Allen 's first assignment as a flag officer was as Director of Resources at Coast Guard Headquarters then Commander , Seventh Coast Guard District , where he directed all operations in the Southeastern United States and Caribbean . Following that assignment he served as Commander , Atlantic Area and U.S. Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic . In this capacity he oversaw all Coast Guard operations on the U.S. East Coast , Gulf Coast , and Great Lakes in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks . Allen served as the U.S. Coast Guard 's Chief of Staff from May 2002 until May 2006 . As Chief of Staff , Allen was third in the Coast Guard 's command structure , and was commanding officer of Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington , D.C
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Thad Allen