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