coast Guard|url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/Hispanic_Americans.asp|publisher=Coast Guard Historian's Office|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>  From 2008 until his retirement, Diaz was named one of the "Top Hispanics in the U.S. Military" by Hispanic Engineer & IT magazine.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite book|first=Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology Editorial Department|title=Top Hispanics in the U.S. military (p. 62)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_RoCjVaYrlwC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=Hispanic+Engineer+%26+Information+Technology+magazine,+top+Hispanics+in+the+U.S.+military&source=bl&ots=h8IgmfMWOE&sig=eXE9e3UIKAP_0u1ao2At75aDCZI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=cjiYUI3UC4Xf0QGyk4CgBg&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Hispanic%20Engineer%20&f=false|publisher=Career Communications Group|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>   He officially retired from the U.S. Coast Guard on June 30, 2012.  Diaz is an independent Homeland Security consultant in the greater Washington, D.C. area and President of Diaz and Associates, Maritime Consultants (a Maryland company).

==Background and education==
Diaz was born in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]], and is a 1978 graduate of Mary Carroll High School. Diaz is the son of Dr. Tony C. Diaz, Ed.D. and Mrs. Maria Albeza (Barrera) Diaz. His father is a retired U.S. Navy Chief, a Vietnam War veteran, and an elected School Board Member of the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD). Well established in the Corpus Christi area since the early 1900s, the Diaz family has been educating the children of South Texas for the past 50 years. In 1982, Diaz graduated from the [[United States Coast Guard Academy]] in New London, Connecticut, where he was captain of the cadet drill team. He holds a Master's degree in Public Administration (with honors) from Harvard University's [[Kennedy School of Government]] and a diploma (with distinction) from the U.S. [[Naval War College]].  He also completed the DHS “Executive Leaders Program” in 2012 at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), [[Naval Postgraduate School]] in Monterey, California.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|last=Issvoran|first=Heather|title=DHS Executive Leaders Program (NCIS video announcing the graduates)|url=http://www.chds.us/?special/info&pgm=Exec|publisher=CHDS, Naval Postgraduate School|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>   Diaz was a visiting scholar at the [[Brookings Institution]] in Washington, D.C. from 2004 to 2005.  He is a life member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] in New York City <ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|first=Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)|title=CFR Membership Roster as of 02 Nov 2012|url=http://www.cfr.org/about/membership/roster.html?letter=D|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref> and also a life member of the [[Association of Naval Services Officers]] (ANSO), a national Hispanic affinity group.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=RADM Will|title=ANSO home page|url=http://www.ansomil.org/|publisher=Association of Naval Service Officers|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>

==Largest maritime drug bust in U.S. history==
[[File:MV Gatun Cocaine seizure by USCG.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The M/V Gatun seizure]]
On March 18, 2007, Diaz led the crew of the USCGC ''Sherman'' in the seizure of the motor vessel ''GATUN'' with 765 bales of cocaine (nearly 20 tons) worth an estimated $600 million; it remains the largest maritime drug bust in U.S. history.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|last=Cook|first=Theresa|title=U.S. Coast Guard Makes Biggest Cocaine Bust in U.S. History|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2970799&page=1|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=ABCNews|date=March 21, 2007}}</ref><ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|title=YouTube: Largest Maritime Drug Seizure in World History - posted Mar 21, 2007|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuGBSARNYtc|publisher=USCGImagery|accessdate=6 November 2012}}</ref> SHERMAN was working for the [[Joint Interagency Task Force South]] at the time. Operating on a tip from the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) and the working closely with Panamanian officials, the takedown occurred just west of the Panama Canal entrance.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|first=USCG Public Affairs|title=Coast Guard Makes Record Maritime Cocaine Seizure - Press Briefing with DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and ADM Thad Allen|url=http://www.uscg.mil/top/downloads/video.asp|accessdate=5 November 2012|newspaper=Official USCG website|date=March 21, 2007}}</ref> The cocaine was hidden in two shipping containers.  The drugs were later offloaded in Alameda, California where they were transferred to the DEA and transported via two Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft to Florida for destruction.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|first=CGImagery|title=YouTube: What does 40,000 pounds of cocaine look like?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXmASAPyT-E|publisher=CGImagery uploaded April 27, 2007|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|first=Chronicle Staff Report|title=20-ton cocaine bust biggest in Coast Guard's history|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/20-ton-cocaine-bust-biggest-in-Coast-Guard-s-2600293.php|accessdate=5 November 2012|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=April 23, 2007}}</ref> This celebrated drug seizure made headlines around the world.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|last=Tanner|first=Adam|title=U.S. unloads record bust of 20 tons of cocaine|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/04/23/uk-drugs-coastguard-idUKN2328762320070423?pageNumber=1|accessdate=5 November 2012|newspaper=Reuters|date=Apr 23, 2007 <!-- 8:05&nbsp;pm BST --> }}</ref>

==Operational assignments==
Diaz is a career cutterman, having served 12 years of sea duty on six Coast Guard cutters, commanding four of them. His afloat assignments include: 
*Deck Watch Officer on the 210-foot [[USCGC Active (WMEC-618)|USCGC ''Active'' (WMEC-618)]] in New Castle, New Hampshire, 1982–1984; 
*Commanding Officer of the 82-foot Patrol Boat USCGC ''Point Monroe'' (WPB-82353) in Freeport, Texas, 1984–1986; 
*Commanding Officer of the Surface Effect Ship USCGC ''Petrel'' (WSES-4) in Key West, Florida, 1990–1992; 
*Executive Officer of the 270-foot [[USCGC Spencer (WMEC-905)|USCGC ''Spencer'' (WMEC-905)]] in Boston, Massachusetts, 1997–1999; 
*Commanding Officer of the 270-foot [[USCGC Bear (WMEC-901)|USCGC ''Bear'' (WMEC-901)]] in Portsmouth, Virginia, 2002–2004;<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Shane|title=The Forgotten War|url=http://www.govexec.com/magazine/2003/05/the-forgotten-war/14087/|accessdate=5 November 2012|newspaper=Government Executive Magazine|date=May 1, 2003}}</ref>  and 
*Commanding Officer of the 378-foot [[USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)|USCGC ''Sherman'' (WHEC-720)]] in Alameda, California, 2005–2007.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|first=Cutters on Patrol series|title=Cutters on Patrol - Cutter Sherman c2007|url=http://www.coastguardchannel.com/24_7_vid/Cutters_CGCSherman.php|publisher=Tam Communications|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|first=U.S. Coast Guard|title=The Unique Role of the U.S. Coast Guard - Cutter Sherman to Return Home After Deployment to Southeast Asia|url=http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/coast-guard-mission-values.html|accessdate=5 November 2012|newspaper=Military.com|date=September 20, 2006}}</ref>

==Senior staff assignments==
Diaz was the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Chief of Staff in Alameda, California from 2009 to 2012 where he served three Area Commanders: VADM [[David Pekoske]], VADM [[Jody Breckenridge]], and VADM [[Manson K. Brown]].  From March 2008 - May 2009, he also served as the first ever Chief of Staff (aka Executive Director) of the new U. S. Coast Guard Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) for RADM [[Timothy S. Sullivan]].  Prior to reporting to Pacific Area, Diaz headed the Coast Guard’s International Affairs Directorate in Washington, D.C. reporting to the Deputy Commandant for Operations, and often working directly for the Commandant, Admiral [[Thad W. Allen]]. He also served as Aide de Camp for the 20th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Robert E. Kramek.

==Capitol Hill and 9/11==
Diaz spent three years working on [[Capitol Hill]] from 1999 to 2002.  Diaz was the first Coast Guard Officer to serve in a Congressional leadership office when he served as the Drug Policy Advisor to the U.S. [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]], [[J. Dennis Hastert]] (R-Illinois).<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|last=Copp|first=Tara|title=Carroll grad hears call of Capitol Hill|url=http://www.caller2.com/2001/june/24/today/fea-livi/3579.html|publisher=Scripps Howard News Service for the Corpus Christi Caller Times|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>   In the wake of the [[9/11 attacks]], Diaz helped identify the critical link between illegal heroin profits in [[Afghanistan]] and the [[al Qaeda]] terrorist network.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|first=Associated Press|title=Task Force to look at link between Terrorists, Drugs - dated  Saturday September 22, 2001|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2001_3336086/task-force-to-look-at-link-between-terrorists-drug.html|publisher=Houston Chronicle Section A, p. 13, 2 STAR edition|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>   Diaz was also instrumental in pushing legislation to create the new [[Department of Homeland Security]] and establish the U.S. Coast Guard as an official member of the [[U.S. Intelligence Community]].  Under Chairman [[John Mica]] (R-Florida), Diaz helped orchestrate Congressional hearings that led to the passage of [[Plan Colombia]] (i.e., the $1B U.S. aid package that helped reverse coca production trends in Colombia).

==Retirement==
On June 30, 2012, Captain Diaz officially retired from the U.S. Coast Guard.  At the time of his retirement, he was a senior Captain in the United States Coast Guard<ref name="online website" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|last=May|first=RADM Daniel|title=U.S. Coast Guard Register of Officers dated March 2, 2012 (p. 2)|url=http://www.uscg.mil/rpm/register/2012_Register_Of_Officers.pdf|publisher=Commander, USCG Personnel Service Center|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>  and serving as the Pacific Area Chief of Staff responsible for overseeing the execution of one half of all Coast Guard operations.<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite news|last=Vasquez|first=Tina|title=Coastal Bend Military Notes (Diaz Retirement)|url=http://www.caller.com/news/2012/apr/07/military-notes-040712/|accessdate=5 November 2012|newspaper=Corpus Christi Caller Times|date=April 7, 2012}}</ref>   He is President and CEO of Diaz LLC, Diaz & Associates Consulting.

==Personal==
Diaz resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland with his wife Elizabeth (McEvoy) Diaz from Madison, WI, whom he married in April 2001.  They have four children.

==Awards and recognition==

{|
[[File:USCGCAFLT.jpg|50px]]   [[Command at Sea insignia]]<br>
|-
[[File:USCGCO.jpg|150px]] [[Cutterman Insignia]]<br>
|-
[[File:USCG - Commandant's Staff Badge.png|90px]]   [[Commandant Staff Badge]]
|-
|}
*[[Image:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Legion of Merit]] - with one gold star (signifying a second award)
*[[Image:Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] - with three gold stars and Operational Distinguishing "O" device
*[[Image:Coast Guard Commendation ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Coast Guard Commendation Medal]] with two gold stars and "O" device
*[[Image:Coast Guard Achievement ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Coast Guard Achievement Medal]] with "O" device
*[[Image:Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon]]
*{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=USA - CG PUC Hurricane Katrina.png|width=60}} [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation]] with "hurricane symbol"
*[[File:Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]]
*[[File:Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award ribbon.png|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award]]
*[[Image:Coast Guard Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Coast Guard Unit Commendation]] with two gold stars and "O" device
*[[Image:Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation]] with two gold stars and "O" device
*[[Image:Meritorious Team Commendation ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Meritorious Team Commendation]] with four gold stars
*[[Image:Coast Guard Excellence Ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Coast Guard "E" Ribbon]] with three gold stars
*[[Image:Bicentennial Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation]]
*[[Image:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[National Defense Service Medal]] with one star
*[[Image:Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]]
*[[Image:Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Humanitarian Service Medal]] with one star
*[[Image:Special Operations Service Ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Special Operations Service Ribbon]] with two stars
*[[Image:Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Sea Service Ribbon|Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon]] with three stars
*[[Image:Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Marksmanship Ribbon|Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon]] with "E" device signifying EXPERT Medal
*[[Image:Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Marksmanship Ribbon|Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon]] with "E" device signifying EXPERT Medal

Diaz’s civilian awards and recognition include: 
*the Golden Eagle Award presented to the USCGC ''Sherman'' by the White House Executive Office of the President [[Office of National Drug Control Policy]] (ONDCP), 
*the Secretary’s Team Award presented by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary [[Michael Chertoff]],<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|first=Office of the Secretary|title=M/V GATUN Cocaine Seizure Team (2007)|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/secretary_2007_award_winners.pdf|publisher=Department of Homeland Secretary|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>  
*the Neils P. Thomsen Innovation Award presented to the Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) in 2010,<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|first=DHS/USCG Innovation Award|title=2010 Captain Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Award - FORCECOM for Admin, Training and Support|url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2010USCG/Expo_AwardCeremonySlides.pdf|publisher=Coast Guard Innovation Council|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>  
*the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) Special Recognition Award, 
*the [[NOAA]] General Council’s Award, and 
*two [[Congressional Record]] entries.
*He was also named an honorary Admiral in the Republic of [[Texas Navy]] by the [[Governor of Texas]].<ref name="online news" group=Mass Media>{{cite web|last=Pickavance|first=RADM William "Bear"|title=Texas Navy Association Newsletter|url=http://www.texasnavy.com/index.html|publisher=Texas Navy Association|accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>

==References==

{{USCG|article = Captain Charley L. Diaz |url = http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/DiazCharleybio.pdf |accessdate=26 January 2012}}

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* U.S. Coast Guard homepage (http://www.uscg.mil)
{{Portal|United States Coast Guard}}
*Coast Guard FAQ (http://www.uscg.mil/global/faqs.asp)
*U.S. Coast Guard Academy (http://www.cga.edu/)
*Hispanics Americans and the United States Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/history/Hispanic_Americans.asp)
*U.S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft index (http://www.uscg.mil/history/cutterindex.asp)
*Linkedin Profile (http://www.linkedin.com/in/charleydiaz)
*Harvard University Kennedy School of Government FAQ (http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/alumni/contact_arrd/faqs)
*U.S. Naval War College FAQ (http://www.usnwc.edu/About/Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx)
*The Naval Postgraduate School & the Department of Homeland Security, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)  home page (http://www.chds.us/)
*The Brookings Institution home page (http://www.brookings.edu/)
*Council on Foreign Relations home page (http://www.cfr.org/about/new_york.html)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Diaz, Charley L.}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:People from Corpus Christi, Texas]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:John F. Kennedy School of Government alumni]]
[[Category:Naval War College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Department of Homeland Security officials]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Naval Postgraduate School alumni]]