Colleagues and friends, it is with both pleasure and a touch of sadness that the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS) moves from its home of 11 years at the Coast Guard headquarters building to the new Lincoln Hall at the National Defense University on Fort Lesley J. McNair.

We have been very privileged to share quarters with the Coast Guard over the past 11 years. During that time the growth of the Center into the premier security and defense educational outreach institution in the Americas was helped immeasurably by the sense of hospitality and shared mission offered to us by several Coast Guard commandants and all of those who worked under their command.

We are also thrilled to be moving onto the grounds of Fort Lesley McNair and into NDU’s impressive new Lincoln Hall. Although we will be sharing some of our facilities there with sister institutions, perhaps a reflection of the “team of rivals” motif that is all the rage today in today’s Washington, DC, we have been lucky to count on greater square footage than we have now.

Lincoln Hall’s elegant architecture, its physical proximity to NDU’s fine library, and what surely will be a greater sense of comradeship with our colleagues in and around the University are just some of the important benefits we can count on in leaving the hallowed halls of (and unparalled views from) the Coast Guard building.

At this bittersweet time, we heartily thank Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad W. Allen and the women and men of his service for all they have done, and extend our warmest appreciation to NDU President, Lieutenant General Frances C. Wilson, USMC, and her staff for helping make the transition both smooth and inviting, despite the December chill.

Very best wishes to all!

Richard D. Downie, PhD
Director, CHDS