District 1 Southern Region

Auxiliary Air Station Caldwell

10-20 News January to June, 2005

For current news page click H-E-R-E, or above.

Previous News Pages: Jan-Jun 2004, Jul-Dec 2004

Event coverage coming soon!

A lot has been going on these past few weeks. We had a Change of Director, and a very successful fly-in to Coast Guard AIRSTA Cape Cod. Keep watching these pages in the next few weeks, as there will be coverage presented here. Stay tuned...

District Commodore Charles Sferra and National Area Commodore - East Nick Kerrigan (Immediate Past DCO, D1SR) present Captain John Felker, outgoing Director of Auxiliary with the insignia of his new rank at the June 18th District Meeting.

Air Station Cape Cod hosted 80-plus Auxiliairsts from all over the First District on June 25, 2005. A great time was had by all.

Awards Page Updated

Please click on over to the Awards & Recognition Page. The Awards & Recognition page has been updated with new qualifications granted (right column), and awards and qualifications presented (center column). Keep an eye on this page, as your name may be up there some day!

New Ribbons Page

Ever wonder what the right way to wear your ribbons is? If you're not experienced in the military, you may not be as well versed in proper ribbon wear as those of us who were in the military. Keep an eye on the new 10-20 Ribbons page, as it grows in the upcoming weeks.

June meeting at Charlie Brown's Steakhouse

You should have gotten the flyer with the details in your mailbox, but in case you didn't you can look it up on our Calendar Page!

New Operations Policy Manual to be printed

Flotilla 10-1 and Flotilla 10-20 have joined forces to have 100 total copies of the new manual printed by Tom Pensich, a member of 10-1. If all goes to plan, they will be available at the 10-20 meeting on June 9th. We are only getting 50 copies at this time. Since they are going to cost us some money, we want to make sure that 50 members get the copies. If we need more, we'll get them printed as well.

New Operations Policy Manual Published

The Commandant (G-OCX) has published a thoroughly revised Operations Policy Manual, M16798.3E. The new manual has been completely re-written and updated for today's Coast Guard Auxiliary. This manual replaces the M16798.3D version of the Operations Policy Manual. The letter of promulgation states:

All Pilots, Observers and Trainees should review the new manual, and read the sections on Aviation Operations as soon as possible. There are many changes, re-wordings and clarifications.

Lastly, note that your radio call sign is now “Coast Guard AuxAir” to ATC and other FAA facilities, and to USCG radio stations and facilities.

Coast Guard Aviation Day at FRG

Flotilla 12-07, based at Farmingdale, New York's Republic Airport is having an event showcaseing Coast Guard aviation. Read all about it here: http://www.netskeds.us/documents/20050507CGAviationDay.html

Changes to Aviation Paperwork Procedures B&P

“Over the past couple of years, Peter Lombardo has done a superb job of ‘managing the paper’ in our Aviation Program — we all owe him a great debt of gratitude. His efforts have led us to the point at which we can make some further improvements in our processes, as a result of some philosophical changes that came out of Task Force Venezio. The changes delineated below will make the process even smoother and faster, thus, further reducing cycle time on facility and aviator qualification and approval entries in AUXDATA and NETSKEDS.”

“Effective immediately:

1. All requests for pilot, observer or facility qualifications will be sent directly to DSO-AV.
2. Upon review and approval, they will be immediately faxed to DQO (Bill Tooker) for review and input into AUXDATA. When this is complete, confirmation email is sent back to DSO-AV that entry has been made.
3. Appropriate entry will be made in NETSKEDS by the ADSO-AVT/AVM or his designee based upon the email from the DQO.
4. The approved and entered paperwork will then be forwarded to the Director's Office for entry into the Director's records and completion of certification letters etc. Accordingly, it will no longer be necessary to wait for the Director's letter of appointment before entering Quals into AUXDATA and NETSKEDS and, once entry in both systems is effected, flying can begin.”

(Date:25 April 2005, Source: DCO) - From the D1SR web page

Reimbursement Rates Updated!

With little (ok, no...) fanfare, the Chief Director's office published, on 20 April 2005 a new reimbursement rate schedule. Click to download the Auxiliary Aviation Facility Flat Rate Reimbursement (128k PDF).

Fleet Week Approaches!

The 2005 edition of Fleet Week New York kicks off 25 May in New York Harbor. Auxiliary Volunteers are needed to act as tour giudes, crowd control, security screeners, and many more positions. Please volunteer your time for a couple days, a day, or even half a day. The time we spend on board is more liberty time for our young men and women in Coast Guard blue.

Fon an overview and contact information: http://diraux.cgaux1sr.org/Misc/Fleetweek05.pdf

For the sign-up application: http://diraux.cgaux1sr.org/Misc/Fleetweek2-05.pdf

Fleet Week is a lot of fun. you will meet many members of the public, and you will get firsthand appreciation for what the Auxiliary means to the regulars out there on the lines.

An Assist for 10-20!

On April 16, one of 10-20s facilities was on patrol, and was asked to check out a boat having mechanical problems while the Coast Guard 25-foot boat made its way there. The facility located the vessel, and stayed on scene until relieved after the arrival of the CG boat. This photo (unfortunately overexposed) shows the subject vessel to the left, with the CG boat entering the inlet behind.

Website Update!

The keen-eyed among you who frequent this site will note a few changes to the banner at the top of the page. Recognition of our Coast Guard Auxiliary District and Region has been added, the Flotilla name has been centered, and other items re-arranged. But the biggest thing to note is the flags flying on either side of the page header. The flags will fly at half-staff on Memorial Day morning, in accordance with public law. Also, they will fly at half staff whenever so ordered by the President, or other official authority. This is the same as would be observed at a regular Coast Guard Air Station.

Currently, the flags are at half staff "As a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II..." , as ordered by President Bush.

Director issues message regarding Uniform wear

Commander Felker, Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) for District 1 Southern has issued a message regarding the wearing of the Coast Guard Uniform by Auxiliarsts, The text of the message can bee seen H-E-R-E.

As a side note regarding uniforms, it's time to put away those Winter Dress Blue shirts. The Winter Dress Blue uniform (Dark Blue CPO shirt, and men's tie) is only authorized November 1 to March 31 for stations in our latitude. The same goes for Winter Undress Blue (light blue long sleeve shirt, shoulder boards, tie). Now is the time for the Summer Undress Blue uniforms (light blue short sleeve shirt, collar devices, no tie), through October 31.

As a reminder, Tropcal Blue Long (light blue short sleeve shirt, shoulder boards) is authorized year-round, as is the Service Dress Blue uniform (Service Dress Blue coat, long sleeve or short sleeve shirt and tie). See our Uniform page (link at left) for details.

CRM/Spatial Disorientation Training

Six Division 10 members, including five 10-20 members, recently attended Crew Resource Management and Spatial Disorientation training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. All members attending the class with six other Auxiliarists had nothing but good things to say about the training. The highlight of the training was the ‘ride’ in the MSDD or Multi-Spatial Disorientation Device. It was really an eye opener for everyone. More information to come. Pictured here, from left: Larry West (VFC, Observer); Fren VanDerWilt (Trainee Pilot); George Lees (Observer); Kathleen Silva (10-1, Observer); Tom McGloin (First Pilot); Bob Ewing (FSO-FN, Copilot).

National Commodore's web site

Please visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Commodore's (NACO) web page at www.auxnaco.org. This is the first time that an Auxiliary National Commodore has had a web site. You can read about his business plan for the Auxiliary here. Great reading.

Annual Workshops

Members will have at least two opportunities to take the Annual Operations Workshop in April. The first is on April 4th at the Rochelle Park American Legion Hall. This is given by Division 10. The next, and easiest for our members, will be at the April 14th Flotilla Meeting.

The Annual Operations Workshop is mandatory for anyone in the boat crew program. While not mandatory for Aviators, it has valuable information on the overall operations program for 2005 that is of value to the Auxiliary Aviator. Please plan to attend one or the other presentations.

There is also a mandatory workshop for Instructors in Member Training and Public Education. The third mandatory workshop is for members participating in the Program Visitor (formerly Marine Dealer Visitor) and Vessel Examination programs. As soon as I find a Flotilla putting one or the other on, I will inform the Flotilla. In the meantime, e-mail your VFC if you are in one of these programs and would like to be notified of their being presented.

All workshops must be taken by May 31, 2005. Failure to take the workshop will put you into REWK status (meaning you need to take your annual workshop) until September 30. If you still have not taken the workshop by that time, you may need to re-qualify in your program. Don't let that happen to you!

Web Page Updates!

The 10-20 Member Training and Calendar pages have been updated with new nformation. Please check them out. There is information on Boat Crew Training, and FAA facility tours.

Cadet Training

Flotilla 10-20 Pilot Bob Ewing participated in the District's Cadet Training program recently. US Coast Guard Academy Cadets Lizzie Alexander and Micah Gentile (both with the Class of 2007) flew with Bob on a familiarization flight from Groton, CT to Lincoln Park, NJ, then returned to Groton after a brief tour down the Hudson. (Above: Bob Ewing explains stalls and other points of flying. L to R: Cadet Gentile, Cadet Alexander, Bob Ewing. Photo credit: L. West)

Also participating this day were John Barteluce of 10-1 (his Facility can be seen in the background above) and Dave Tyler of 25-04. A total of six Cadets had an opportunity to fly this day. More pictures can be seen H-E-R-E

This program of District 1 Southern Region helps familiarize Cadets who are interested in Aviation with aircraft and flying. Changes in the Coast Guard now permit some Academy graduates to go directly to NAS Pensacola for primary flight training rather than going to a Cutter billet first. Pilots with facilities are encouraged to participate, and help train the future leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard.

AUXCOM Class

Flotilla 10-20 will be offering the AUXCOM course to interested members beginning Monday, March 7, 2005. This course is required in order to become a qualified Air Observer. The course will be held at our normal meeting location, Caldwell Flight Academy. To sign up, contact VFC Larry West.

Uniforms Page Updated

And upgraded! The Uniforms page, formerly buried on the "(New) Members Page" has been promoted to a navbar page on the left. Click there & learn all you ever wanted to know about Auxiliary Uniforms.

Flotilla Meeting February 10th!

Spatial Disorientation Training

As you have seen in your e-mail a couple times this year already, we are soliciting our members to attend Spatial Disorientation/Cockpit Resource management training at Naval Air Station Pensacola for classes February through September. The class dates are: 2/24; 3/24; 4/28; 5/19; 6/25; 7/28; 8/25 and 9/28. The training is to acquaint all flight crew (Observers as well as Pilots) to the dangers of Spatial Disorientation. The need for this training was identified after investigation into the loss of an Auxiliary Air Facility and crew in Florida a few years ago (while training with an HU-25), and the J.F.K. Jr. accident.

This training is funded by the U.S. Coast Guard, so will be at no cost to you. You will be reimbursed for travel, lodging and meals. We have 19 members of our Flotilla who should attend during this year. Don't think it's too late or too early too request a date. Pick a primary date and at least one backup date.

Although primarily geared toward Pilots, Observers are welcome and will be accommodated as space permits. Trainee Pilots and Observers are also welcome.

Requests now are being handled on a first-come basis. If you want to attend this training, please contact VFC Larry West by e-mail or phone (908-405-7640), or see him at the Flotilla meeting February 10.

We have two papers with good advice on the training from Members Bob Button and Henry Uiga:

• Bob Button - The Pensacola Experience (2/2005)
• Henry Uiga - Travel Tips (7/2004)

NAS Pensacola, located in the Florida Panhandle, is home to the Blue Angels, and home to the Naval Avaiation Museum. The Museum is a must-see, from what everyone says. The museum has a spectacular collection, including, far as this writer knows, the best collection of U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft anywhere. I don't even think the Coast Guard has a Widgeon anywhere!

Happy New Year!

We hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe New Year's celebration. Flotilla 10-20 won't be idle for long, though. The year begins with the 10-20 Change of Watch on Saturday, January 8th. If you have not made your arrangements, please contact Bob Jenny immediately!.

The first Flotilla meeting of the year will be on Thursday, January 13th at 1930 hours. Please plan to attend. For those who were planning to attend the January Division meeting, there will be no regular meeting in January. The Board will meet January 19, and the Staff on January 26th.

No Holiday for These Crews!

Flotilla 10-20 crews and facilities were in action right to the end of 2004, as always. Pictured above are the Auxiliary Air Facilities of Frank Tangel (Cessna 172 at right) and Fred Simmons (Bellanca Viking at left) on the ramp at Groton (GON) refueling. The crews were: Frank Tangel and Mark Sherman in Frank's Cessna, and Fred Simmons, Jim Smith (of 1-6) and Larry West in Fred's Bellanca.

On New Year's Day 10-20 picked up where we left off, with more flights. Bob Ewing, Kathleen Silva (of 10-1) and Larry West were flying early in 2005 with a combined Activities NY, Hudson and Burlington patrol.

New Qualifications!

Some 10-20 members recieved an early Christmas gift in the form of a new qualification. Darryl Laxson is now a qualified First Pilot. Henry Uiga's Co Pilot qual is in, with checkride imminent. Finally, Don Arseneau and Roberta Rollins have been qualified as Air Observers.

The big news, though is that two members have qualified for the Auxiliary's highest designation — AUXOP — or Operational Auxiliarist. The AUXOP designation is awarded to those auxiliarists who have expanded their knowledge of the Auxiliary's operations by successfully completing the six specialty courses. The recipients are Bob Jenny, IPFC and Bob McHugh, 2004's FSO-MA. Bravo Zulu! Watch the Awards page for the presentations, or — even better — come to one of your meetings!

Election Results

Division Captain Art Kramer presided over and certified Flotilla 10-20's election of officers for the 2005 term. The Bridge for 2005 is:

• Flotilla Commander: Rob Silano
• Vice Flotilla Commander: Larry West
• Immediate Past FC: Bob Jenny

Left to right: Rob Silano, Bob Jenny and Larry West.

Previous Members Pages

January to June, 2004

July to December, 2004

WWW www.uscgaux.org

Site designed by: Larry West, FSO-CS

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