Monday, February 4, 2013

FLOTILLA CHANGE OF WATCH HIGHLIGHTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS


1.    On 01FEB13 we had our Flotilla COW at Captain Bill’s Restaurant in Bay Shore NY which was enjoyed by all. Special Guest included DCAP David Porter who led us for the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.  DCDR Joe Heslin and his wife Joann.  Joe gave us the honor of officiating for the Oath of Officers and Swearing in of FC Ron Kaplan and VFC Frank Hippel followed by his remarks on the outstanding accomplishment of 12/07 this past year. 

FC Ron Kaplan remarks included the collective achievements of IPFC Al Cofone under his leadership.  Ron talked about the focus this year will be a drive for individual growth in qualifications and proficiency and to affirmatively engage members, one on one, in developing a sense of what it is that they’d actually want to do. Ron also discussed the many opportunities available to all members. This year we plan on doing collective training with the surface vessels, training sessions with the Coast Guard at ASCC and many other exciting, rewarding and informative programs to assist the auxiliary member in finding their personal growth within the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Ron thanked all of the FSO’s for doing their best last year and asked for their continue support for both Frank and Ron. Ron also mentioned that although the focus of the COW (Change of Watch) is mainly the Oath of Officers and Swearing in of FC, VFC and FSO’s it’s also a COW (Celebration of Work) by all.


 Jan2013 Events and Training

    1. 09JAN13 – A LIS Patrol located and identified an oil spill near Charles Island off of Bridgeport.  Sec LIS was contacted and a photo was taken and sent off to Sec LIS. Thereafter Sec LIS contact PIC and asked him to return to the scene to take another photo to see if the oil sheen has either dissipated or moved.

2.    Feb2013 Completed and Upcoming Events

    1. On 01FEB13, I attended a Safety meeting at ASCC with DSO-AV Steve Trupkin and DFSO Greg Keshishian with ASCC staff.
    1. On 10FEB13 a group of four teams and facilities will be participating in a B-2 aviation exercise at ASCC. This exercise with an ASCC instructor for each team will evaluate how we (air) prepare for and execute a SAR mission. The schedule for the day will start with a short pre-flight briefing followed by a practice SAR flight mission and thereafter by a debriefing after the mission.
    1. On 15FEB13 there is a scheduled meeting at ASCC to discuss the new technology which will include the ipad in the cockpit and associated programs available to determine how this will benefit all.  Ron Kaplan as ADSO-AVT with a select group plan on attending.
    1. On 22FEB13, There is a scheduled Fort Wadsworth Tour. The tour is limited to 15 Auxiliary members. Please contact Fred Simmons for further details @ fredinn@optonline.net or 973-768-2932.
    1. Observer Training - Peter Stauffer, ADSO-AV-MA, has put together a program that all new Observers and Observers that need a refresher course to get back on track. This is the year that we obtain 100% readiness and this course is a must to obtain that goal.  All PIC should have the Observer knowledge base also and this course is open to all PIC who need a refresher. This course will be held every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month starting 17JAN13 – 13MAY13 from 1900-2100 at Mid Island Air Services, Islip Airport, Ronkonkoma NY.  Please contact Peter Stauffer @ 516-446-8281 if you plan on attending so that he can arrange to have ample seating for all."

3.            Mar 2013 Upcoming Events
    1. D-Train – Mystic CT, 15-17 MAR13