P a ge 19 t opside V olume 114 , I s s u e 4
Operation : SURFAIR , continued
When within broadcast range at 1035 , radio communication was established between the Auxiliary facilities and the surface vessel came to a stop and relayed their Lat ./ Long . coordinates . The Air Crew entered the Lat / Long points into their navigation units and determined an intercept vector . Within two minutes the Auxiliary aviators had a visual on the Auxiliary vessel and adjusted their course in preparation to fly a “ turn around a point ,” a maneuver where the aircraft is flown in a complete circle of uniform distance from the boat .
The Auxiliary aircraft made two more passes over the surface facility before they both departed the area and continued on their respective MOM patrols ; their crews enjoying the feeling of effective team coordination as a result of excellent training , proper planning , and professional members .
During Operation SURFAIR , Coast Guard Auxiliary air and surface crews realized their true operational abilities , and they also learned where they needed to improve their skills for real SAR cases . This mission provided a uniquely realistic and practical training opportunity for operational Auxiliarists to be Semper Paratus . Besides increasing SAR proficiency , an additional benefit of Operation SURFAIR was the cross-training , cooperation , and camaraderie between Auxiliary boat crews and aviators from different Divisions .
Top left : An Auxiliary vessel in Barnegat Bay is spotted from the Auxiliary aircraft .
Top right : Howard Davis piloting an Auxiliary aircraft .
Bottom : Flight crew member Joseph Giannattasio , left , and pilot Howard Davis .
Photos taken by Joseph Giannattasio / USCG Auxiliary