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Volume 114, Issue 2
Coast Guard Command Visits Auxiliary Watchstanders
By John Burns, Flotilla 08-02 Cape May, NJ (5NR)
[email protected]
As events unfolded, there were two commissionings of the NEW 154’ Fast Response Cutters (FRC) at USCG Training
Center Cape May (TRACEN) over the past few months. These were the ROLLIN FRITCH and the LAWRENCE
LARSON. There are a number of qualified Auxiliarist Watchstanders on the 87’ Cutters that are berthed in Cape May, New
Jersey. Other Auxiliarists are still in training but all, in training and qualified, are quite active on the Cutters IBIS and MAKO
under the Command of Senior Chiefs Brennan and Brown respectfully. These Auxiliarists also look forward to getting
qualified on the 154’s.
The first commissioning was for the FRC ROLLIN FRITCH which was held on November 19, 2016. It was a near perfect
day weather wise for November in Cape May and a large crowd witnessed this wonderful event. Former Vice-Commandant
of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara, who at one point in her career was the CO of TRACEN, has over the
years been a remarkably supportive friend of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. VADM Brice-O’Hara is now retired but she is still
quite active with the Coast Guard, as well as serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Coast Guard
Foundation Board; she was present and in attendance at the commissioning. Senior Chief Brown was so kind as to allow an
Auxiliarist to serve as Officer of the Deck (OOD) that morning on the MAKO. Following the ceremony Vice Admiral Sally
Brice-O’Hara visited the MAKO and was accompanied by Rear Admiral Meredith Austin who is the Commander of the
Fifth Coast Guard District. What an honor it was for the Coast Guard Auxiliary to have an Auxiliarist welcome them aboard
as the OOD of the MAKO on that special day.
The commissioning of the LAWRENCE LAWSON was held on March 18, 2017. On that day an Auxiliarist also was serving
as OOD on the Cutter MAKO and Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara was once again present....and invited Admiral Charles
D. Michel, the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard to visit the MAKO. On board were Auxiliarists Joseph Giannattasio,
Michael Hamilton, Chuck Devlin, Robert Lamendola, and John Burns. Bob Lamendola is the Ombudsman for the MAKO;
John Burns is the Auxiliary Unit Coordinator (AUC) for the Cape May based Cutters.
It should also be noted that on March 16 th , RADM Meredith Austin held an all-hands meeting aboard the Cutter MAKO.
The Auxiliary Unit Coordinator (AUC) for the Cape May based Cutters was invited by Senior Chief Brown to attend. In turn
the AUC inquired if the other Auxiliary Watchstanders and trainees could attend. The Admiral replied that all would be
welcome. Subsequently, on the morning of 16MAR at 1000 hours, Auxiliarists Joe Giannattasio, Jim McClellan, Michael
Hamilton, Chuck Devlin, Don Dobson, Robert Lamendola and John Burns met on the Bridge of the MAKO with RADM
Austin, CAPT Benjamin Cooper of Sector Delaware Bay, their Aides, the OIC of the MAKO and the crew. Of interest is
that senior crew members were attending various schools and Auxiliary personnel actually outnumbered regular crew.
Admiral Austin spoke and was inclusive of the Auxiliary members present. She was open, gave much information and
entertained all questions. This meeting gave total credibility to the fact that Team Coast Guard is a reality for Auxiliarists.
(left to right) MKC Matthew Ladnier, RADM Meredith Austin
USCG, Auxiliarist John Burns, VADM Sally Brice-O’Hara
USCG (Ret.), Auxiliarist Joseph Giannattasio, BMCS Eric
Brown USCG onboard USCGC MAKO.
Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by James Consor.