United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District Breeze - USCGAUX ...

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participated in the three-day Stuart Boat Show with
a static display. Division 6 is preparing to teach
abbreviated About Boating Safely and Suddenly in
Command programs at the Miami International Boat
Show, in addition to staffing a booth for five days.
The marine environment is also getting more attention
these days. In the Keys, Auxiliarists have adopted
a section of the main highway to ensure that trash
is picked up four times a year. There is a major
Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 11
thrust underway to train more Assistant Pollution
Investigators, and a creative program to retrieve a
part of lobster trap known as the “funnel” from the
ocean floor (thus reducing the debris) and recycling
them has been initiated. Puerto Rico flotilla members
support the Harbor Safety Committee, along with the
active duty Coast Guard. This committee is dedicated
to the safety, security, mobility, and environmental
protection of the community. Ω
U.S. Navy to St. Croix Auxiliary
By Doug Armstrong, Flolla Vice Commander, 16-1 Chrisansted, U.S. Virgin Islands
ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands—
Three years ago, Doug Armstrong,
a member of Flotilla 16-1
Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands,
met Commander Daniel Kalal,
Commander Station Roosevelt
Roads (U.S. Naval Station in Ceiba,
Puerto Rico, the cornerstone of
the U.S. Navy’s operations in the
Caribbean and the logistical base
for fleet training exercises on the
island of Vieques). Over dinner,
Armstrong talked up the Coast
Guard and the Auxiliary. CDR
Kalal mentioned that as the base
was being decommissioned, they
had assets the Auxiliary might be
interested in, such as a patrol boat.
Armstrong went to Lee Elvins,
Division Commander 16, and
asked him to lead the project from
the division side once they got close
to the delivery date. Armstrong
kept the deal alive by frequently
reminding CDR Kalal of his offer,
scheduling the delivery, assisting
with keeping the process moving
forward at the highest levels, and
most importantly, by having Lee as a representative to
make the ‘behind-the-scenes’ works happen for both
the Navy and the Coast Guard.
Finally, CDR Kalal and his crew arrived in St. Croix
to make the delivery. They were met by Lee Elvins
and his greeting party, and CDR Kalal stayed at
Armstrong’s home for the weekend. Once the boat
reached St. Croix, Elvins was responsible for the paper
work, letters of thanks, and the many hours working
with Sector Borinquen to make this transfer happen
from the Coast Guard to the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
A conversaon three years ago
between en Doug Armstrong, Flolla lla Vice
Commander
ma 16-1 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and CDR Daniel Kalal, Commander, Staon Roosevelt
Roads, U.S. Navy, resulted in the transfer of this 27-foot Boston Whaler from the
Navy to Division 16 Coast Auxiliary via the Coast Guard. Photo provided by Lee Elvins,
Division 16 Commander
It’s actually a great story about how pride and a
professional attitude of representing the Coast
Guard Team can lead to opportunities that were
previously unknown – in this case the U.S. Navy
offering to help. By finding the right resources in
the Auxiliary to guide the process, what started
as a conversation turned into an $80,000 asset
transfer, a great public relations moment, and
recognition for those involved.Ω