Contents

Page 1

Why We Volunteer

2

Preparing for the Future

3

75 Years of Service

4

Division 26 Country

5

SABOT, Northern Minnesota Style

6

Meet the AV Staff

7

Michigan Senate Recognizes the 75th Anniversary of the Coast Guard Auxiliary

8

Questions & Challenges

9

Bypass the Mailman & Save a Tree

10

Auxiliary C-Schools

11

From the DS0-L/P

12

GM River Days celebrate 75th Anniversary of USCG Auxiliary.

13

Helicopter Hoist Training

14

Why We Volunteer Llorens Chenevert, District Commodore

I’m sitting at the computer on a beautiful June day and my thoughts turn to the reason we volunteer in the Auxiliary. The answer to that query is always the same for me. We volunteer to make a positive impact on recreational boating safety. It was just yesterday I reviewed the Ninth District Instruction 16750.1A. The subject is, “GREAT LAKES RECREATIONAL BOATING and WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN." I’ve had it posted on the 9CR website under Members. I strongly urge you to take a look at it. It contains some extremely revealing information which is eye opening and beneficial to all of us in the RBS business. If you’ve ever wondered about the need for the hours you contribute or the value of your training in the Auxiliary, this instruction definitely clarifies that need. Our primary mission is to assist the Coast Guard in the prevention of accidents, injury, loss of life and property damage. The latest available statistics for 2012 reveal that 1073 recreational vessels were involved in accidents that resulted in 559 injuries and 122 deaths. Drowning was the cause of 80% of those deaths. It’s obvious to all of us in the Auxiliary that the use of life jackets would seriously decrease this number, if not eliminate it altogether. We have the means to make a significant reduction in loss of life (due to not wearing life jackets). It’s a message we’ve preached for years. The boating public needs to be continuously saturated with it, just like the “click it or ticket” driver safety messages we see every day on our highways. Now is the time to refocus and freshen that message through public education, multimedia messages, life jacket loaner programs, etc. The strategies are outlined in the campaign. It is incumbent upon us to utilize those strategies in order to have a greater impact on recreational boating safety and the preservation of life. I would also suggest taking a good look at Chart 1, entitled, “Injuries and Death by Vessel Type." It identifies the leading craft involved in accidental deaths. They were; 1.open motor boats, 2. cabin motor boats, 3. pontoon boats, 4. canoes, 5. personal water craft, 6. kayaks. They point to areas in need of specific targeting in our boating safety classes, marine dealer visits, vessel safety checks, and members supporting those activities. Statements that identify who and what were involved in boating accidents really caught my eye. The two most prominent factors leading to boating accidents were operator inattention and alcohol. Most operators were between the ages of 35 and 55 years of age. The instruction also shows that most accidents occur between the hours of 2:30pm and 6:30pm. This age group with a tendency toward risky behavior is another area in need of attention in our RBS education. These are just a few of the enlightening statistics incorporated in the instruction. This is a must read for all of our Auxiliarists. It clearly identifies RBS needs. It validates the value of our volunteerism, and it’s a blueprint for tailoring our RBS energies to increase the prevention of accidents, injury, loss of life and property. Back to Page 1

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Preparing for the Future Mark R Villeneve, District Chief of Staff Congratulations to the Auxiliarists of the Ninth Central Region on the 75th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary; themed “Honoring the Past, Preparing for the Future.” In the spirit of honoring our past we continue the missions and respect the traditions that made the Coast Guard Auxiliary what it is today. Importantly however, we must plan and execute a defined program to bring operational excellence, achieve maximal participation, and recognize outstanding performance in our efforts to prepare for the future of the Auxiliary. Operational excellence is very important so that we may achieve the best practices available in our efforts to accomplish mission execution. All too often, operational excellence becomes rules and regulations rather than practice, learning, and execution. Rather than creating barriers; artificial, perceived, or otherwise, self improvement and team coordination would go further in accomplishing this goal. We should endeavor to understand the actual guidelines, rules if you will, of any particular mission before advocating their adherence so that training achieves consistent performance across the entire region at the levels desired. The manuals that exist for the Coast Guard Auxiliary are a prime resource to facilitate this goal. Additionally, ALCOAST messages, training guides, and national directives serve as useful resources to supplement our manuals. Familiarity with these resources will help our preparation for the future. Recreational boating safety, the prime mission of the Auxiliary, should continue with robust support of the Auxiliary membership. Training current membership, recruiting future membership, recognizing and retaining membership will help provide and maintain the scare resource, manpower, which is so vital to the success of the Auxiliary. Preparing for the future should include areas of boating safety not typically in our mindset in the past; paddleboat and canoeing safety as an example. We need to be alert and forward looking in an effort to be prepared as our world continues to change. Maintaining a robust and fully participatory membership would prepare us well for the future and allow the Auxiliary to be all that it can be. Our membership works professionally, diligently, and at times with sacrifice to bring success to the Auxiliary. Timely and appropriate recognition is essential to maintain the morale and commitment of Auxiliary membership. We should continue our traditions of the past with regard to recognition but also need to be looking to the future and plan for optimal recognition of our membership. This is a responsibility of all membership and certainly that of the leaders of the organization. As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary, I congratulate and applaud all that you have done to bring success to the Auxiliary. I am excited to work with all of you across the region as we plan for the future Auxiliary.

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75 Years of Service Commander Nathan Podoll, Director of Auxiliary, Ninth District On June 30th, the Ninth District Commander and staff recognized the Auxiliary’s 75th Anniversary. I noticed something intriguing. There was an Auxiliarist working alongside the active duty Food Service Specialist, preparing and serving lunch to the Admiral and senior Auxiliary leadership. He was grinning widely, SO excited to serve. During the ceremony, Auxiliarists documented the ceremony as Admiral Midgette presented the award to representatives of each Auxiliary Region as the entire Ninth District staff and other Coast Guard unit representatives celebrated the Auxiliary’s milestone. After the ceremony, alongside the active duty and civilians, there were Auxiliarists cleaning up, returning Station Cleveland Harbor to pre-event condition. They weren’t asked. They just did it. This is what the Auxiliary does. You see a need and fill it. No job is too small. No task too large to tackle together. Servant leadership in action. Thank you. Sometimes, the results are more dramatic. For example, a couple recently took a boating safety course. Later, out on the water, the husband thought he spotted something in the water (they were at least a mile off shore). He turned to check. They discovered a young couple in their early twenties on a Personal Watercraft (PWC). She was driving and he had fallen off. She was sober, but he was inebriated. He could not get back on the PWC. It was obvious that he was hypothermic, as his skin looked blue. He had an ill- fitting life jacket on INSIDE OUT! It was so loose that it was slipping over his head and he was going under the waves! The husband immediately directed his wife to throw the life ring which they now keep on deck because of the class. They had to throw it twice, thankfully there was a line tied to it, also because of the class. The young man grabbed the life ring and they pulled him to the boat. He was so hypothermic and exhausted from struggling in the water that he could not climb the ladder to the swim platform. The husband had to drag the young man onto the boat using techniques learned in the course. They managed to get him warmed up and safely back to the beach! This young man would not have lasted much longer and surely would have drowned in front of the young woman on the PWC. Three things learned and applied from the course and a young life was saved. My heartfelt thank you to all instructors! Recently, I attended the 75th Anniversary celebration for a Flotilla. One of the speakers from the town commented they had lived there since birth. While his family and friends had joined the Sea Scouts, he never really understood until today what the Coast Guard Auxiliary did. Afterwards, an organizer of the event came up and offered the flotilla space at next year’s event, with sponsorship. With the visibility, this flotilla has a great opportunity to educate boaters, and recruit new members. Thank you for reaching out, sharing our story. In closing, Albert Schweitzer said it best: “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Enjoy the fruits of your labors, especially the unexpected positive results! Back to Page 1

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Division 26 Country Richard Carver, District Captain, North As you drive north from the Detroit Metropolitan area; somewhere north of the Saginaw, Midland, Bay City area, the landscape begins to look “northern." Wooded, lots of lakes and more in each mile, you approach the connecting point where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan “join” actually one very big lake but defined by the Mackinac Straits and a magnificent bridge. You are in Ninth Central, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division 26 country. Despite lingering ice in the spring and wooded wild lands, big things happen here. Visit Alpena, Michigan. AUXOP is the key word. Auxiliary operating a 25’ Defender Class RBS (Response Boat Small) on Lake Huron. With winter’s grip and the lingering presence of ice on the lakes, by the end of June, AUXOP Station Alpena was on the water and engaged in serious training. Actually, Division 26 had three boat schools this spring. One, of course, was in Alpena and helped bolster the necessary bench strength for Defender Class Response Boat operators. But, Division 26 also conducted major training operations in Charlevoix and St. Ignace, Michigan. A total of nearly 60 Auxiliarists attended and benefited from access to QE check rides, certifications and updated proficiency. Mostly they scraped off the effects of winter and improved their SABOT based boating skills. That’s not all. The USCG Auxiliary 75th Anniversary is a big part of Flotilla operations this year. Division 26 will be placing a renewed emphasis on Vessel Safety Checks, will be very actively recruiting new members to help with the increasing workload, will conduct “open houses” in several locations and continues to be active with boating safety displays and Public Education classes. One very big event in the north country was July 4-19 in Traverse City, Michigan. The “Cherry Capital” hosts a National Cherry Festival and folks like you and me, definitely with a well-guarded taste for large, succulent sweet cherries, will flock to Traverse City to experience all they have to offer. Among all these tasty delights, visitors will also experience Coastie, the USCG Auxiliary tug boat with important messages on Recreational Boating Safety for young and old alike. And, not to be outdone for the first time ever in its 61+ year history, the USCGC Cutter Mackinaw allowed Auxiliary members to spend the night on board as part of the 75th Anniversary. The date was June 26th and it was a one of a kind event any member would have benefitted from attending. While this is all happening, our Auxiliary associates are active on Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake, conducting Vessel Safety Checks; they are flying AuxAir missions out of Air Station Traverse City, MI; they are conducting AUXOP patrols of Lake Huron and Safety Patrols on Lake Michigan; and they are helping keep the waters of remote places like Drummond Island, Les Cheneaux, Grand Marais, and Whitefish Bay/Sault Ste Marie, Michigan safe and secure for thousands of recreational boaters. So now, when you drive north and pass Saginaw, Midland and Bay City, you know a lot more about all the Recreational Boating Safety activities going on all around you on the other side of those beautiful trees. Come visit and experience it for yourself. Back to Page 1

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SABOT, Northern Minnesota Style Susan Thurlow, Division Commander 30 What is it, who needs it and why should I spend my time participating? In the far western reaches of District 9CR, there are a group of dedicated leaders who have planned and executed SABOT for two (going on three) years. Standardized Auxiliary Boat Operations Training is an opportunity for qualified crew members to hone their skills in a Division (or flotilla) level training environment. In 091-30, we conduct our training weekend on Leech Lake in central Minnesota. Two years ago, our Division 30 operational leadership, QEs and qualified coxswains and crew members worked together to learn, help crew trainees and enjoy the fellowship of our fellow Auxiliarists. That first year, we did all of the SABOT basics and added in a session on night operations, plus training manual sign-offs. New members were excited to make so much progress on their qualifications in one weekend. Last year, we added in navigation, chart work and search patterns. It was a challenge to work with the charts to locate a buoy that had been dropped off in a “secret” location earlier in the day. Our trainees met the challenge. This year, SABOT will be led by 091-3005 FC and QE Jay Croy with able assistance from Howard Gladwyn, QE, James Munger, M.D., SO-Ops, Raymone Kral SO-MT and VDCDR Wayne Hempeck and DCDR, Susan Thurlow. The menu of training opportunities will include marlinspike training, chart reading, standard commands, boat handling, towing, and MOB drills. Special attention will be given to our dockside activities including risk assessment and the pre-underway facility check. Our leadership group has begun work on determining a schedule, timing and crew requirements. Logistics for an operation like ours are unique due to the distances members travel to make it happen. Take a quick look at a map of Minnesota to get an understanding that our members hail from Duluth, International Falls, East Grand Forks, Fargo, Brainerd and Warroad. When we say that Division 30 covers the northern half of Minnesota, we mean it.

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Meet the AV Staff By Bob Shafer, DSO-AV & Dick Carver, ADSO-AV When it was time to write an article about the job that our AV staff does, I did what a DSO-AV does, I asked the Aviation staff for help. ADSO-AV Dick Carver stepped up and helped write the following. The 9CR AUXAIR program runs so well due, in large part, to our dedicated Aviation staff members. They put in many hours to make sure that schedules are completed, classes are taught, and safety gear is ready for our flight crews. Just as every aircraft flight hour may require several hours of maintenance and preparation, the AV staff members spend countless hours on a variety of tasks in order to make the Auxiliary Air Squadrons function effectively. The Auxiliary Aviation Coordinators (AACs) have perhaps the busiest job in the AV department. They are the guys who create and maintain the flight schedules, interface with the Air Stations on a day-to-day basis and run their respective Squadrons. Jim Johnson, assisted by our newest ADSO, David Montgomery, handles Air Station Traverse City (ASTC). Bob Ahern handles Air Station Detroit (ASDET). These guys are vital to the success of the 9CR AUXAIR program. Jim and Bob can be found working behind the scenes almost any day of the week and often on weekends, too. Working hand in hand with the Active Duty Auxiliary Liaison Officer (AUXLO), they respond to operational requirements including unscheduled cargo, passenger transfer, environmental and Search and Rescue callouts, as well as a variety of other objectives as decided by the Air Stations. That’s the AUXAIR equivalent of our old friend in the surface force, Fast Response. They work closely to schedule, or to supervise the scheduling of all AUXAIR missions. The mission set includes flight crew training and qualification missions, Maritime Observation Missions (MOM), Environmental Protection missions, Ice Reconnaissance missions and a laundry list of other authorized AUXAIR assignments. Scheduling flights to maintain proficiency for pilots, aircrew and air observers is an important and continuing requirement. AUXAIR crews have annual requirements for recurrent training in flight safety, aeromedical, emergency egress, and swim qualification requirements. There are training flights and check flights to administer and occasional special training events like fly-ins for SAR exercises. Our training team includes ADSO-AVs David Pflum, Hubert (Wes) Snyder and Arthur Whelan. Art has the distinction of being the longest tenured member of the 9CR AV staff. Flight crews have to be properly outfitted with Personal Protective Equipment. With many flights conducted overwater and in winter conditions, properly maintained PPE is essential. Our ADSO-AVs are involved in everything from determining future needs to outfitting current crews with the latest and best equipment from our friends on the “gold side." Jim Johnson, at ASTC and Glen Florence, at ASDET, manage the PPE for our crews. Don Veres is our data wrangler. He goes through each and every mission report to compile data and reports on our flight operations. Richard Carver is our representative in “The Great Northwest”, the far away lands of Division 28 and 30. He has been a terrific leader up there, handling a multitude of tasks from recruiting to teaching safety workshops. Rounding out the district aviation staff is Dr. Jeffery Kyff, who is the District Flight Safety Officer (DFSO), a DSO level position. In addition to his district job, Jeff is on the Auxiliary National Staff in the Auxiliary Aviation Division as the Flight Surgeon Branch Chief. In their spare time, ADSO-AVs are our frontline in AUXAIR recruiting. All flight crew candidates go through a training and qualification process. Our ADSOs guide them through the sometimes-confusing steps. So, the next time you see an AUXAIR flight go over or hear about a successful AUXAIR mission, as you marvel at the skills of the flight crew, think also about all the planning and preparation that goes into every flight. Just as maintenance is necessary for the aircraft, administrative maintenance is necessary for the program and for our flight crews. The ADSO-AVs are hard at work, making it happen.

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Michigan Senate Recognizes the 75th Anniversary of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Senate Floor Presentation – 75th Anniversary US Coast Guard Auxiliary June 12 – 10 a.m. – Senate Floor – Booher Remarks We the Michigan Senate, Hereby commemorate June 23, 2014 as Coast Guard Auxiliary Day, in recognition of 75 years of dedicated service. Today I am pleased to have join us on the Senate floor leaders of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to help celebrate their 75th Anniversary. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary has served as the unpaid volunteer uniformed civilian component of the US Coast Guard since its creation in Congress on June 23, 1939. More recently, the Auxiliary has served as the lead volunteer force in the Department of Homeland Security. Each year, the 32,0000 volunteer men and women of the Auxiliary save 500 lives, assist boaters in distress, conduct safety examinations of recreational vessels and instruct more than 500,000 students in boating and water safety. Auxiliary members instruct thousands of Michigan recreational boaters, as well as public and private stakeholders who live, work, and play around Michigan’s waterfront on how to properly identify and report suspicious maritime activity for the benefit of the nation’s safety and security. The Senate has adopted Senate Resolution 158 recognizing June 23, 2014 as Coast Guard Auxiliary Day. I would like to present a copy of this resolution to Commodore Richard Ives, the State Liaison for Michigan, and a constituent of mine and Representative Bruce Rendon. Commodore Ives: It is a privilege and an honor to accept this resolution on behalf of the 2,000 volunteer Auxiliarists in Michigan. I would like to thank Senator Booher and his staff for making this possible. I also want to thank the Senate and the House of Representatives for their recognition of the Coast Guard Auxiliary on its 75th Anniversary. Thank you colleagues for your attention and let’s please thank these Auxiliary members one final time. Back to Page 1

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Questions & Challenges Joe Gregoria, District Directorate Chief – Prevention When you read this article, we will be getting ready for our Fall Conference. So, I have a few questions for you. What did you do this past summer? Did you teach a class, did you do some VE’s, a PV or two, or did you do some MS training with Kim Cole? Did your Flotilla or Division have some Crew Training? The most important question I have is, “ did you participate?” If you are reading this article, then you most likely did. Now I have a challenge for you, were you a mentor? Did you take the time to call a Member in your Flotilla or Division? Being a mentor could be as simple as picking up the phone and calling a fellow Auxiliarist and asking them to join you and the group in a training class. Remember what it was like when you first joined? Did someone take the time and call you and help you? When I started, we had a Flotilla Commander. Let’s call him “Sid Lanyon." Sid took the time to get me BQ’d and IT qualified. He also took the time to take me to Station BI, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base for slacks, shirts, and shoes that I need for my uniform. I will never forget this person, as he took time out of his day to help me get started as an Auxiliarist. Did someone take the time to help you when you first joined? Take a few minutes and open the door to our new members by making the call and reminding them of the upcoming Flotilla meeting, inviting them to a training class, giving them the information for their a uniform, or just be the big brother/sister. What we do counts…..it’s literally in the numbers…….Did you send in your reports in this Summer?

The “Mainstream” is published three times per year by the Ninth Central Region, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, John Socha, Editor, at no cost to the US Coast Guard or the Government. Mail articles to 7242 Flamingo, Algonac, MI 48001, E-mail [email protected] . Llorens Chenevert,, District Commodore; Mark Villeneuve, District Chief of Staff; Robert Stauffer, District Captain-South; Don Pryjmak, District CaptainCentral; Richard Carver, District Captain-North. Confidentiality Notice: PRIVACY ACT OF 1974: The disclosure of the pers7onal information contained in this publication is subject to the provisions contained in the Privacy Act of 194. The subject Act, with certain exceptions, prohibits the disclosure, distribution, dissemination or copying of any material containing the home address, home telephone number, spouses names, and social security numbers, except for official business. Violations may result in disciplinary action by the Coast Guard and/or civilian criminal sanctions. Back to Page 1

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Bypass the Mailman & Save a Tree Bob Shafer, District Directorate Chief - Response What does everyone who has an Auxiliary facility, be it a boat, plane or radio, have in common? They have to offer it to the Coast Guard for use. How do they do that? They complete the appropriate Offer of Use form, have the facility inspected and send the completed and signed form in for approval. Then, all too often, they wait. And wait. And wait some more, until the Offer of Use form is accepted and the facility information entered into the hallowed pages of AUXDATA. Forms sent through the U.S. Mail are often delayed in transit, misfiled, misplaced, or piled on the desk of someone who won’t be at that desk for a considerable amount of time. It may take weeks or even months for Offer of Use forms to be accepted and the data entered. This is the 21st Century, so rather than use an 18th Century method of transmitting those forms; you may wish to try a more modern method. Electronics can speed up the process, as forms sent by email move much faster than even the fastest mail carrier. Here’s how to use email to submit your forms. To submit an offer of use form electronically, begin by completing the paper form (7003 Vessel Facility Inspection and Offer for Use, 7004 Radio Facility Inspection and Offer for Use, 7005 Auxiliary Aircraft Facility Inspection and Offer for Use, 7008 PWC Facility Inspection and Offer for Use) in the usual manner. When the inspection and description fields have been completed and the form signed, the form may be scanned and a PDF file of the form created. (PDF files are greatly preferred over picture formats, such as JPG or GIF files.) This PDF file may be sent via email to the appropriate recipient. 7003, 7004 and 7008 forms should be set to the OTO. 7005 forms should be sent to the DSO-AV. Aviators, who must complete an annual 7015 form, may use this procedure for sending those forms to the DSO-AV as well. If you have a version of Adobe software that allows saving of completed forms, you may fill in the forms on your computer, bypassing the intermediate steps of printing, completing and scanning a paper form. After the form has been filed out, it may be signed with a digital signature, saved, and submitted. As with any other form, if you submit forms electronically you should retain a copy of the submitted form, and the relevant email, for your files. An important note: to avoid confusion and duplication of effort, if you submit forms electronically, please do not submit the same forms through U.S. Mail. Likewise, if you submit forms via U.S. Mail, do not also submit them electronically. Members who have to submit these forms are encouraged to use electronic submission. You will find that the whole process moves much more quickly, the Auxiliary will save on postage and the trees will thank you. Back to Page 1

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Auxiliary C-Schools Paul Barlow, Auxiliary Affairs, Ninth District Auxiliarists may attend training in specific Auxiliary disciplines through Coast Guard C-Schools. Coast Guard Headquarters and the Auxiliary National Staff manage, staff, and teach these schools. C-Schools differ from training the Auxiliary plans and conducts on its own using Coast Guard training funds. Auxiliarists desiring to attend C-Schools must formally apply. Use CG-5223, Short-Term Resident Training Request (STTR). The Auxiliary web site contains a schedule of C-Schools for the upcoming year. Auxiliarists may apply for any schools that are on the schedule, but they must meet the prerequisites contained on the web site: http://www2.tracenpetaluma.com/tqc/cschool_selectC.asp?c=2 The important blocks to complete include name, EMPLID, phone, course title, course number, convening date, and any information in the remarks block that the course announcement requires, such as prerequisite completion. The member's next higher elected officer (Flotilla Commander or Division Commander) must endorse Block 23 before forwarding on to your District Commodore. Ninth District action: 1) DIRAUX office receives training requests and enters them into Direct Access. 2) The Training Quota Management Center (TQC) allocates class quotas to applicants and generates TONOs for the attendees, which DIRAUX receives and sends orders to the member. 3) If a member decides not to attend the course, DIRAUX sends a message to TQC cancelling the quota or submitting a substitute. 4) C-Schools are typically held at Coast Guard Training Centers in Yorktown, Petaluma and the Coast Guard Academy. Flight arrangements for travel to these locations are handled by SATO. SATO is the recommended travel agency. Phone number: 1-800-753-7286. I can’t stress enough the importance of following the C-School process as defined above. Submit the STTRs, with approval from the Regional Commodore, to DIRAUX at least 6 weeks prior to the course. The quotas are filled on a first come first serve basis. Also, don’t forget the penalty in cancelling the quota or not attending the course at all after receiving orders as described in the Auxiliary Manual Section 8.C.3.a(6), page 8-38. Last minute disruptions to one’s schedule do occur, but cancelling a quota at the last minute seriously affects not only the individual involved but the funding justification for further C-School funding. Back to Page 1

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From the DS0-L/P Art Whelan, DSO-L/P It has been a while since I wrote for these pages; and with so many new members I want to acquaint them with my job. The DSO’s are appointed by the Commodore to assist him or her in carrying out the many missions that the Auxiliary is called upon to do. The DSO-Legal/ Parliamentarian have many jobs. We advise the Commodore and other officers when requested on many subjects: Contracts, Discipline, Elections and others. We are also called upon to advise on Parliamentary procedure and other questions regarding the orderly conduct of meetings of Flotillas, Divisions and sometimes even committees. The most important function that affects the day to day running of the Auxiliary is the approval of contracts. Every officer runs into a situation where he or she is asked to sign a contract on behalf of their unit. It might concern hall rental and food service, meeting locations, purchase of equipment or any other number of things. Any contract that is in writing must have the prior approval of the DSO-L/P. The DSO-L/P must be a licensed attorney in the Jurisdiction where he or she lives. The most worrisome clause in a contract usually involves the party on the other side wanting the Auxiliary to agree in advance to be responsible for any and all things that might go wrong, even if there might be a doubt as to who caused things to go wrong. This is where I come in. I have drafted a clause that should fit the bill if necessary, but I don’t want to tell the other side about it unless necessary. We’ll keep this as our little secret, just between us and everyone who reads this paper. Most important, do not sign a contract where it requires you to “hold harmless” or “indemnify” the other party for damages. Another problem arises when you are asked to pay” liquidated damages” when there may or may not be a way to determine actual damages. See me and let me earn my pay. Lastly, and this applies to all members; we are not subject to the UCMJ; as active duty Coasties are. We are civilians and therefore have our own brand of discipline. Certain behavior is not allowed or encouraged. At our meetings, conferences, and fellowship events, we are still wearing the uniform of the Coast Guard. We are also older and more experienced than most coasties, so our behavior should be exemplary in any event. We should be setting the pace, showing the way and above all showing our pride in our unit. Officers, know your AUXMAN and OPSMAN, not cover to cover just know where to find what you need. Encourage your members to also become familiar with them, as they may be our future leaders. I am always a phone call, email or skype away.

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GM River Days celebrate 75th Anniversary of USCG Auxiliary. Mitchell T. Kamlay, Flotilla 20-19 Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 75th birthday is celebrated at the GM River Days. GM River Days was a three day event showcasing Detroit’s River walk. The festival was held at the Detroit Riverfront by the Detroit Renaissance Center. The festival includes many activities including tours of the US Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay. The USCGC Bristol Bay had the Auxiliary manning welcoming tables and managed the civilian tours. As Auxiliarists, Danial Prater and myself, were allowed to tour the ship without escort. It was quite an experience we started at the stern and then went up the starboard side to the bridge. We inspected the bridge, noting the traditional ship’s spoked wheel and other controls. BM3 Angelo Barnett was conducting a tour. From there we proceeded to the ships mess deck just as SN Smith was giving a tour. On display was a variety of damage control equipment, some of which was quite hefty. We then preceded topside to dry land to prepare to the award presentation. Many boats and sailing ships were out in the Detroit River. Overhead was a jet from Selfridge ANG with decorative smoke trailing, followed by a fly over of three power gliders in formation. The award presentation began with a speech from one of the remaining Tuskegee Airmen, Alexander Jefferson (Lt. Col., USAF Ret.). He spoke about how he was a fighter pilot in WWII and was shot down and taken prisoner in World War II. Following that an introduction was given by Mr. Anthony Mallia, SO-PA of Division 18. LCDR Patrick Henry, the Captain of the USCG Cutter Bristol Bay, commended the Auxiliary on its excellent assistance to the Coast Guard. Finally, A State of Michigan Special Tribute, passed by the Ninety-Seventh Legislature was presented by State Representative Vicki Barnett commending the Auxiliary for 75 years of service. Auxiliarists were continually thanked for their service by the public and Coast Guard Officers. Back to Page 1

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Helicopter Hoist Training Michael Dziekan, Flotilla 20-12 Divisions 18 and 20 engaged in helicopter hoist operations training on June 6, 2014 aboard a U.S Coast Guard 45 RBM from Station Belle Isle Detroit. This training opportunity was made possible through the combined efforts of CDR Clint Schlegel (Air Station Detroit), OTO Robert Clark (Sector Detroit) and DSO-OP Don Pryjmak. The purpose was to ready the Divisions 18 and 20 Operational members to use their C.G. Aux facilities as platforms for Air Station Detroit helicopter (helo) hoisting training and practice. Auxiliarists present on the first day of training were D20 DCDR Norm Raymond (20-10), ADSO-VE Mike Dziekan (20-12), and Stephen Donnelly (20-19).

There are 3 deck positions when performing hoist operations with a basket and trail line: Primary, Secondary, and the Safety Officer. The responsibilities of the Primary are to get ahold of the trail line and pull the basket toward the facility’s deck. Once the line is close enough, the Primary may use the grounding wand to bring the basket on deck. The basket comes down from the helo quite quickly so the Primary is pulling in the 300 feet of trail line quite aggressively. The Primary should pull the line in as fast as possible in the general direction of the Secondary. The flight mechanic may continue to pay out the cable after the basket is secured on the deck. The Primary’s job is to neatly guide the excess cable into the basket, and keeping the cable to the hoist taut. If the basket does not come directly onto the Back to Page 1

deck (if it drops below the aft deck), the flight mechanic may let the basket drop into the water. The basket will be lifted slightly and the pilot may move the basket directly over the deck for the flight mechanic to again attempt to lower the basket onto the deck. While this is going on, the Secondary is in a crouched position behind the Primary. The responsibilities of the Secondary are to support the Primary in getting the basket on the deck. It is the Secondary’s job to neatly coil the trail line behind, and out of the way, of the Primary. This means the Secondary must also ensure that the Primary and the Secondary do not get their hands or feet caught in the trail line when the helicopter retrieves the basket. The Secondary must also ensure that the trail line does not get pushed overboard by the helicopter rotor wash. The rotor wash is a very strong gust of wind and it can easily make you unstable or push the trail line overboard. A helpful hint is to kneel down on one knee and flake the line neatly, placing it next to your boot. The Safety Officer’s responsibility is to watch over the Primary and Secondary positions. This is an oversight position and this crewmember must be ready to jump in to assist if there are difficulties encountered. When I worked as the Secondary, the helo’s rotor wash Continued on page 15

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Continued from page 14 got hold of my trail line and almost pushed it overboard. Obviously, this would be a bad situation for both the helicopter and the facility if the trail line were to get caught in the facility’s propellers. In this case, the Safety Officer was ready to jump to my aid if the line was lost over the deck. When the helicopter’s flight mechanic begins to retrieve the basket, the Primary will feel the cable being pulled toward the helo. The Primary will pay the cable back, hand over hand, and may guide the basket. At this point the Secondary will pay out the trail line to the Primary, taking care that there are no knots in the line. The Primary will keep the trail line taut while paying out the line. It’s important that the line is paid out with the hand over hand technique. At no time should the Primary or Secondary let the line “slip” or “drag” through their hands. This will make it less likely for the cable or trail line to pull a crewmember off the deck. On my particular training mission, a rescue swimmer was deployed to the RBM. In this evolution, we were able to see the flight mechanic and the rescue swimmer readying themselves. After a few minutes we saw the swimmer step off the helo in full gear. At first, the helo was behind our facility. As the swimmer was lowered, the helo moved into a position over the rear deck. As the swimmer came closer, he reached out. The Primary took hold of his hand and helped steady the swimmer as he landed. At no time did the Primary “over-reach” and put himself into a difficult position where he could be pulled off the deck. The Secondary kept an eye on the Back to Page 1

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Continued from page 15 Primary, and was ready to stabilize the Primary, while remaining out of the way. The Safety Officer kept an eye on things and remained at the ready.

All underway operations require proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Additional items required for helicopter hoisting operations are approved helmets, goggles and hearing protection. The helmets and goggles can be acquired from the DSO and SO-OPS. For hearing protection, use conventional earplugs. These are available at many locations, including hardware stores and drug stores. In the pictures, you will see the Primary wearing gloves. Although gloves are not required, they can be helpful.

Before starting this training, we were cautioned that helicopter hoist operations training could be some of the most technical and dangerous training that we do as Auxiliarists. If we keep in mind our TCT training and mitigate the risks, we can accomplish almost anything.

When a basket is lowered without a trail line, the pilot positions the helicopter over the aft deck as the flight mechanic starts to lower the basket. When the basket is close, the Primary will use the grounding wand to catch it and to guide the basket to the deck. The pilot or flight mechanic may “dip” the basket into the water before dropping the basket on the deck. It is important to attach the grounding wand to a proper ground point on your facility. Failure to do so can result in an uncomfortable shock to anyone that may come in contact with the basket. As cable is taken in, the extra cable is placed inside the basket and the cable to the hoist must be kept taut.

I found these evolutions to be the most rewarding work I’ve done with the Auxiliary since I joined. I hope you feel the same when you get the chance to complete this training. I also would like to acknowledge Robert Shafer for assisting me with editing the terms in the article. Semper Paratus!

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