9/11 attacks, and immediately prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom, in March of 2003.
Currently, the Lady B is a fixture in the approaches to New York Harbor, as a stable
resource for Operation Clear Channel, the Op Order which warrantees the unimpeded travel of shipping to and from our port’s facilities.
As an instrument of Division 14’s member training
endeavors, the Lady B, with Stew Sutherland in command, is incomparable.
During this period, Division 14’s operational capabilities greatly expanded via the addition of a second Auxiliary cutter, also within Flotilla 14-01, the restored 75-ton tugboat Long Splice. Owned and commanded by coxswain Alan Yuen, this venerable facility also extended our
yearly operational season to a full 12 months, and increased our range beyond the normal small boat area of responsibility.
The flexibility afforded by having both Auxiliary cutters in operation simultaneously was profoundly evinced during the District’s Operation Mariah Category 3 Hurricane Recovery Drill in 2006. Long Splice served as a floating communications relay station expanding our radio reach around the hilly terrain of Staten Island during criticalstages of the drill.
Having completed 80 percent of the tasks assigned by the drill team’s Incident Commander, while operating in real adverse weather conditions, the Operation Mariah participants were awarded the first of many Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations that would be given over the following years.
Division 14’s direct operational support to the Coast Guard was not limited to sizeable fleet operations. The Division’s personnel, recognizing that we are the home Auxiliary Division to both Sector and Station New York, have become regulars during the New York Marathon Security Missions in Fort Wadsworth and have been duly recognized for their services.
Also, in 2010 and 2011, we
headed up a program that was
originally designed by Flotilla 14-06 in conjunction with Station, New York, called the
WQSB (Watch Quarter Station
Bill). This plan assigned
Division 14 members and
personnel from five additional
divisions to train for and perform specific shoreside tasks at Station New York during Coast Guard surge operations. They were in effect a trained and ready reserve who would report for duty when activated by Station New York Command, at posts specified in advance.
The plan was successfully implemented in 2010 and 2011, during Coast Guard Port Security Operations during those years’ UN General Assembly Meetings. Once again, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations were awarded to Division 14.
Celebrating Fifty Years of Service
37
Division 14 members at the New York Boat Show
USCG Auxiliary photo