Quarterly Report - July 2007
Executive Summary
The Department of Operations is guided by its bywords of “safe and effective programs”. Our efforts are focused on the balancing of the safety of our members with the ability to provide full support to the Coast Guard in all operations program areas.
o The Department of Operations, following approval by the NEXCOM, has been reconstituted as the Department of Operations (Response). This step, designed to more closely model the active duty commands and to enable closer working relationships between the Auxiliary and Coast Guard units, has been put into effect as of July 1, 2007. Changes to the Department include:
o Transfer of the Aids to Navigation Division to Marine Safety (Prevention)
o Transfer of Incident Management Division responsibilities from the Department of Marine Safety (Prevention) to Operations (Response)
o A new telecommunications qualification program PQS has been developed and is in the process of Department review.
o On June 23-24 the first Auxiliary telecommunications national contingency exercise was conducted.
o A new VHF program for Auxiliary Telecommunications is now under construction.
o Updated and corrected chapters for the Operations Policy Manual are in review by all divisions.
o The Aviation STAN Team has developed a new Standard for qualification of flight crew across district boundaries that is being sent forward for approval of the NEXCOM and CG-3PCX.
The Department of Operations remains committed to providing policy guidance and all the program support elements required for safe and effective operations; allowing the CG Auxiliary to meet the responsibilities of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.
USCG Auxiliary 01 JUL 2007
Department of Operations Report
Quarterly Report
July 2007
Mission Statement
The Department of Operations serves the US Coast Guard by ensuring that volunteer members are well-trained, qualified and equipped to support appropriate programs and are prepared to contribute to all authorized US Coast Guard activities present and future.
Our Bywords – ‘Safe and Effective Programs’
These precepts form the foundation of the Department of Operations and every strategy and decision we implement.
The Department of Operations will:
o Recognize that the member is the most valuable asset of the organization; train them well, encourage participation and personal achievement in all activities.
o Realize the true multi-mission nature in Auxiliary surface and air patrols by integrating elements of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Aids to Navigation (ATON), and Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) in all missions while underway or airborne.
o Encourage cross training among all CG Auxiliary operational elements (aviation, surface, MSEP), CG active duty/reserve forces and local emergency response/law enforcement units.
o Maintain strong communication and collaboration with CG Headquarters units, other Auxiliary Departments and external agencies or organizations.
o Embrace new program opportunities that are consistent with the overall organizational strategies.
o Encourage ongoing training for specific knowledge and skill sets to match evolving operational demands; promote member attendance in "C" school and other training opportunities.
o Advocate good stewardship of limited resources.
o Empower members at all levels to identify opportunities to advance the goals of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
o Reinforce the responsibility of each volunteer member to honor their commitment to Coast Guard Auxiliary activities.
o Continually strive to improve the quality and safety of the operations program. Page 2 of 6
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Strategic Goals
1. Determine the Coast Guard’s need for surface, air and communication assets and activities in normal and surge conditions.
2. Provide strategies for the training and qualification of members.
3. Research and evaluate technology advances and determine how technologies should be integrated into Auxiliary operations.
4. Ensure that the supporting organizational infrastructure is in place to accommodate change.
5. Provide all tools necessary for success in Auxiliary operations, including but not limited to, policy guidance, funding, reward systems and safety equipment.
6. Leverage information system technology to improve processes and enhance communication.
7. Value the contribution and be responsive to the needs and concerns of the member, including recruiting and retention.
8. Continually evaluate our programs to improve safety and effectiveness
Strategic Goals/Tactical Elements
1. Determine the Coast Guard’s need for surface, air and communication assets and activities in normal and surge conditions.
a. The Auxiliary HF telecommunications program has been refined and developed over the past six months that it has been in operation. Regular nets have been established in all 4 regions – Gulf Coast, Northeast, Southeast and West Coast.
b. District Auxiliary HF nets are active in at least 5 districts – D5, D7, D8, D11 and D13.
c. The Auxiliary AUXMON program continues to be very active and very well-received by both CAMSLANT and CAMSPAC. This program consists of a number of specially-qualified Auxiliary HF operators and stations monitoring the Coast Guard CAMSLANT and CAMSPAC radio transmissions to ensure compliance with operating requirements.
d. The first nationwide test of Auxiliary HF capabilities and stations was held on June 23-24. This test encouraged stations to participate and receive and pass a message from the Chief Director to their Sector Commanders as part of the exercise. The effort was directed at evaluating the functionality of the Contingency Communications Network; training stations to function in a standardized manner; encouraging regional networking; and developing communications relationships between Auxiliary telecommunications, Auxiliary operations, and local active duty units. Preliminary reports are that more than 30 stations participated nationwide.
The new HF programs have provided new opportunities for recruitment of communications professionals and radio amateurs into the Auxiliary.
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e. A concept document is being developed, based on linking of operations elements and CG Auxiliary administration (leadership and management personnel). This document will define the structure of Auxiliary telecommunications and develop the functionality needed to provide continuity of control and management in normal and contingency communications scenarios.
f. A concept document for deployable communications stations that can be used during emergencies and surge response is in development.
2. Provide strategies for the training and qualification of members.
a. The Auxiliary Surface Standardization Team continues to evaluate the impact of the new Boat Crew qualification requirements and the new currency maintenance requirements.
b. The Auxiliary Aviation Standardization Team has developed standardized requirements for members transferring or operating as pilots and/or flight crew across district boundaries. This Standard is being sent to the NEXCOM and CG-3PCX for approval.
c. The revised Telecommunications Qualifications program is in the fourth draft. The proposal will call for an extensive overhaul of the system including changing the designation from “CM” to “TC” (reflecting the emphasis on the full scope of the telecommunications arena) and introducing a graduated system for qualification with three levels of competency and qualification (TC3, TC2 and TC1).
d. The AUX-14 C-School for Auxiliary Flight Safety Officers and Air Station Flight Safety Officers will be presented this fall.
e. The Education Division has developed the outline for the new TCT Training module for 2008, and is putting together the first of the ‘National Standard’ training modules for a proposed Operations Workshop for 2008
f. The ATON section of the Operations Policy Manual has been rewritten and is in Draft.
g. The TC section of the Operations Policy Manual continues in the process of being rewritten.
3. Research and evaluate technology advances and determine how technologies should be integrated into Auxiliary operations.
a. Advanced technologies continue to be evaluated, but other than in telecommunications, have not been an active issue to date.
4. Ensure that the supporting organizational infrastructure is in place to accommodate change.
a. The NEXCOM has approved the proposal for changing the organization and structure of the Department of Operations and the Department of Marine Safety. This structure is designed to more closely align with Active Duty Coast
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Guard organization, and should enable better communications and cooperation between active duty and Auxiliary. The Operations Department is now re-designated as Operations (Response), and Marine Safety as Marine Safety (Prevention). As of July 1, 2007 the Operations (Response) Department transferred the Aids to Navigation Division to Marine Safety (Prevention), and Marine Safety (Prevention) transferred the Incident Management Division to Operations (Response). A new organization chart and staff list is being forwarded for action.
b. Regular monthly or quarterly contacts between all Operations area DVCs and their counterpart DSOs is in process, either by teleconference or the use of the Smile Tiger Web site
c. Efforts continue to monitor and evaluate the UTLT program, with contact with the districts and areas active in the program.
5. Provide all tools necessary for success in Auxiliary operations, including but not limited to, policy guidance, funding, reward systems and safety equipment.
a. The Auxiliary Operations Website will be renovated to indicate the new Department structure.
b. The Aviation Standardization and Surface Standardization Teams continue to provide proposed policy guidelines for the programs: Proposals have been developed and forwarded to the NEXCOM for aviation SAMA rates and a new Standard for aviation qualification transfer across districts is being submitted.
c. The staff continues to work on proposals to simplify reporting of missions
d. A draft of telecommunications repeater guidelines is in review and revision.
e. A report on new SAMA models for Auxiliary aviation was prepared and sent to the NEXCOM.
6. Leverage information system technology to improve processes and enhance communication.
a. “UP TOP in Operations” is delivered electronically each month, and is used to enhance training and understanding of operations programs.
b. The National Operations Web site has been completely updated and standardized.
7. Value the contribution and be responsive to the needs and concerns of the member, including recruiting and retention.
a. “Best practices” from the field continue to be solicited, and are posted on the National Operations Web site and.
b. A set of Operations Workshop material for local use is being developed.
c. The aviation team is developing a set of “SOPs” based on field input for a number of basic scenarios.
d. Work has not yet begun on development of recruiting materials and strategies, but first steps in partnering with the B, E, A and V Departments has begun. Page 5 of 6
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e. The staffing and provisioning of the Oshkosh Auxiliary aviation booth is underway for the August event.
f. New initiatives to attract ham radio and other radio enthusiasts have been put in place in the Telecommunications program.
8. Continually evaluate our programs to improve safety and effectiveness
a. The Aviation STAN team has reviewed and discussed possible Standards for low-level flight operations
b. The Surface Stand Team continues to monitor the PWC and UTLT programs
Respectfully submitted,

CurA:

I noticed this in your cite:

Realize the true multi-mission nature in Auxiliary surface and air patrols by integrating elements of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Aids to Navigation (ATON), and Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) in all missions while underway or airborne.

That isn't going to make the Ops Only, whether surface or air, guys very happy. OTOH - that is the way 'it used to be'.

We do program visits and stop off to do some VSC's sometimes when we are doing MOM's so it's not change for me.

No change for us either...

River,

Here's an opportunity for your CAP guys:

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/n...070105380.xml&coll=2

CAP is based in Montgomery -- ADEM is based in Montgomery... It seems you could pick up mission tasking from this controversy and help Alabama save a significant amount of money.

I don't think that the folks taking the Caravan on boondoggle flights to gamble in Tunica would be interested in slumming around in a 172 or 182.

When I took the pilot course back in 1995, there was a whole section on verifying ATONs. Is that still in the program, and if it is, do you think we could ever teach CAP to do it?

There is still a section on it in the AuxAir training manual. For the items said to have a high probability of detection from the air, I don't think CAP members would have any more problems learning them than would any new AuxAir crew. Heck, CAP is already spending a lot of time finding and photographing bridges, locks, and dams in certain areas in relation to earthquake response missions. Would they require additional training? Of course, and so do people coming into AuxAir. No big dif.

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea for CAP to incorporate some of the AuxAir missions into our own training, whether or not the CG funds it. Learning to navigate to and identify ATONs from the air would be good for CAP pilots to do anyway.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RiverAux,

quote:

Originally posted by RiverAux:
I don't think that the folks taking the Caravan on boondoggle flights to gamble in Tunica would be interested in slumming around in a 172 or 182.

They could use the Airvan. Since both CAP and ADEM are currently at the center of controversy, it could be a great match.

From the June NACO report:

quote:

2. Division 9, Piedmont, North Carolina, conducted a weekend drill with the local Civil Air Patrol on May 26. The training was conducted on Jordan Lake and Falls Lakes, surrounding the City of Raleigh. The training scenarios included looking for boaters in distress or drowning victims and over flights during simulated natural disasters. As a result, the division and local CAP will cooperate during sundown safety patrols throughout the summer months.

Well that makes sense, since according to AuxInfo there are no aircraft in Division 9. The CAP isn't taking missions away from the Aux, it is performing missions the Aux is incapable of performing do to a lack of capability.

According to AuxInfo there are only 3 Aux aircraft in all of NC and only 20 in all of 5SR.

The following is a recap of the Sundown Patrol that took place this evening, 09 SEP 2007.

At approximately 2106Z, while in en-route to checkpoint Bravo, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) station in St. Petersburg, made a request on Marine channel 16. The USCG requested the current position of the Charlotte County Civil Air Patrol aircraft, CAP FLIGHT 827 (CF827). After advising of our position, the USCG requested that CF827 assist with the search for a Vessel In Distress (VID) in the vicinity of Charlotte Harbor/Boca Grande and Gasparilla. The VID had given the International Distress Signal (MAYDAY) on Ch. 16 four times. No other communication or signals had been heard from the VID by the USCG. Coordinates were relayed by USCG which we entered them into our GPS as a waypoint. At approximately 2130Z CF827 began a 2 mile visual search (sector search) using the waypoint as the center, as requested by the USCG. During the sector search we circled several small boats but did not see anything “out of the ordinary”. The USCG requested we perform a second search with a 45 degree offset from the first. During the second search CF827 made radio contact with Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office unit Marine 11 which was in the area assisting in the search. The USCG advised that both the CCSO boat and a USCG Auxiliary boat were performing a surface search. Upon completing the second sector search we advised the USCG that search was negative for the VID. The USCG Auxiliary vessel then requested that CF827 perform a search along the shoreline of Gasparilla Island, from Boca Grande pass to Gasparilla pass, ½ mile out from the shore. CF827 completed this search with no sightings of the VID and advised the USCG. At approximately 2223Z, with three negative searches and deteriorating weather to the Southeast, CF827 requested to return to base. USCG station St. Petersburg released CF827 to return to base, thanking us for assisting in the search.

Although no vessel was found, I thought this was a very good “real world” exercise and an good example of the benefits of the Sundown Patrol to the boaters of Charlotte County. By working with the USCG, our aircraft can cover a large area of open water when searching for a vessel in distress. By communicating with the USCG vessel in the area, we were able to search an area they could not get to in a timely manner (off the coast of Gasparilla Island).

Anything would be better than practising towing where there is no towing. A waste of time, fuel, and wear and tear on my OPFAC.

Nice to see you working with the Coast Guard, Mr. Crockwell. When did the CAP start teaching Vector Search, or am I getting old, senile and forgetful of my training? And I am mildly curious how they developed the coordinates. Estimated, or did the boat tell them where they were with the Mayday call?

SKYRAY

quote:

Nice to see you working with the Coast Guard, Mr. Crockwell. When did the CAP start teaching Vector Search, or am I getting old, senile and forgetful of my training? And I am mildly curious how they developed the coordinates. Estimated, or did the boat tell them where they were with the Mayday call?

Coordinates were relayed by USCG which we entered them into our GPS as a waypoint. At approximately 2130Z CF827 began a 2 mile visual search (sector search) using the waypoint as the center, as requested by the USCG. We received the coordinates from the USCG and searched that area.

I wasn't clear, David. What I was asking is that there is a Coast Guard search pattern called Vector Search that you were apparently using, but to my recollection it was not taught to me until I was in Auxiliary Pilot training. Did you overfly the coordinates, fly out for two miles, make a 120 degree turn so as to overfly the center again, fly another two miles, and then do it all over again? And if you did, was it the Civil Air Patrol that taught you the pattern, or did you get tutoring on the radio?

The other thing is do you know where the Coast Guard got the coordinates they relayed to you?

Just thinking like the Mission Coordinator that I used to be.