 May 26, 2004
Olson, previously served in Washington, D.C. as the Director of Operations Capability since Sept. 2002. In this role, Olson arranged to allocate, distribute Coast Guard aircraft, vessels, shore facilities and operations command infrastructure for employment, and for the administration and integration of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Rear Adm. Olson's operational assignments include: deck watch officer aboard the cutter Duane, search and rescue pilot at Air Station Astoria, Ore.; flight safety officer and instructor pilot at Air Station Brooklyn, New York and Cape Cod, Mass.; and operations officer at Air Station Sitka, Alaska, a unit he later commanded. In 1994, Olson commanded the Coast Guard's largest Air Station - Kodiak. Of Olson's accomplishments, he recorded more than 5, 000 accident-free flight hours aboard Guardian, Pelican and Jayhawk helicopters. Olson recently also served as the Director of Joint Interagency Task Force West. Other staff assignments include Chief of Operations and Chief of Staff for the Coast Guard's 13th District in Seattle. He also served at Coast Guard headquarters in the Office of Programs, and on the Coordinating Council Staff in the chief of staff's office. While in the 7th District in Miami, he served as the Chief of Intelligence and Investigations, and directed the Maritime Intelligence Center. A 1970, graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Rear Adm. Olson earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration in his off duty time while serving at Air Station Brooklyn, New York. The Coast Guard also appointed Olson as an aviator after he completed training in 1972. He is a 1990 graduate of the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Rear Adm. Underwood took command of the 17th Coast Guard District May 6, 2002. Underwood will depart Juneau for a new assignment at Coast Guard headquarters where he will serve as the Director of Operations Policy, responsible for developing operational policy and maritime doctrine.
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