DEEPWATER HORIZON AUXILIARY RESPONSE PROGRAM SECTOR PORTLAND

From: Todd Mains, ASC
Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Subject: DEEPWATER HORIZON AUXILIARY RESPONSE PROGRAM SECTOR PORTLAND

Shipmates,

Many of you have asked me how you can support the Coast Guard’s response to the DEEPWATER HORIZON spill in the Gulf.  Your characteristic willingness to help makes me proud to be an Auxiliarist.  I have taken on the role of Incident Commander for the Sector Portland Auxiliary response.  Attached you will find a message from Commander Zamperini, Deputy Commander at Sector Portland.  If you are interested in volunteering, read the message carefully, go to the web site, and answer the questions thoughtfully.

Remember that in a emergent incident, the situation can change abruptly and dramatically.  Be prepared to be flexible.

If you have a question, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

Please distribute this email to all Auxiliarists in Sector Portland.

Very Respectfully,

Todd Mains
Auxiliary Sector Coordinator, Sector Portland
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

From: CDR Michael Zamperini
Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010

Shipmates,

We currently have more than 40 Active Duty and Reserve members deployed to the Gulf from Sector Portland. Once again, as we've done so many times in the past 70+ years, we are counting upon our Auxiliary shipmates to stand shoulder to shoulder with us as we meet the challenge in the Gulf while continuing our ongoing missions and maintaining readiness. In the words of our PACAREA Commander, VADM Manson K. Brown, "...the Coast Guard's response to the Deepwater Horizon incident is the highest operational priority for our Service. We play a lead role in the response because of our authorities and competencies, and because of the high expectations placed on us by the American people Admiral Papp has charged us to take an "all hands on deck" approach to meeting the challenges of this crisis."

Your support carrying out all your authorized Coast Guard missions, from Recreational Boating Safety to direct Augmentation at Sector and your local Coast Guard units, has been critical in the last 60 days and has been a factor as we determine who we can deploy to the Gulf. We're in this unprecedented response for the long haul. To that end are working to develop additional opportunities for Auxiliarists to contribute. We need help locally and there may be opportunities for those willing, able and properly qualified to deploy to the Gulf.

We recognize that Auxiliarists bring unique skills and a great deal of experience beyond your Auxiliary qualifications. We have prepared a survey that focuses on these areas.

Please complete the survey here:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFdOZnRZRjY1V3pHaWIyN3I4NEduZ3c6MQ

Please note that all current direct solicitations for Auxiliarists are listed at the bottom of the survey. If you check these boxes and indicate willingness and ability to deploy we will send your request for approval via DIRAUX, no further action is required. As additional solicitations are received we will add them to the survey.

As we respond to this incident with "all hands on deck" the needs of the service will be constantly in flux. You are valuable members of our team and your willingness to assist is critical. Please remember that actual utilization of any member of our team (active, reserve, civilian, Auxiliary or partners) is subject to the needs of the service and the nation at a given moment. Flexibility, adaptability and managing risk must be our watchwords.

Thank you for your service and devotion to duty,
CDR Michael Zamperini
U.S. Coast Guard
Deputy Sector Commander, Portland, Oregon