Deployed Auxilarists to North Dakota Working Hard

As Coast Guard flood relief operations continue in North Dakota our deployed Auxilarists are working hard.

Roland Newton is in Fargo with the Coast Guard Auxiliary communications team. They are providing communications for the air assets along with strategic High Frequency (HF) radio communications back to Sector Upper Mississippi.

Gene Kellogg spent today working alongside the Coast Guard in the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Center. He is working alongside active duty Coast Guard personnel from all over the country who are working to prosecute the requests as they come in. He is helping to facilitate the surface operations and air operations.

Ralph Tomlinson is in Fargo working alongside the Coast Guard air operations personnel who are overseeing the Coast Guard helicopters in the area.

All three will return to duty tomorrow for continued operations. Good luck to everyone in North Dakota!

Flotilla Members Deploy to North Dakota for Flood Relief Mission

Thursday 3 members of Flotilla 4 deployed to North Dakota to help support the Coast Guard flood response. Gene Kellogg of Cedar Rapids, Roland Newton of Ames and Ralph Tomlinson of Humboldt are currently in North Dakota at different locations.

Auxilarists Ralph Tomlinson and Gene Kellogg will help augment Coast Guard operations personnel to coordinate responses to requests from local and state agencies to help with the response to the flooding along the Red River.

Auxilarist Roland Newton will work with Coast Guard personnel to help aid in communications between Coast Guard assets deployed throughout North Dakota. These individuals were called upon because of their experience in helping to provide a similar function during the Iowa floods of 2008.

Last year, several members of Flotilla 4 were deployed to North Dakota and Minnesota to support Coast Guard flood relief operations along the Red River.

Auxilarist Roland Newton works communications during an event in Des Moines in August. He is one of 3 flotilla members who have been dispatched to North Dakota to assist with flood relief.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by Doug Jansen)

Red River Flood Rescue Footage

From the U.S. Coast Guard:


MARVIN, N.D. – Airboat crews from U.S. Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and the Fish and Wildlife Department, working with the Grand Forks Sheriffs Department, rescue a stranded man April, 1, 2009, from a home surrounded by flood waters. The man had been helping build dikes around his son’s home when flood waters from the Red River Valley left him trapped, unable to leave without a boat. (U.S. Coast Guard video/Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson)
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=513031&g2_navId=xc41f59ac
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FARGO, N.D. -- In this video, a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit show the extensive flooding surrounding the Red River near Fargo, N.D., April 1, 2009. Many local residents have found themselves stranded after the recent devastating floods and snowstorms. Rescue teams comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, The Fish and Wildlife Service, Customs and Border Patrol, Cass County and Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department, Valley Rescue Service and several other local, state and federal agencies have saturated the area for more than a week rescuing residents from the flooded homes and working to restore the community. On the later half of the video, Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class James Downey is shown pushing a stranded resident in a rowboat out of harms way so that he could be hoisted to safety. (U.S. Coast Guard video/AMT2 Chris Shaw)
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=513116 (MOV)
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=514719 (WMV)

090326-G-9937C-003 Red River Flood 2009 FARGO, N.D. -- Coast Guard Stations Sault Ste. Marie and Marblehead of the Ninth District conducted neighborhood sweeps in communities affected by flooding along the Red River, Thursday, March 26, 2009. The Coast Guard and several federal, state and local response agencies coordinated a massive rescue effort for the state of North Dakota March 24.
(US Coast Guard. Video by PA2 Bill Colclough.)

For the latest Coast Guard news and imagery regarding the Red River floods, please visit:
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36783873@N03/
http://www.uscgstormwatch.com/go/site/1769

So what have we learned?

“As an Auxilarist, I would like to be deployed to augment the Coast Guard for a mission. What are some things that I should know? “ This is a question we have heard this week and thought we might address.

This week our three deployed Auxilarists from Flotilla 4 have learned a lot of lessons. They have sent back information to us here and given some advice.

Augmentation is a privilege. Remember that you are representing the Coast Guard and your country. Be qualified, be prepared, and be ready to get the mission done (whatever that may be) in a professional manner.

Bring value by your presence. The old adage of giving 110% is not just it. It is taking the required courses and training and then going further and doing electives to broaden your knowledge and value for such situations. Be flexible and be willing to use your talents to help others in ways you may not have expected. Be ready and willing to learn something new and do it to the best of your ability.

Follow the Coast Guard motto “Semper Paratus” or always ready. We are a small organization that does a great deal. We should be ready to go. This includes having a “go kit” with uniforms, toiletries, computers, batteries, etc. that can make you ready to deploy on short notice. Have things at home and work prepared to be able to do this. A few of our Auxilarists have said that the 4-for-1 ODU sale at the Uniform Distribution Center is something they are going to take full advantage of. Most of them only have two or three pairs of ODU Uniforms and that it just wasn’t enough for them.

Finally, we are the Guardians of all citizens and should be prepared to lead from the front and be proactive in an emergency. There is only one Coast Guard and we are in it. We should be up to the standards of the active duty and feel proud to work with them when called to do so.

- Semper Paratus

Auxilarist Jeff Towle (left) works at the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center alongside Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Allen Turner (right) during the flood response operation.
(Photo Courtesy of Nick Critelli)

Engineering a Flood Response

From the U.S. Coast Guard:
by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson, 11th District Public Affairs

FARGO, N.D. - As the workhorses of the Red River flood search and rescue operations, U.S. Coast Guard and the North Dakota Department of Fish and Wildlife airboats coast through the neighborhoods and business districts devastated by record flooding of the Red River. The rescue boat crews move swiftly from house to house responding to the cries of help from people stranded or in trouble throughout the towns of Oxbow, Harwood, Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D. Of the 95 rescues by the Coast Guard to date, 68 were performed by airboat crews. But, these heroic acts are only possible through the hard work going on behind the scenes of these rescues.

Seven Coast Guard engineers are responsible for the maintenance and repair of seven Coast Guard airboats that have saved 68 people and a number of pets and animals during the 2009 Red River Valley floods in North Dakota and Minnesota.

The boat maintenance team is comprised of machinery technicians, electricians mates and a storekeeper, deployed from Integrated Support Command St. Louis, Sector Detroit, Small Boat Station St. Clair Shores Mich., Toledo and Marblehead, Ohio. The team operates every day from the Cass County Highway Department building in South Fargo, N.D., starting at 6:30 a.m. and stopping only when the job is done.

“Our goal is to have all the boats ready to go the next morning,” said, Chief Petty Officer Tom Rising, the Ready for Operations chief from Sector Detroit. “The Cass County Highway Department has provided us with tools and a shop to get our job done and keep these boats running.”

Rescue boats from the Department of Fish and Wildlife share the boat maintenance facility with the Coast Guard, dropping off their damaged vessels in need of repair.


“We’ll fix anything,” said Rising “We’re not territorial. We’re all here for the same reason.”

After repairs are completed on the Coast Guard boats, the team volunteers their time to ensure all the rescue boats, no matter their affiliation, are ready to respond in the event of a search and rescue case.

“This is the stuff engineers love,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Marvin, a machinery technician from Station St. Clair Shores, “you never know what is coming at you, and we have to get creative sometimes to get the job done.”

The airboats range from 18 to 20 feet in length and come back from search and rescue missions needing a multitude of different repairs to be operational. They return with overheated engines, broken lights, electrical and communications shortages, as well as body and hull damage.

“I’ve never even seen an airboat until now,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Efrain Fernandez, an electrician’s mate from Integrated Support Command St. Louis. “We improvise and pick up after each other, everyone contributing their individual specialties to complete the projects.”

Sometimes the parts needed to complete the job are not on hand and need to be ordered.

“We have a great storekeeper,” said Marvin, “Petty Officer 3rd Class Stacey Darnell has been working hard to find the parts we need.”

A constant theme in the Coast Guard is that no one job is more important than the other. From the boatswain’s mate who rescues a stranded person to the machinery technician who repairs a broken rescue boat, every member contributes vital skills needed to complete the mission.

FARGO, N.D. - In this photo by the U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Mavin, a machinery technician from Small Boat Station St. Clair Shores, Mich., works on an airboat at Cass County Highway Department, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Bill Colclough)

OXBOW, N.D. - In this photo by the U.S. Coast Guard, two airboat crews deployed from Coast Guard District 9 await the next search and rescue mission during the 2009 midwest flood response, Wednesday, March 25, 2009.The airboats are used in shallow water throughout residential areas. Numerous Oxbow residents were evacuated to dry ground.(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Renee C. Aiello

Deployed Auxilarists Still Hard At Work

Our deployed Auxilarists are back at it again for another day of hard work with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Trevor Henderson is at the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) working with the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has brought a tremendous amount of assets to help North Dakota and Minnesota and Trevor gets to see it first hand.

Jeff Towle is back at the Minnesota SEOC working with the Coast Guard. With the winds following the snow storm all eyes are on the waves and levees today.

Nick Critelli is back at the Moorehead, MN Emergency Operations Center today. He had a very successful radio interview with Bradshaw on 98.3 WOW FM in Des Moines yesterday. He was able to explain why the Coast Guard is in North Dakota and Minnesota helping during the flooding and how the Coast Guard is there to help the states who are affected by this disaster.

The Coast Guard undertook its 95th rescue of this flood relief operation yesterday. Our Auxilarists are proud to be able to help in their way with this epic flooding.

Coast Guard Lieutenant John Ott (left) and Auxilarist Trevor Henderson monitor the weather conditions as a blizzard bares down on North Dakota from their post at the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)
(Photo courtesy of Auxilarist Trevor Henderson)

Airboats Are Awesome

A boat that you would normally not see this year in Fargo, ND is playing a major role in the operation; the air boat. The Coast Guard is using airboats all over the flooded area because of their ability to float on water or ice. We have seen many pictures this week of our brave Guardians and the airboats that have been doing a lot of the hard work in the flood relief mission.

FARGO, N.D. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Wheeler, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, radios to the Coast Guard HH-6575 “Dolphin” helicopter during a search and rescue case here March 26, 2009. A Coast Guard air boat passes behind him.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell)

A Coast Guard Station St. Clair Shores airboat crew prepares to deploy to a staging area in West Fargo, N.D. with a convoy of several Coast Guard and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trailerable airboats at the Cass County Roads Department in West Fargo, Saturday, March 28, 2009. The Coast Guard and the USFWS deployed three airboat teams to neighborhoods in the North River City area. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River coordinated a multi-agency response effort along the Red River March 24.

(U.S. Coast Guard/Photo by Petty Officer Bill Colclough)

A convoy of Coast Guard and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service airboats prepares to deploy to flooded communities in North Dakota along the Red River from the Harwood Community Center in Harwood, N.D., Saturday, March 28, 2009.

(U.S. Coast Guard/Photo by Petty Officer Bill Colclough)

A Coast Guard airboat crew rescues a woman from the 2009 Red River flooding.

(U.S. Coast Guard)

OXBOW, N.D. - In this photo by the U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer 1st Class Gabe Wilch stands watch on the bow of a Coast Guard airboat, Thursday, March 26, 2009.Wilch remained on the lookout for Oxbow residents needing evacuation assistance. Residents have been asked to place a red object in a highly visible location on their house to notify responders help is needed.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Renee C. Aiello)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Danny McDorman from Coast Guard Station Sault Ste Marie, Mich., watches the rear view mirror for back-up directions from Duane Kashmark, a diver from the Valley Water Rescue in Fargo, N.D., before backing up a boat trailer on County Road 81 in Harwood, N.D., Mar. 30, 2009. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Valley Water Rescue joined the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the Fish and Wildlife Service and Customs and Border Protection in the response efforts to the flooded areas around Fargo, N.D.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/PA3 Annie R. Berlin)

Petty Officers 3rd Class Jeremy Sergey, front, Dan Fraley, right, and Danny McDorman stand in front of an 18-foot Special Purpose Craft-Air, a fan propelled vessel designed to be able to operate in a minimum of six inches of water. The three crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Sault Ste Marie, Mich., have been a part of the multi-agency response to the rising floodwaters in Fargo, N.D.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/PA3 Annie R. Berlin)

Bravo Zulu to all of our Coast Guard Men and Women serving in North Dakota and Minnesota this week!

Coast Guard Support to Civil Authorities

From Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen:

Coast Guard Supports Local RespondersOriginally uploaded by uscgpressIn light of our current support to flood rescue operations in North Dakota we have received queries that prompted me to share some insights on the Coast Guard's roles and authorities in civil support.

The Coast Guard's core roles are to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America's coasts, ports, and inland waterways.

The Coast Guard provides unique benefits to the nation because of its distinctive blend of military, humanitarian, and civilian law enforcement capabilities. Most recently, you have seen this in play as the Coast Guard has worked so closely and effectively with local and state first responders to protect the citizens of North Dakota, accounting for 93 rescues so far. What the Coast Guard is able to do and what it does in support of civil authorities will always be based on our legal authorities, capabilities, and mission requirements as determined by the needs of the specific event or scenario, always based on consultation with local, state and Federal agencies.

Using the North Dakota floods as an example, the legal authority for these operations stems both from the Coast Guard's authority to conduct search and rescue and our ability provide assistance to other federal, state and local agencies when our personnel are especially qualified to do so.

14 U.S.C. 88 provides, in relevant part:

In order to render aid to distressed persons, vessels, and aircraft on and under the high seas and on and under the waters over which the United States has jurisdiction and in order to render aid to persons and property imperiled by flood, the Coast Guard may: (1) perform any and all acts necessary to rescue and aid persons and protect and save property...

14 U.S.C. 141 provides:
The Coast Guard, upon request, may use its personnel and facilities to assist any Federal agency, state, territory, possession, or political subdivision to perform activities for which the Coast Guard is "especially qualified." This does not extend Coast Guard law enforcement authority (i.e. the Coast Guard does not gain the LE authority of any agency to which it is rendering assistance). Assistance meeting the "especially qualified" standard would include the employment of drug dogs, specialized equipment or techniques, use of vessels or aircraft, and other unique Coast Guard capabilities, but would not authorize Coast Guard personnel to engage in law enforcement activities ashore beyond the scope of organic Coast Guard law enforcement authority.In this case, the capabilities at play are the Coast Guard's expertise in and resources for search and rescue operations, particularly in maritime regions, including inland rivers. The mission requirements are met by continual coordination with local and state officials facilitated by representation at their county and state emergency operation centers.

Now, let's move beyond current events in North Dakota, and look at other ways in which the Coast Guard can provide support to civil authorities. To start, here are some of the keystone Coast Guard law enforcement authorities:--

14 U.S.C. 89:
Authorizes the Coast Guard to go onboard any vessel subject to the jurisdiction or operation of any law of the United States, whether on the high seas, or on waters over which the United States has jurisdiction, in order to make inquiries, examinations, inspections, searches, seizures, and arrests for the prevention, detection, and suppression of violations of laws of the U.S. -- 33

U.S.C. 1221 et seq.:
Under the Ports & Waters Safety Act, Coast Guard Captains of the Port have extensive authority to control the anchorage and movement of vessels, establish safety and security zones in U.S. ports and waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction; control the entrance and departure of vessels from U.S. ports, and take other actions with respect to vessels, ports and port facilities to prevent or respond to various types of threats and hazards from terrorist acts to environmental hazards. --

46 U.S.C. 70118:
Authorizes limited law enforcement activities for Coast Guard personnel ashore at maritime facilities. While at facilities, Coast Guard personnel may make arrests without a warrant, but only for offenses against the United States committed in the presence of the officer. This also authorizes Coast Guard personnel to carry a firearm in the performance of their official duties - wherever located.--

14 U.S.C. 95:
Grants law enforcement authority for Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) special agents commensurate with special agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, in the enforcement of statutes under which the Coast Guard has law enforcement authority or under exigent circumstances. This authority is applicable to shoreside investigations & law enforcement activity.

When you take a look across the broad spectrum of Coast Guard authorities (the above being just a few of the more relevant), and then examine our capabilities, you are able to begin developing potential options for employment of Coast Guard support to civil authorities beyond our regular maritime safety and security operations. Examples include (these are neither definitive, nor all inclusive):

-- Command and Control (C2) - The Coast Guard could provide both qualified personnel and deployable and mobile equipment support to provide or enhance C2 capabilities.
-- Law enforcement technical support - This could include bomb and drug detection equipment, including canine teams.
-- Air operations - Coast Guard aircraft could augment and assist with surveillance, transportation, airlift, and other logistic support.
-- Intelligence - Coast Guard personnel, including CGIS Special Agents, could assist in intelligence collection and analysis.

It is important to understand that these operations are in addition to normal mission requirements and the Coast Guard is not staffed, equipped or appropriated to sustain these without additional support. In some cases, it may be necessary to call on our critical Coast Guard Reserve for additional capability and capacity. Attached is a table that describes who can call up Reservists, under what type and duration of recall, based on what events/declaration. /Reserve_Authorities.pdf

To summarize, our support to civil authorities will always be based on our legal authorities, capabilities, and the specific mission requirements as determined by consultation with other state, local and Federal partners and tailored to fit the situation at hand. Close adherence to this formula allows us to effectively and efficiently apply our broad authorities and unique capabilities for the best benefit of the American public, always consistent with Federal law and in close cooperation with local officials.

Air Station Sacramento transports equipment to help ebb floods in North Dakota

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Coast Guard crews from Air Station Sacramento transported five dewatering pumps, pipes, and connectors from Casper, Wyo. to Fargo, N.D., March 27-29, 2009.

The two crews departed the air station aboard a Coast Guard C-130 cargo plane Friday morning. Once in Casper, the crews loaded the flood-control equipment onto the aircraft and transported it to Fargo. The aircraft made three round trips from Casper to Fargo to load and unload the equipment, accumulating more than 25 hours of flight time, and traveling more than 3,600 miles over the course of the weekend.

Each pump is capable of pumping 7,000 gallons of water per minute. Two of the pumps weigh more than 12,000 pounds each, while three weigh more than 4 tons each. The pumps are part of contingency plan in case the levees in Fargo are breached.

FARGO, N.D. - Coast Guard crews from Air Station Sacramento help unload flood-control equipment from a Coast Guard C-130 cargo plane, here, Sunday, March 29, 2009. The equipment was picked up in Casper, Wyo. and delivered here, as part of contingency plan in case the levees are breached. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Coast Guard continues rescue operations and urges caution to boaters

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

FARGO, N.D. -- Coast Guard crews recorded their 95th rescue today, March 30, 2009, after 6 days of flood response operations along the Red River.

The Coast Guard has become increasingly concerned with the number of recreational boaters attempting to transit the dangerous flood waters and has established a safety zone on the Red River from Wahpeton to Pembina that began Sunday, March 29, 2009. All vessel traffic, including canoes, are restricted from transiting the Red River except for search and rescue and law enforcement vessels. This order was placed in effect at 4:30 p.m. yesterday by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

"While we understand that some boaters may want to view their homes and communities," said Capt. Steve Hudson, commander of Sector Upper Mississippi and captain of the port, "our priority is the safety of those individuals and the integrity of the levies that protect the communities. Wakes from these boats can damage those structures."

The breakdown of Coast Guard assets is as follows:
5 helicopters on scene with 8 air crews
4 Disaster Response Teams (DART) onscene, 4 on standby
7 Airboats
2 Coast Guard Auxiliary communications trailer
119 Coast Guard personnel

For the latest Coast Guard news and imagery regarding the Red River floods, please visit:
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/http://www.flickr.com/photos/36783873@N03/
http://www.uscgstormwatch.com/go/site/1769

BISMARCK, N.D. — Demolition crews blasted chunks of ice near a large ice jam in the Missouri River March 25, 2009, in an effort to open a channel so that water can be released downstream. Water backing up behind the ice jam has forced the evacuation of about 1,700 people from low-lying areas in North Dakota's capital.

(Coast Guard video/Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson)

FARGO, N.D. – A U.S. Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin helicopter lowers a rescue swimmer into the Red River flood waters here during a search and rescue March 26, 2009. Rising flood waters surrounded the home, leaving residents stranded.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell)

Coast Guard in Iowa? Really?

With the deployment of Auxilarists near the Red River we have received a lot of inquires about the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Most of them center on the fact that most people do not know that their is, in fact, a Coast Guard presence in Central Iowa.

First, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and law enforcement actions.

We conduct safety patrols on local lakes and waterways, assist the Coast Guard with homeland security duties, teach boating safety classes, conduct free vessel safety checks for the public, as well as many other activities (including augmenting them during emergencies like the flooding up on the Red River).

Many Auxilarists choose to receive training from the Coast Guard and other agencies to be qualified to respond to an emergency similar to your local fire department. Our mission is different, but our volunteer lifesavers go through hours of classroom training and field experience before they are able to go out and help during an emergency. These professional volunteers have skills and capabilities from as simple as answering phones at a desk to relaying information from a Coast Guard helicopter back to a command post miles and miles away.

Even though the active duty Coast Guard facilities are located on the Mississippi River and Missouri River, we Auxilarists have a vital mission here in Central Iowa. We are here to help further the Coast Guard safety missions to promote safe boating. Whether it is teaching a class, doing a free vessel safety check for your boat, or patroling the lakes and waterways to ensure your safety we are furthering this mission. By doing this it allows the active duty Coast Guard to focus their energies on missions elsewhere.

So yes, there is a Coast Guard presence in Central Iowa and we are your Iowa Volunteer Lifesavers!

Coast Guard Red River Flood Rescues Reaches 93

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

FARGO, N.D. -- As of March 29, 2009, Coast Guard crews have rescued 93 people since the commencement of flood response operations along the Red River on March 25. Today, Coast Guard air boats crews are conducting welfare checks of residents in areas isolated by the flood waters to confirm they are not in need of assistance. Those who do need help are being evacuated to safe, designated locations. In addition to the 93 people, 14 dogs, 14 cats and various other pets have been rescued.

"In this response, our primary mission is to save and protect the lives of those affected by the flooding," said Capt. Steve Hudson, commander of Sector Upper Mississippi River. "The Coast Guard will keep personnel and equipment in the area as long as necessary. But this is not a one-agency operation. We are part of a very skilled and highly-motivated team led by the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, including FEMA, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and numerous other agencies and volunteers."

The breakdown of Coast Guard assets is as follows:
5 helicopters on scene with 8 air crews
4 Disaster Response Teams (DART) onscene, 4 on standby
7 Airboats
2 Coast Guard Auxiliary communications trailer
106 Coast Guard personnel
For the latest Coast Guard news and imagery regarding the Red River floods, please visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36783873@N03/
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/
http://www.uscgstormwatch.com/go/site/1769

FARGO, N.D. -- An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich., flies over the Red River March 28, 2009, in response to the flooding. Another Dolphin helicopter from Air Station New Orleans, accompanied them during the transit from Grand Forks to Fargo to stand by for rescue operations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson)

FARGO, N.D. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Wheeler, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, radios the Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter, from Air Station Traverse City, Mich., to pick up a stranded local man during a search and rescue mission here Thursday, March 26, 2009. The man was later hoisted into the helicopter and transported to safety. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell)

Flotilla 4 Deployed Auxilarists Report Progress

After another long day of operation our deployed team has reported back as bad weather is expected over the next 24 hours.

Trevor Henderson spent today working alongside the Coast Guard in the North Dakota State EOC. It was another busy day full of operations and coordination. He has been excited to be able to work with the ground assets and air assets of the Coast Guard. He is very impressed by the helicopters and their crews as well as the air boats.

Jeff Towle served at the Minnesota State EOC in St. Paul, MN. He indicated that it was a busy day at his location. He said that concerns centered around ice jams on the river and the incoming winter weather.

Nick Critelli was as the EOC in Moorehead, MN and Fargo, ND and was able to be close to the activity. He said it was a busy day there as well. He met up with Robert Smekta who is the 8th Western Rivers District Chief of Staff. Robert is an Auxilarist who has been stationed at the Fargo EOC. Nick said that the air and surface operations have been very impressive.

All three Flotilla 4 Auxilarists will report back for duty at their respective EOC's Monday morning.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Wheeler, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, radios to a Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter during a search and rescue case in Oxbow N.D., March 26, 2009. A Coast Guard air boat passes behind him.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo / Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell )

A U.S. Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter hoists a stranded local man to safety during a search and rescue mission in Oxbow N.D., March 26, 2009. The man had been stranded near his home due to the Red River flood waters.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo / Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell )

Coast Guard establishes safety zone on the Red River

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

FARGO, N.D. -- The Coast Guard has established a safety zone on the Red River from Wahpeton to Pembina beginning Sunday, March 29, 2009.

All vessel traffic including canoes are restricted from transitting the Red River except for search and rescue and law enforcement vessels due to safety concerns and flooding. This order was placed in effect at 4:30 p.m. today by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

Auxilarists Spent Day Working With Coast Guard

As today winds down our deployed Auxilarists have reported back on their experience.

Trevor Henderson spent today working alongside the Coast Guard in Bismarck, ND. It was a busy day and he was glad to be of service to help with flood relief operation.

Jeff Towle served at the Minnesota State EOC in St. Paul, MN. He said it was a busy day and was he learning how the operation there worked. He is looking forward to an early day tomorrow to be back at it.

Nick Critelli was as the EOC in Moorehead, MN and was able to be close to the activity. He said it was a busy day there as well.

Auxilarist Trevor Henderson works at the EOC in Bismarck

(Photo Courtesy of Trevor Henderson)

Auxilarist Nick Critelli works at the EOC in Moorehead, MN

(Photo Courtesy of Nick Critelli)

Coast Guard continues rescue operations in North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. -- Coast Guard crews rescued 3 adults and one dog today, March 28. This brings a total of 85 people, 14 dogs, 14 cats and 3 birds rescued from the flood waters in 4 days of operations along the Red River.
"In this response, our primary mission is to save and protect the lives of those affected by the flooding," said Capt. Steve Hudson, commander of Sector Upper Mississippi River. "The Coast Guard will keep personnel and equipment in the area as long as necessary. But this is not a one-agency operation. We are part of a very skilled and highly-motivated team led by the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, and including FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and numerous other agencies and volunteers."
The breakdown of Coast Guard assests is as follows:
3 helicopter crews on scene, 2 additional helicopetrs enroute
2 HC-130 airplane on scene
3 Disaster Response Teams (DART) onscene, 1 enroute, 3 on standby
7 Airboats on scene
2 Coast Guard Auxiliary communications trailer onscene
107 Coast Guard personnel
For the latest Coast Guard news and imagery regarding the Red River floods, please visit:
http://www.uscgstormwatch.com/go/site/1769

Division 11 Mission Blog

Division 11 in Minnesota has a blog up regarding their flooding response at http://missions.8wrdiv11.org/

Central Iowa Coast Guard Auxiliary Members Deployed For Flood Relief

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Flotilla 085-33-04
Public Affairs

PRESS RELEASE

Date: March 28, 2009
Contact: Doug Jansen
Public Affairs Officer
515-291-9625
djansen@flotilla4.org
http://www.flotilla4.org

Central Iowa Coast Guard Auxiliary Members Deployed For Flood Relief

Des Moines, Iowa - Three local members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have been deployed by the Coast Guard to North Dakota and Minnesota to augment the efforts of the Coast Guard. Auxilarist Trevor Henderson, of Omaha, has been deployed to Bismarck, North Dakota to help represent the Coast Guard at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Jeff Towle and Nick Critelli, both of Des Moines, have been deployed to EOCs in Minnesota to perform liaison functions on behalf of the Coast Guard.

These Auxilarists were deployed by Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi because of their experience with representing the Coast Guard to help liaison with other agencies during flooding. These Auxilarists performed similar duties during the Iowa Floods of 2008.

The Coast Guard has played a role in the rescue efforts due to the Red River flooding. For more information on the Coast Guard operations please visit http://www.uscgfloodwatch.com/go/site/1769.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

Henderson, Towle, and Critelli are members of Flotilla 085-33-04 based in Des Moines, Iowa. When these Auxilarists are not providing support during flooding they are active in the boating safety missions of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. For more information about Flotilla 085-33-04 and its activities visit http://www.flotilla4.org.

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Coast Guard 3-day rescue total reaches 82

From the United States Coast Guard:

FARGO, N.D. -- On the third day of rescue operations, Friday, March 27, 2009, Coast Guard rescue airboat crews rescued 10 people from rising flood waters, for a three-day total of 82 people rescued. In addition to the people rescued, the Coast Guard crews have also rescued approximately 13 dogs, 14 cats and 2 bird.

Video of Friday, March 27, 2009 rescues can be found at the following links:



http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=506925

Photographs of pet rescues can be found at the following link:


http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=505569


http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=504429

Currently, there are four air boat crews from Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., St. Claire Shores, Mich., Marblehead, Ohio, and Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Two Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) from St. Paul, Minn., and St. Louis are on scene with two additional DART teams from Cincinnati, and Huntington, W.V., enroute to the region this weekend. Three additional rescue helicopters and three more airboat teams are also enroute.

For the latest Coast Guard news and imagery of the Red River floods, visit:

http://www.uscgstormwatch.com/go/site/1769/

Flotilla 4 Members Deploying For Flood Response

Today orders were issued for three members of Flotilla 4 to deploy to North Dakota and Minnesota to help augment the Coast Guard at Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). Trevor Henderson is deploying to North Dakota. Jeff Towle and Nick Critelli are deploying to Minnesota.

They will help augment Coast Guard personnel who will liaison with local and state officials to help with the response to the flooding in these areas. These individuals were called upon because of their experience in helping to provide a similar function during the Iowa Floods of 2008.