Setting The Watch

Shipmates,

I am honored to serve as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard. When I assumed the duties from Admiral Thad Allen at noon today, it concluded a series of key rotations and marked the setting of a new watch to lead our service.

Serving with me on this watch are Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice Commandant, Master Chief Michael Leavitt, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard and Master Chief Mark Allen, Master Chief Petty Officer of Reserve Forces. Each assumed their duties over the past ten days. They are all very experienced professionals who have been tried and tested in the field. We are also joined by Vice Admiral Robert Parker, Commander, Atlantic Area, Vice Admiral Manson Brown, Commander Pacific Area, Vice Admiral John Currier, Chief-of-Staff and Future Deputy Commandant of Mission Support and Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, Deputy Commandant for Operations. I am proud to serve alongside this exceptionally talented group of leaders.

My watch will be guided by the following vision for our service:

We are defined by our missions, people and heritage. We will selflessly serve our country and perform our duties in a manner that secures the trust and confidence of mariners and citizens alike. We will set a course that steadies the service, honors our profession, strengthens our partnerships and respects our shipmates.

This vision will be achieved by the incoming watch through clear focus on select projects and initiatives currently under way in our service. Instead of creating new tasking, we intend to emphasize vital initiatives, leverage teams that are in place now and move these efforts forward to completion. I will provide more specifics in the coming weeks.

I often use the term Shipmate. You need to know that this is a team of endearment for me that represents a common bond across the entire Coast Guard family and all mission communities. There is no higher compliment in my opinion than being called a Shipmate and no better goal than being a good one.

Admiral Allen will continue his service as the National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill managing the overall federal response. I am glad he accepted this last assignment as it will enable me to focus on the Coast Guard's response, and serving you as Commandant of the Coast Guard. Admiral Allen is a true public servant and visionary, I thank him for his service.

I encourage all Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian, auxiliary, families and retirees to bookmark and initiate RSS feed from the senior leadership web page at WWW.USCG.MIL/SENIORLEADERSHIP. We intend to use this location during our watch to post information and address subjects that are important to our service.

All standing orders remain in effect, set the watch and carry out the routine of the day.

Semper Paratus,

Admiral Bob Papp

A video message from Admiral Papp

Coast Guard Commandant's Change of Command

Guardians,

Later today, I will be relieved as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Robert Papp. It has been an honor to serve as your Commandant for the past four years and I am confident in Admiral Papp's ability to lead the Service during a period of tremendous changes, challenges, and opportunities. The value of the U.S. Coast Guard has never been greater than it is today and it is the men and women of our great Service who truly make it all possible.

After the Change of Command ceremony, I will continue to serve as the National Incident Commander for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for some period of time but I wanted to take this final opportunity to thank you for your tremendous commitment, dedication, and courage over the past four years.

When I became the Commandant in 2006, I issued a number of orders that I thought were necessary to meet the challenges we faced then and set the conditions for future success. With your help we have accomplished a great deal. We transformed our acquisition process, enhanced our marine safety capability and capacity, created a new and more effective support structure for our Reserve Forces, stood up the Force Readiness Command and Deployable Operations Group, created the Maritime Enforcement Rating, and transformed our maintenance and logistics processes. At the same time we met operational challenges in piracy off the Horn of Africa, the tsunami in America Samoa, the earthquake in Haiti, and more recently the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We accomplished all of that without losing focus on our broader mission set. We continued to interdict drugs and made major strides to eliminate the use of self propelled semi-submersibles. We deployed wireless biometric capability to significantly reduce illegal alien migration. At the same time we saved countless lives.

In the last six years, we have also strengthened our relationships within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the completion of the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, we helped mature the Department and build the Nation's homeland security enterprise.

In the process we enhanced our ties to the Department of Defense. We held unprecedented staff talks with the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau. The Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and I cosigned "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" and Naval Operating Concepts. We forged stronger bonds with our interagency partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Department of the Interior. Finally, we strengthened our international ties with our hemispheric partners and through the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum and North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. Together, we raised the visibility of Coast Guard missions to our external stakeholders and our international partners.

The common thread connecting each of these of initiatives and actions, and my overarching goal as Commandant, was for the Coast Guard to become more change-centric - to sense changes in our operational environment and have the courage to make course corrections before problems overwhelm us or we have terms dictated to us externally. To do that we must become more diverse, adapt to new technologies, and embrace social media as well. I believe we have become more change-centric and a learning organization that capitalizes on lessons learned. Nowhere has this been more evident than in our responses to the devastating earthquake in Haiti and in our leading role to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The world has seen the value of the U.S. Coast Guard in action. We protect, defend, and save America's maritime interests wherever they are at stake - that is the legacy you have left for our future Guardians to embrace.

In spite of our operational successes, challenges remain. Our operations are not risk free and we have known the pain at the loss of shipmates from USCGC HEALY, MSST Anchorage, CG 6505, and CG 1705. Our promise to them is to prevent future accidents and insure we create the safest possible environment for our personnel. The Coast Guard will meet future challenges because of our multi-mission nature, bias for action, and the incredible talent and dedication of our people. As we look to the future, I encourage each of you to be insatiably curious, to be life-long learners, to look after your shipmates, and, finally, to seize every chance to apply your leadership skills, talent, and competencies when the opportunity presents itself.

I am incredibly proud of all our active duty members, reservists, civilians and auxiliarists. No matter how fiercely the winds of change swirl around us, our people stabilize the Service. You are America's Maritime Guardians and your country needs you now more than ever. It has been my extraordinary honor to have been your Commandant and I am excited to see where you will take the organization in the future. Fair winds.

Sincerely,

Admiral Thad W. Allen

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)

New Eighth Coast Guard District Command Cadre Discuss Command Philosopy

The new Eighth Coast Guard District Command Cadre have created a video message to all of the members of the Eighth District to discuss their command philosophy:

http://www.d8externalaffairs.com/clients/uscghouston/127785.wmv

The Eighth Coast Guard District Command Cadre, (from left), Master Chief Petty Officer Lloyd Pierce, Eighth District command master chief, Rear Adm. Mary E. Landry, commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District and Capt. James Tunstall, Eighth District chief of staff, discuss the command's philosophy, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

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

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

In Harm's Way: Coast Guard Swimmers

This is a great story about the aircrews and swimmers that go into the worst conditions to rescue people, just like they are doing up along the Red River in North Dakota.

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 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

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/

Captain Hudson Thanks Flotilla 4 For Flood Response

After attending the Iowa National Guard Change of Command, Captain Hudson was able to meet members of Flotilla 4 who helped during the flood response in 2008. He praised them for the good job that they did supporting the Coast Guard mission and hopes they continue to serve their community.