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6 ways Auxiliarists can support their local units
By John Saran, AUXPA1, District Captain East, Auxiliary Ninth Western Region (CG District 9)
John Saran is an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Here are his suggestions on how best to integrate Auxiliary members with operational active duty units. These suggestions will also be presented during an Auxiliary segment at the 2024 Sector Lake Michigan CO/OIC Conference.
Below are the top six general pathways that Auxiliarists should explore to support local boat stations:
Search and Rescue (SAR) & Training Support – Trained and qualified Auxiliary crews (coxswains and crewmembers) can provide additional SAR and training support for local boat stations. For example, Chicago Division 35 provided such support in July 2023 for Coast Guard Station Chicago. Over the course of two weeks, Auxiliary crews spent over two hundred hours conducting patrols and being on SAR standy, resulting in the prosecution of numerous SAR cases. Careful planning of patrols can ensure that Auxiliary operational time is optimized for lifesaving missions.
Auxiliary boat and air crews can also provide training support to local boat stations, whether it’s providing boat facilities for two-boat training, conducting AUXAIR fixed-wing aircraft operations or engaging in formal SAR exercises. For example, this past summer, on Lake Michigan in the Ninth District, there were three SAR-related training exercises involving several units. Coverage of the first event at Coast Guard Station Michigan City can be found here. The second event occurred on the same weekend in early June at Coast Guard Station Charlevoix in the Traverse City, Michigan area involving Team Coast Guard personnel (including Ninth Central Auxiliarists) and four members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. The final event occurred at Coast Guard Station St. Joseph and Coast Guard Station Michigan City in September and involved active duty, reserve and Auxiliary (Ninth Western Region) crews from three states that manned six surface facilities and one AUXAIR aircraft.
Watchstanding – As stations might rotate personnel and prioritize active duty watchstanding capabilities for certain SAR and other lifesaving missions, there may be opportunities for Auxiliarists to fill in as watchstanders. Not only would this provide greater coverage for active duty operations, but also help ensure that Auxiliary operations occur.
Culinary Assistance – Small boat stations with galleys may have culinary specialist personnel gaps that Auxiliary culinary assistants could fill. Qualified members could help maintain station morale by supporting the culinary mission and provide liberty and/or training time for active duty culinary specialists. In the Ninth District, Auxiliary culinary assistants cooked meals during SAR exercises at Coast Guard Station Michigan City and Coast Guard Station St. Joseph, provided galley coverage at Coast Guard Station Grand Haven during the Coast Guard Festival so that personnel could engage in training and hosted a chili cookoff at Coast Guard Station Chicago.
Seasonal Station Smalls – Since crews at all seasonal station smalls will be transferred to their parent commands, there could be opportunities for the Auxiliary to have a presence at such seasonal stations. Such presence could range from holding meetings, public education events, fellowship events, open houses and other activities to utilizing such stations for Auxiliary patrols. A good example of this occurred in the Ninth District, where nearly 50 Auxiliarists, led by the District Staff Officer for Operations, District Captain and local AUC, supported the active duty personnel in keeping Station (Small) Wilmette Harbor operational. This Auxiliary team provided 18 patrols that supplemented the active duty’s coverage and held events at the station to maintain a presence.
Public Affairs – Many stations engage in public affairs activities, whether it’s hosting open houses, participating in community events or maintaining an active social media presence. Use of social media is important now more than ever. Auxiliarists can assist stations in covering the accomplishments of their shipmates to assist in retention, showcasing Coast Guard missions as a recruiting tool and providing important information to the public. However, public affairs and social media manager duties are collateral to other duties around the station for personnel. Accordingly, stations could look to qualified Auxiliarists to support their station’s public affairs mission.
Fellowship – Many shipmates at small boat stations might be facing life-changing transitions, such as transferring to other units and re-located across the country. Auxiliarists can tap into their life experiences and provide fellowship support to these individuals as they navigate these changes. An informal cookoff event, as an example, might help provide a temporary reprieve and a taste of home for station personnel.
Auxiliary Unit Coordinators (AUC) should seek guidance from their active duty and reserve unit commands. While boat station needs will inevitably vary across the country, unit commanders and Auxiliary leadership should consider these opportunities for Auxiliary support.
-USCG-
Published in MYCG at 6 ways Auxiliarists can support their local units > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News (uscg.mil)
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By John Saran, Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist 1, District Captain — Area East,
Ninth Coast Guard District Auxiliary (District 9WR)
What does an icebreaking tug do on the Great Lakes during the summer after six months of icebreaking operations? Sailing races, festivals, cadet training, and visiting world class cities, of course (in addition to supporting the Coast Guard’s law enforcement and search and rescue missions).
It is no wonder that over the summer, the decks of the Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay (WTGB-101) are filled with visiting Sentinels from across the country. How could they pass up the chance to experience Chicago in July, with the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac or the fanfare and festivities of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week?
On July 16, the Katmai Bay arrived at Chicago’s Navy Pier for nearly a week of liberty and events supporting the 2023 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.
Prior to the race weekend, the cutter’s commanding officer, Lt. Michael Overstreet, and crewmembers attended the Warning Gun Party at the Chicago Yacht Club. Overstreet received a race pennant signed by this year’s racing captains as a show of appreciation from the Mackinac Committee and the Chicago maritime community for the Coast Guard’s support of the event.
The following day, Overstreet took part in the skippers’ meetings to augment the planning for the event, reinforce emergency procedures and answer any questions from the sailors.
As the cutter prepared to cast off on race day, July 22, “Go Cubs Go” by Steve Goodman blared over the loudspeaker. One of the crew manning a cleat for cast off was Aidan Wiecki, an auxiliarist in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program at Maine Maritime Academy. Wiecki, joined the Auxiliary in late 2022, is a rising senior from the Virginia-D.C. area who aspires to attend Officer Candidate School. Wiecki expertly handled the lines and made casting off a 140' tugboat look seamless.
“Our cadets and auxiliarists have spent part of their summer living and working onboard the Katmai Bay, earning in port and underway watch qualifications that they will be able to use anywhere in the cutter fleet,” said Overstreet.
The cutter steamed out of Navy Pier, and the crew stowed lines and human-sized fenders and raised a pennant from the U.S. Life-Saving Service to judge the wind.
On the bridge were familiar faces including Executive Officer Lt. j.g. Bryant Giorgi (who supported the 2022 Chicago Air and Water Show) as well as Lt. j.g. Kylie Vaverek, Ensign Lauren Hatfield and Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcos Madrid (who all assisted with the Chicago Christmas Tree Ship Event in December 2022). Three Coast Guard Academy cadets were also aboard, including Myles Gustavo DeCoste, a member of the Class of 2024.
The cutter was soon close to its anchorage location right outside the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. The crew conducted a briefing and risk assessment before they dropped anchor, and then settled at the center point of a safety zone to protect racing participants and waterside bystanders. Coast Guard and Auxiliary vessels supported by local agencies manned the safety zone and actively kept boaters from encroaching on the race.
Once enough vessels departed, the cutter raised the anchor and made course for Mackinac Island. The cutter followed the sailing vessels for the duration of the journey, and provided a close SAR response unit and reassurance to the 2,069 sailors.
After crossing the finish line with flags flying, the crew of the Katmai Bay was invited to attend the post-race festivities on Mackinac Island.
The cutter’s summer break did not end at Mackinac Island, and the crew began preparations immediately to take part in the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week.
Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week lasts through Aug. 12, with Katmai Bay open for free tours through the afternoon of Aug. 11. Check Door County Maritime Museum’s Facebook page for tour times.
If you would like to join the Katmai Bay or any other cutter on the Great Lakes next summer, reach out to your chain of command. Auxiliarists, contact your flotilla commander or another member of the Auxiliary chain of leadership.
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Photo by Brian Krotser
June 16, 2023
Joint operations event sees active duty and Auxiliary crews prepare for a busy SAR season
By John Saran, AUXPA1, District Captain — Area East, Auxiliary District 9WR
The SAR alarm sounded, beckoning active duty and Auxiliary crews to the Station Michigan City’s communications room. “We have a report of a vessel that just made the trip from New Buffalo to Michigan City and noticed they are missing one passenger. That means you have 1 PIW about a mile offshore and they could be anywhere in that 10-mile stretch. How do you want to proceed, and do you need the assistance of a 45’ RBM?”
These were the instructions and questions provided by the watch stander — Auxiliarist Ed Carroll — and the active duty Officer of the Day to Auxiliarist Paul Bornstein, a coxswain visiting from Chicago during a June 10-11 training exercise at Station Michigan City. Over the course of the two-day event, 25 auxiliarists from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan conducted three SAR drills and studied operations policy with their active-duty shipmates. A 45’ RBM, a 29’ RB-S II, one Auxiliary facility from a nearby Michigan City marina and two Auxiliary facilities visiting from Coast Guard Station Chicago all participated in these exercises.
Bornstein was made the on-scene coordinator and provided direction to an active-duty break-in coxswain, BM3 Oscar Garcia, to conduct the search patterns. The search started out with a real-life engine casualty for the RBM, which meant the Auxiliary boat had to proceed on its own. The Auxiliary crew started its track line search and ultimately recovered the person in water (PIW), who happened to be station officer in charge, Chief Petty Officer Steven Klika, in a dry suit. Later that day, BM3 Garcia conducted tow where the scenario vessel suffered a mock fire with PIWs. He had to coordinate with another Auxiliary facility, led by Auxiliarist Josh Zajac, to support his tow and pick up the PIWs. Little did everyone know, BM3 Garcia was having his check ride that he passed with flying colors.
“This was a great way to start the patrol season, and my crew from nearby units in Michiana was ready to jump right into it,” said Auxiliarist Todd Nitz, who coxswained a local Auxiliary facility during the event. His crew started off the exercise with a successful tow of a mock-disabled RB-S II — a task this brand-new facility had not completed before.
After each exercise, the joint crews debriefed, shared chow and engaged in fellowship. “Food is morale and the Aux culinary team kept our crews energized during the exercise. One of my BMs came up to me saying that the Aux are welcome any time, they left the galley cleaner than when they got there,” said Klika.
At the end of the event, Klika and BM1 Anthony Hanusiak provided a preview of new active-duty PQSs involving the RBM and RB-S II available at Station Michigan City for auxiliarists. Station leadership worked with Auxiliary national leadership to develop this pilot program.
“A special thanks to our active-duty shipmates at Station Michigan City. Everybody came together as Team Coast Guard over the course of the weekend,” said Auxiliarist Steve McCarty, commander of the St. Joseph Division.
The first wave of Auxiliarists deployed to the U.S. Southwest Border (SWB) are now returning home with the gratitude of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP), the U.S. Coast Guard, the Auxiliary, and the nation. In the spring of 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard received a request for assistance to provide non-law enforcement support to CBP (another component of DHS). The Auxiliary was the first component of Team Coast Guard to respond starting in late May. Deployments will continue through September 2022 and take place in several locations around the SWB including California, Texas and Arizona.
To date, 17 Auxiliarists have deployed to the SWB, while 39 received orders to deploy. A total of 222 members have expressed interest in deploying, and the Emergency Management & Disaster Response Directorate of the Auxiliary is working tirelessly to process and vet those applications. This is the first mission in recent history where a certain code or PQS was not needed – rather, Auxiliarists have assisted with general administrative support; and warehouse logistical support. Culinary assistance may also be requested in the future.
The first wave of Auxiliarists deployed to Eagle Pass Station South in Texas under the team leadership of COMO Tracy DeLaughter, IPDCO of District 8WR. With his direction, the team was able to quickly adapt to the operation and lay the foundation for future deployments. In fact, roughly twenty percent of the group either committed to a deployment extension or a return to the SWB later in the summer.
The A-Directorate, Publications Division interviewed three members who deployed with the first wave to Eagle Pass Station South: AUX Caryn Byerson, AUX David Soderholm, and AUX Terri Fraser. Common themes emerged – the gratitude, respect and fellowship showed by DHS, CBP and FEMA representatives to Auxiliarists at the SWB were overwhelming. Members genuinely felt part of the CBP team (after a short orientation) and that they made a difference in helping the vital mission at the SWB. The first-hand experience of the humanitarian operations at the SWB erased any prior understandings about immigrant treatment. The facilities were clean, air-conditioned and the immediate needs of non-citizens were taken care of (food, water, shelter, and showers).
Upon arrival, Auxiliarists were divided into three, 8-hour shifts and provided an orientation, in one case, by Captain Ronzelle Green, the Coast Guard Reservist who is the Coast Guard SWB liaison. All Auxiliarists worked under the supervision of the CBP agents and supervisors who were helpful in answering questions. Duties of Auxiliarists included assisting CBP agents while non-citizens were initially processed, data entry, stocking supplies in the temporary non-citizens living quarters, unloading pallets in warehouses, inventorying personal property of the non- citizens (to be returned later), and handing out food, water, and mylar blankets. “Each day was different and depended on the need – some days there were 20-30 people being processed and in a blink of an eye, there would be hundreds. I am an adventurous kind of guy, and I will say it was physically demanding at times,” said AUX Soderholm.
Captain Troy Glendye, CHDIRAUX, recently toured the Eagle Pass stations and visited with Auxiliarists of the second wave who hit the ground running. “The Auxiliary is the pointed end of the spear for the Coast Guard at the Southwest Border. This historic deployment is a continuation of our work with the Auxiliary bridge to seek out new opportunities for using Auxiliarists as a force multiplier,” said CAPT Glendye. During off-hours, some members went to the Rio Grande River and were witnesses to non-citizens fighting the strong currents seeking a better life in America. “It touches you a lot differently,” said AUX Fraser. Members also engaged in fellowship during the off-shift hours by visiting the local town, sharing meals, and attending pool parties, many times with CBP and other contacts made during business hours. Most notably, multiple Auxiliarists led by AUX Ed Dickson used their off-shift time and in some cases culinary specialist skills to conduct a full-day, outdoor BBQ cook-out on 02 JUN. “We made five briskets, three racks of ribs, pork butt, and jalapeno poppers, all in uniform in the hot Texas sun,” said AUX Byerson. Auxiliarists fed all three shifts that day, which included CBP, Auxiliary, and other federal workers.
If these members’ services interested or inspired you, consider volunteering at the SWB. “If you have ever wanted to be deployed in support of a Coast Guard mission, but did not think you were qualified, now is your chance. We need anyone and everyone who desires to support the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary with this mission,” said COMO Rick Saunders, Assistant National Commodore, Response-Prevention Group.
If you are an Auxiliarist interested in joining the mission, please send an email to: auximacc@cgauxnet.us to start the process. If you are interested in joining the Auxiliary to start or continue your service or to join in this humanitarian mission, please click here to find a flotilla near you!
By: John Saran, AUXPA1, Division Chief – Publications, A-Directorate
Interviews of: CAPT Troy Glendye, CHDIRAUX, AUX Caryn Byerson, AUX David Soderholm and AUX Terri Fraser.
Contributions by: COMO Rick Saunders, ANACO Response-Prevention Group and COMO Tracy DeLaughter, IPDCO District 8WR.
EAGLE PASS, Texas — CAPT Glendye, CHDIRAUX, and the second wave of Auxiliarists stand outside of Eagle Pass Station. (Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by COMO Tracy DeLaughter)
EAGLE PASS, Texas — AUX Fred Black, AUX Wes Morosco, and CBP Watch Commander Anthony Cabarillo conduct an introduction meeting for the second wave of Auxiliary volunteers. (Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by COMO Tracy DeLaughter)
EAGLE PASS, Texas — AUX Ed Dickson works the smoker and showcases his famous, BBQ sundae during the Auxiliary BBQ for the CBP at Eagle Pass Station. (Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by COMO Tracy DeLaughter)
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Culinary specialists and volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary cooked a large BBQ spread for three shifts of CBP and other federal workers at the Eagle Pass Station. (Coast Guard Auxiliary Photos by COMO Tracy DeLaughter)
EAGLE PASS, Texas — AUX Fred Black works the pallet hack in the warehouse at Eagle Pass Station. (Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by COMO Tracy DeLaughter)
The 2014 1 hour TCT Refresher is now available on the Response Directorate What's new Page at http://www.rdept.wow.uscgaux.info./content.php?unit=R-DEPT&category=WHATSNEW.
This is a mandatory refresher for currency in the surface operations program again this year.
Source [Bruce Pugh, DVC-RE]
The optional 2014 Operations Workshop slides are now available on the What's new page for the Response directorate at http://www.rdept.wow.uscgaux.info./content.php?unit=R-DEPT&category=WHATSNEW
Source [Bruce Pugh, DVC-RE]
The new Initial and Five Year Currency Maintenance TCT Workshop resource materials, announced in ALAUX -10/13 on 08 AUG, are now available.
Take a look at the Response Directorate Education Division page [http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=R-DEPT&category=education-division] for the latest on the new TCT program.
This is a 4 hour program which replaces the current 8 hour class for both Initial and 5-Year currency requirements in our operations programs. Note the document links for the TCT Slides, the Facilitator Guide and the Participant Guide, as well as a link to the ALAUX from the CHDIRAUX announcing the program and the process for getting facilitators certified to instruct in the new program.
Source [Bruce Pugh, DVC-RE]
The 2013 TCT Refresher Session materials and the 2013 Operations Workshop materials are now available. Both products have been posted and may be downloaded from the Response Directorate "What's New" web page.
Source [Robert Shafer DIR-R]
The 2012 Surface Operations workshop materials are now available on the Response web site. This is an Optional training session for Auxiliarists participating in surface operations.
Source [Bruce C Pugh, DVC-RE]
The 2012 TCT Refresher training materials are now available on the Response web site. As in prior years, this is a required session for all surface operations Auxiliarists. Failure to complete this session in 2012 will place you in REYR status.
Source [Bruce C Pugh, DVC-RE]