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Sunday, November 20, 2005 10:39 AM
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News Release
| Auxiliarist provides A Helping Hand |
Date:
Contact: Aux. Wayne Spivak |
Some Coast Guard Auxiliarists traveled quite a distance to volunteer to help in relief efforts for hurricane Katrina. But Tom Hayden, of St. Marys, GA,, who is a member Flotilla 14-1, Division 14, District 7, flew to the Marine Safety Office in Houston-Galveston only to find himself in the middle of Hurricane Rita.
Auxiliarist Hayden, while living in St. Marys does volunteer work with Sector Jacksonville in the MSO Contingency Planning Section.
The retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel learned that MSO Houston-Galveston had sent a number of their personnel to New Orleans. He then contacted MSO Houston-Galveston and asked if they could use a helping hand. Captain Rich Kaser, USCG, CO MSO Houston-Galveston, told him that there were only small staff jobs but he was welcome if he was willing to come all that way. He quickly bought his ticket and flew to Houston, TX, on 13 September.
Upon arrival Hayden was first assigned to help in the Planning Section, but after learning of his Crew qualifications and his extensive background in combating terrorism and his courses of instruction in Anti-terrorism Awareness Training that he has provided to active duty Coast Guard units and CGAUX MARSEC 3 training, he was assigned to the Enforcement Section, Boat Operations.
Many boat crew members were still in New Orleans and due to the shortage of qualified personnel; Hayden was assigned to accompany Port Safety, Non-Law Enforcement port operations patrols.
"This was the highlight of my 15 days with MSO Houston-Galveston, working with the great Coast Guard men who had to do water patrols," said Hayden. "Most CGAUX personnel do not get to work as close with the active duty side on the water and see first hand how dedicated and professional these young men really are. I would go to war with any of them because they are as good as the Marines I led in combat."
The Vietnam and Gulf War veteran had much praise for the officers and enlisted at MSO Galveston-Houston. "We did Houston Shipping Channel Patrols until Thursday, 22 September,” said Hayden. As Hurricane Rita began to become a reality, all the CG boats were removed from the water and relocated. A quick flight to Houston aboard a C-130, where Hayden was a member of the Incident Command Center (ICC)at the Omni Hotel, assigned to verify that only Coast Guard and authorized individuals was able to enter the ballroom where the ICC was set-up. The main mission of the ICC was planning for the recovery efforts after Rita passed inland. Hayden saw during his time many local Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel working at both the MSO and the USCG Air Station at Ellington Field.
"I was pleasantly surprised to find that one section was set up at the ICC to account for all active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel," said Hayden. Hayden said: "Next to my career in the Marine Corps the opportunity to serve with the active duty Coast Guard men and women at MSO Houston-Galveston was a highlight of my life. I will never forget them and would be happy to serve with any of them again - any time, any where."
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer's who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its 30,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions. For more information on the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit us at www.cgaux.org. ### |
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