NAV EX 3rd QTR. 2017 NavEx 3rd Qtr 2017 - FINAL Draft | Page 8

USCG Aux Photo
USCG Aux Photo
ANSWERING
Service, Support, Leadership:
Hurricane Harvey’s Legacy
Story by Bret Fendt
When the country is faced with a national crisis,
the need for help is constant. In the wake of the
devastation Texas residents faced, Auxiliarists rushed
to help in any way possible. As a force multiplier of the
United States Coast Guard, that help varied based on
need and demand. In the days following this storm,
members from Texas and Louisiana supported Coast
Guard efforts.
Auxiliarists from Flotillas 4-10 and 4-44 in District
8CR offered communications support in the forward
operating air base in southwestern Louisiana.
Six members from Flotilla 75 in Austin, Texas, answered
the call to support relief efforts following hurricane
8
LEFT: Auxiliarist Roberto Ortiz-Diaz assigns tracking numbers to all do
as TCO with Coast Guard pilots and aircrew during search and rescue
Helicopter coordinator for Search and Rescue Air operations. Assigni
identify and locate persons in need of rescue. FOLLOWING PAGE TOP:
RADM Thomas (left) visits USCG Auxiliary communications unit supp
pictured are AUX team members Bernie David, Doran Bullock, and Sta
Harvey. Auxiliarist Nicholas Teague was assigned to
support USCG Air Station Houston with search and
rescue efforts in the Air Station’s Communication
Center. Teague’s Auxiliary qualifications include
Telecommunications Operator and Certified EMT,
making him a valued asset to assist Coast Guard
responses. Teague’s skills resulted in him being
assigned as Telecommunications Watch Stander and
Helicopter Coordinator. This position required him
to oversee the assignment of helicopters to individual
search and rescue cases communicating latitude
and longitude to crews in the field, relaying patients’
status, and providing landing conditions directly with
flight crews. Teague’s role focused on ensuring those
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