Tomlinson Earns AUXOP Qualification

CWO Leavell (left) Presents Ralph Tomlinson with his AUXOP Device During the Division 33 Change of Watch

The AUXOP, or Operational Auxiliarist, program is an advanced training program available only to members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. An AUXOP member has completed six advanced specialty courses and is entitled to wear the special AUXOP device on the uniform. Those courses are Seamanship, Navigation, Patrols, Communications, Weather, and Search & Rescue.

The Director of Auxiliary controls the examinations for the AUXOP Specialties. All of the examinations are closed-book.

For the past few months several members of Flotilla 4 have been working hard to complete all of these courses. Ralph Tomlinson is the first member of Flotilla 4 to earn this prestigious award. Congratulations to Ralph. Hopefully more members of our Flotilla can accomplish this as well.

AUXOP Device

January 2009 Above Board

The January 2009 Flotilla 4 Newsletter, Above Board, is now available at http://www.flotilla4.org/newsletter/AboveBoardJanuary2009.pdf

Flotilla 4 Makes Strides in 2008

In 2008 many things happened in Flotilla 4. Here is how the Flotilla stacked up against the other 77 Flotilla’s in the entire 8WR DISTRICT with regard to just a few things:

AUXOP Test Completions:
(District) / (Flotilla 4 )/ (% of total)
AUXCOM 12/ 10/ 83%
AUXNAV A 1/ 1/ 100%
AUXPAT 13/ 9/ 69%
AUXSAR 6/ 7/ 117%
AUXSEA 3/ 1/ 33%
AUXWEA 3/ 3/ 100%

Two exams that help lead to the Trident are the Good Mate and IMSEP.
Here’s how you did against the DISTRICT:
GOOD MATE 26/ 9/ 35%
IMSEP 16/ 4/ 25%

Likewise on specific competencies:
APC 35/ 14/ 40%
AIROBS 5/ 2/ 40%
PILOT 3/ 1/ 33%

(Statistics are based on Flotilla 4 completions versus the statistics in the Quarterly Report from the OTO)

This was due to the help from Division 33, particularly the Pauline Longnecker and Frank Reiss from Division who helped facilitate our testing.

Despite the Weather, Boating is on the Brain

With -20 degree wind chill factors, Flotilla 4 members decided to do a little dry dock work during the December Training Weekend. Sunday was the tear down day in the Auxiliary facility project.

The crew got together and pulled this soon to be facility apart. The Radar came off, radios, cables, stereo, and trim pieces littered the floor of the shop. Wiring was checked, and in the end we now have a blank canvas from which to build an optimized Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol Vessel. Stay tuned as this build project takes on a life of its own.

December 2008 Above Board

The December 2008 Flotilla 4 Newsletter, Above Board, is now available at http://www.flotilla4.org/newsletter/AboveBoardDecember2008.pdf

November 2008 Above Board

The November 2008 Flotilla 4 Newsletter, Above Board, is now available at http://www.flotilla4.org/newsletter/AboveBoardNovember2008.pdf

Flotilla 4 Members Complete AUXSAR Course

Seven members of Flotilla 4; Nick Critelli, Gene Kellogg, Norma Newton, Roland Newton, Ralph Tomlinson, Suzanne Tomlinson, and Jeff Towle completed the AUXSAR Course. The training is designed to present a thorough understanding of the policy, organization, and procedures involved in the search and rescue process as generally practiced by the U. S. Coast Guard. Congratulations to those who completed the training!