AUX Station Omaha Ready for Duty

Auxilarist Roland Newton works on the antennas high on the communications tower at AUX Station Omaha.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by Trevor Henderson)

Every year, prior to the start of surface patrols, Division 33 prepares AUX Station Omaha for duty.

This year, Flotilla 4 members Chuck Brudtkuhl, Roland Newton and Trevor Henderson, along with the Division 33 Vice Commander Frank Reiss, worked to prepare the station for operations.

This required the usual cleanup after winter hibernation for the station. There were equipment issues that required attention so these Auxilarists determined what the problems were and went to work solving them.

Division 33 Staff Officer for Communications, Roland Newton, braved the winds to skillfully scale the communications tower to repair cable and check on the antennas after a brutal winter.

After several hours of cleanup, repairs and setup for the season the station is now ready for duty.

AUX Station Omaha serves as a watchstanding facility for the Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels that conduct safety patrols on the Missouri River near Omaha. A watchstander monitors the operations of Auxiliary vessels and coordinates with Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River in St. Louis. The purpose of this is to monitor for boats in distress and to direct and communicate with Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol boats.