U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Casco Bay Flotilla 2-1 1NR, Operations

Boat on the rocks photo

The Operations Program is fundamental to the Auxiliary's support to the U.S. Coast Guard. Members who become qualified as either coxswain or crew serve on boats owned by Auxiliary members. These specially equipped boats perform safety patrols under U.S. Coast Guard orders to support "search and rescue" (SAR), escorts, safety zones, regatta patrols, pollution cleanup, aids to navigation (ATON) discrepancy reporting, and other missions as directed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Auxiliarist taking part in the Operations Program must become qualified, as per Commandant Instruction, as Coxswain or Crew. The training and qualification process involves classroom and underway training. The U.S. Coast Guard Boat Crew and Seamanship Manual and the Boat Crew & Coxswain Qualification Guides are the manuals used in training.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Crew & Coxswain Training is an important part of Operations and takes place most Tuesday evenings at 1830 at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England in South Portland, Maine.

Operational Facility Patrols and underway training begins in late April and runs until the end of October.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Coxswain Device Image

Coast Guard Auxiliarist augment active duty Coast Guard aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Shackle as crew (Quartermaster, officer of the deck etc) after a rigorous training program and qualification process.

Members may also become qualified as Crew, and serve aboard, U.S. Coast Guard small boats (above) at Station South Portland. This training and qualification requires special knowledge and skills as well as the ability to meet certain physical standards.

AUXAIR is an Auxiliary operational program, but organized on a district level rather than on a flotilla and division basis. AUXAIR aviators have varied aviation backgrounds and many have prior military experience. AUXAIR aviators volunteer their aircraft for use as facilities, just as surface operators volunteer their boats.

All Auxiliary aircraft meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration requirements. These aircraft are inspected annually per the Commandants instruction.

AUXAIR participates in many Coast Guard missions including Search and Rescue, Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security, Marine Safety, Pollution Response, Aids to Navigation and Ice Reconnaissance. It also conducts Logistic Transport Missions. AUXAIR is an integral part of the Coast Guard search and rescue team and its homeland security forces.

As with surface operators, air facility operators are issued patrol orders. Orders are issued based on schedules created by crew and facility availability and the needs of the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Air Stations are the Order Issuing Authority for AUXAIR. This alignment of Auxiliary aviation assets in a district with an Air Station is known as the “squadron concept”, because aviation orders and direction flow directly between the Air Station and the district aviation staff.

Auxiliarist involved in AUXAIR take Auxiliary aviation training, completing the syllabus for their level of qualification. After having their knowledge and skills approved by an Auxiliary Flight Examiner, they may be certified by the DIRAUX as Pilots, Observers or Air Crew in the AUXAIR Program.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary augments along-side the active-duty Coast Guard’s Sector Northern New England’s Response and Prevention Departments in a multitude of missions under Marine Safety. Auxiliarist train and qualify for uniformed duty as Assistant. Harbor Safety Specialists conducting land-side and underway Harbor Patrols with Coast Guard Petty Officers, Assistant Pollution Response Specialists, Assistant Pollution Investigators, Assistant Marine Transfer Facility Inspectors, and Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiners. For more information on the “Trident” Marine Safety program visit the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s national “M” department at https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=P-DEPT.