Schoolmates Serve in Coast Guard
John McWililams and Chris Presnell, likely the only two people from Monticello currently in the U.S. Coast Guard, had the opportunity to fly together last week. Here you see them standing next to a Coast Guard MH-65D helicopter.
The two former schoolmates’ paths have crossed some in the past, but this was their first opportunity to actually fly together.
Both men are Lieutenant Commanders. LCDR Presnell is stationed at the Aviation Training Center (ATC) in Mobile, Ala., and LCDR McWilliams is stationed at Air Station Houston, Tx.
Two weeks ago, LCDR Presnell went to Houston as part of an annual unit standardization visit.
During this visit LCDR Presnell and others from ATC evaluated the pilots, aircrew and rescue swimmers at Air Station Houston and ensured they are meeting the Coast Guard fleet standard. The picture above was taken just after one of those flights. They are both smiling so it seems John’s flying was up to standard.
The two men grew up together in Boy Scouts and in school, graduating from Jasper County High School in 1993 (Presnell) and 1994.
LCDR McWilliams joined the Coast Guard in 2002, and became a helicopter pilot in 2004. LCDR Presnell started his helicopter flying career in the U.S. Army serving there for nine years before transferring to the Coast Guard in 2006.
LCDR McWillimas is the son of Nixon and Mary McWilliams of Monticello. LCDR Presnell is the son of Judi Presnell of Carrollton and Roger Presnell of Buena Vista. Ms. Presnell was a second grade teacher in Monticello for some 15 years.
The men have stayed somewhat in touch through the years, but this is the closest they’ve ever served together. LCDR Presnell returned to Mobile last week after the two-week training exercise.
