USCGAux Pilots

[Blackhawk]

Anyone flown as part of the USCGAux, or know anyone who has?  If so, what were your impressions and experiences like?  What similarities and differences are their operations from CAP beyond the obvious organizational differences?

[Flying Pig]

They are member owned aircraft for starters.......

[Eclipse]

Are you writing a thesis or something?

We've got members from all walks, but this is a CAP-focused board and you're asking a lot of generalized questions about other agencies.

[Blackhawk]

Are you writing a thesis or something?

We've got members from all walks, but this is a CAP-focused board and you're asking a lot of generalized questions about other agencies.

I'm am doing some research, which is CAP focused, but shouldn't exclude discussing other topics as they intersect with CAP.

[Eclipse]

Why?

Thinking of joining?  Writing a paper?  Other?

I think these are fair questions considering the topics you're asking about.

Once could certainly make the case that you are fishing for info not generally available except to, and only as needed, by members.

[Blackhawk]

Why?

Thinking of joining?  Writing a paper?  Other?

I think these are fair questions considering the topics you're asking about.

Once could certainly make the case that you are fishing for info not generally available except to, and only as needed, by members.

I'm an active duty officer doing research in an academic setting.  I have all of the surface information about the topic posted; I am interested in, as stated in the original post: What impressions and experiences folks have had with USCGAux pilots and how they are similar or dissimilar from CAP operations.  That is hardly an OPSEC violation or breach of someone's personal identifying information.  Now, how about we leave the detective work and vetting for the moderator and keep this post running for what it was designed: discussing and sharing information.   

[Eclipse]

Or you could can the 'tude and tell us why you're asking to start with.

In a month, you've asked about the AFA, DHS internal agency interaction, and now CGAUX flying, and always
in vague terms.  About the only thing CAP-related was question about HMRS.

Certainly there's no specific requirement that everything be CAP-focused, we all stray into other areas,
but afterall, this is CAPTalk.

An active duty military officer ought to have a lot more direct access to this kind of information then here.

[MIKE]

In my AOR it seems that the limiting factor is that AUXAIR operates only out of AIRSTA Cape Cod.

[Blackhawk]

Or you could can the 'tude and tell us why you're asking to start with.

In a month, you've asked about the AFA, DHS internal agency interaction, and now CGAUX flying, and always
in vague terms.  About the only thing CAP-related was question about HMRS.

Certainly there's no specific requirement that everything be CAP-focused, we all stray into other areas,
but afterall, this is CAPTalk.

An active duty military officer ought to have a lot more direct access to this kind of information then here.

If you look again at my posts, you will notice that they all have to do with CAP.  My asking about how other organizations interact with CAP does not exclude CAP from being the topic; therefore, it is CAP talk.  Please stop harassing me, and distracting from the original purpose of this post. 

[Blackhawk]

Thanks, Mike.

[RiverAux]

A large part of this thesis discusses Auxiliary aviation issues.  http://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/auxiliary/docs/BarnerMichaelThesis-Final.pdf

While not flying with CG Aux, I am in the Aux and have had some dealings with the aviation program.  In my view it is incredibly different than CAP. 

For one thing, Aux aviation assets are scattered about and it is common for there only to be a few people that fly in any given unit and that activity is mostly going to be a sidelight.  CAP on the other hand, is very focused on flying in just about everything we do (at least for senior members).  In other words, except for a seminar here and there, they aren't regularly interacting with other CG Aux flying folks (probably more interaction along the coast, but for inland you might be the only flier in the entire state).  Frankly, it indicates to me that CAP's all-important safety program may not be adding a whole lot of value if CG Aux can have pretty much as good a safety record without all the CAP hassle. 

For the most part CAP runs its flying program while CG Aux fliers are getting tasked directly by the CG.  We spend a lot of developing talent to manage flight ops.

The biggest difference is that CG Aux flying is almost entirely geared at routine patrols while CAP is primarily geared at either emergency response and/or training for that, and orientation flights for cadets.  So, you can plan out a lot of your CG Aux flying in advance, while its a lot more hit or miss with CAP. 

[PHall]

Or you could can the 'tude and tell us why you're asking to start with.

In a month, you've asked about the AFA, DHS internal agency interaction, and now CGAUX flying, and always
in vague terms.  About the only thing CAP-related was question about HMRS.

Certainly there's no specific requirement that everything be CAP-focused, we all stray into other areas,
but afterall, this is CAPTalk.

An active duty military officer ought to have a lot more direct access to this kind of information then here.

If you look again at my posts, you will notice that they all have to do with CAP.  My asking about how other organizations interact with CAP does not exclude CAP from being the topic; therefore, it is CAP talk.  Please stop harassing me, and distracting from the original purpose of this post.

If you had said in the very beginning what you were doing your experience here on CAPTalk would have been much nicer.
As a matter of fact you probably would have gotten more help then you wanted.

[Blackhawk]

RiverAux, thanks for the post, interesting and enlightening information!

[Blackhawk]

Or you could can the 'tude and tell us why you're asking to start with.

In a month, you've asked about the AFA, DHS internal agency interaction, and now CGAUX flying, and always
in vague terms.  About the only thing CAP-related was question about HMRS.

Certainly there's no specific requirement that everything be CAP-focused, we all stray into other areas,
but afterall, this is CAPTalk.

An active duty military officer ought to have a lot more direct access to this kind of information then here.

If you look again at my posts, you will notice that they all have to do with CAP.  My asking about how other organizations interact with CAP does not exclude CAP from being the topic; therefore, it is CAP talk.  Please stop harassing me, and distracting from the original purpose of this post.

If you had said in the very beginning what you were doing your experience here on CAPTalk would have been much nicer.
As a matter of fact you probably would have gotten more help then you wanted.

My personal information and feelings are irrelevant.  I posted a simple question, which should be have been simple enough to answer, just as Mike & RiverAux did.  I don't see the need for you to jump on Eclipse's wagon after the forum got back on track.  Do you have experiences related to the original question that was posted that you would like to share?

[Blackhawk]

Mike - NPS is a secret treasure trove for obscure theses!  Every student going through there is required to write a thesis, or do a capstone project.  Given their experiences, they often write unique papers that we can only wish more civilian academics would write.

[Eclipse]

My personal information and feelings are irrelevant.  I posted a simple question, which should be have been simple enough to answer, just as Mike & RiverAux did.  I don't see the need for you to jump on Eclipse's wagon after the forum got back on track.  Do you have experiences related to the original question that was posted that you would like to share?

This isn't Google - just because you wander in here doesn't mean anyone is required to provide information, nor are we precluded from
asking why you're asking, especially when you consider the nature and vagaries of the questions.

Being non-anonymous when asking those types of questions wouldn't hurt, either.

[Blackhawk]

My personal information and feelings are irrelevant.  I posted a simple question, which should be have been simple enough to answer, just as Mike & RiverAux did.  I don't see the need for you to jump on Eclipse's wagon after the forum got back on track.  Do you have experiences related to the original question that was posted that you would like to share?

This isn't Google - just because you wander in here doesn't mean anyone is required to provide information, nor are we precluded from
asking why you're asking, especially when you consider the nature and vagaries of the questions.

Being non-anonymous when asking those types of questions wouldn't hurt, either.

The beauty of a forum like this is that you don't have to answer someone's question if you don't want to.  If you don't like someone's question or topic, you can move on to another one.  But, if you are going to reply to a post, you should at least be courteous enough to contribute something relevant and worthwhile to the original question.  Don't get so emotional, it's just a forum. 

So, just to reiterate the original question again:

has anyone flown as part of the USCGAux, or know anyone who has?  If so, what were your impressions and experiences like?  What similarities and differences are their operations from CAP beyond the obvious organizational differences?

[RiverAux]

There is one former Auxiliary member that was an active member of the CG Aux Air program and that occasionally posts here, but you're more likely to hear from him on the military.com CG Aux forum

[SunDog]

Hi HeadHunter,

I have some limited exposure - my Wing flys patrols that overlap with CGAux patrols. They fly 500' agl, in their member-owned aircraft, and are reimbursed for fuel only, I believe.

I understand they have to have CG mandated restraints/shoulder harnesses in their aircraft - four point, maybe? - and incur that cost themselves, which can be substantial.

The CGAux flyers are rolled into the existing support structure manned by the CG AD and Reserve folks. My impression is they have much less "overhead", no additional need for dedicated IC - CG already has that covered. Unlike DOD services, CG  does NOT use Reservist pilots -

Some folks here revel a bit in righteous indignation - if you PM  me, I'll ask around - I may be able to put you in touch with one or two CGAux pilots.

We have a CAP member, also an Aux, who mans radio watch for both grouos on summer weekends - I think he flys Aux only, but is long-time CAP, too.

[PA Guy]

The Aux Air program is quite small.  The CG requires Aux Air crews to take the "spin and puke" training along with water egress training I believe. I've been an Auxie for 7yrs augmenting at a CG Air Sta and have never run across anyone from Aux Air.  I know they were deeply involved in the Deep Water Horizon mission.  They also have some self funded maint. costs that apparently caused some to drop out of the program.

As someone mentioned the CG Aux forum on military.com has a fair amount of posts related to Aux Air if you go far enough back.

[PA Guy]

You might want to check out this link  http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/publications/comdtinst/default.asp  and scroll down to the Aviation Manuals these discuss Aux Air training and reimbursement.  It is all open source.

[Blackhawk]

Thanks all for your input!

[bflynn]

My personal information and feelings are irrelevant.  I posted a simple question, which should be have been simple enough to answer, just as Mike & RiverAux did.  I don't see the need for you to jump on Eclipse's wagon after the forum got back on track.  Do you have experiences related to the original question that was posted that you would like to share?

This isn't Google - just because you wander in here doesn't mean anyone is required to provide information, nor are we precluded from
asking why you're asking, especially when you consider the nature and vagaries of the questions.

Being non-anonymous when asking those types of questions wouldn't hurt, either.

Speaking of canning the 'tude.... 

Mike - I can't offer much in the way of explanation.  I've investigated joining the Aux with the idea of flying for them.  AuxAir is a very seperate group; in the surrounding 50 miles/5-6 flotillas, there was one person identified to me who flew air missions.  My understanding from talking is that missions tend to be more SAR related and tend to be (obviously) focused on boating.  As you're probably aware, the USCG incorpates CG Aux into their direct missions so an AuxAir mission is pretty much whatever a USCG mission would be.  They also consider Aux members to be actual members of the CG.  The missions are more directly tied to USCG operations, including interfacing with CG controllers.  I did note that it takes a longer time to get into a full pilot role in the CG and I would associate that with a higher level of professionalism in their pilots.  That might be wrong.

I think there is something in that model that the Air Force could use to related to CAP better, but the first step would be that the Air Force would have to expand their mission parameters to include the things that we could do.  It's a nice thought, but I believe the Air Force is more directly tied to 1) space, 2) air superiority and 3) cyberspace defense, none of which are areas that CAP can effectively offer much assistance.

[Chaplaindon]

I'm a retired CAP member and a current CGAUX member. Currently I'm in a surface patrol flotilla but prior to moving to my current location (I'm a United Methodist clergy person and as such I move fairly regularly) I was a member of an Air Flotilla at AIRSTA Houston at EFD. In fact I was part of starting one of the first Air Flotillas in the CGAUX back in the 90's. I would be happy to visit with you regarding AUXAIR (in GENERAL)

Please note, however, that there is more than OPSEC involved. All of the AUXAIR program is restricted to security clearance approved Auxies, so there are few specifics I can share. I can share some generalities.

You might want to contact the USCG for clearance first, then contact one of the Air Flotillas. There are two (2) in Houston, alone. With "gold-side" approval, I'm sure you can gleen all the info you desire.

It is a neat program. Also, I can attest to the overall closeness and support of the AUX from the USCG. It is night and day different from the relationship and working relationship between CAP and the USAF. this is reflected in the flying program.

Private message me for more, however, again, please note that I (like all AUXAIR members) I'm constrained by issues of security and classification, which I won't breach.

Shalom.

[Blackhawk]

Thanks all!

[Майор Хаткевич]

Saw a car today. Plate : cg aux 9. Plate cover: I'd rather be flying.

[Chaplaindon]

This reply was emailed to me by a CGAUX aviator in reply to HeadHunter's questions:

"Since I can't post on CAPtalk I figured that I would directly send you a note." 

"Please tell "headhunter6" that the flotilla 081-06-12 website is <http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=081-06-12> there is also a lot of information about the air operations at <http://www.rdept.wow.uscgaux.info./content.php?unit=R-DEPT&category=divisions>.  There is nothing at either site that is sensitive."

"If he wants, he can contact me directly and, within OPSsec limitations, I will be happy to talk to him." 

"However, I have 13 years of experience with the Aux and almost no experience with CAP."

His email addy is tedyson@swbell.net.

[starshippe]

.
. . i flew for the uscgaux for about ten years.

. . i found the training afforded by the cg to the aux was excellent. i ended up using quite a bit of their material for cap training, which they freely loaned from a station in mobile, i believe. they sent me boxes of vhs tapes. (it was a while back....) i would send them back, and they would send more. very good stuff on crm, etc.

. . i flew security for the uscgaux during the olympic sailing event in savannah. short of the week i spent in mobile with cap on deepwater horizon, it was the most rewarding time i have spent in volunteer work. i flew out of air station savannah, and felt like an integral part of the coast guard olympic operations.

. . i did not get any elt missions with the aux. i know that elts were out there, i have found over a hundred working with the cap. many of them were marine epirbs. my first cap save was a wrecked sailboat. basically i don't think they had a good feel for just what their aux air assets were good at. so, i ended up getting calls for air taxi service. then, it became more difficult to get "orders," and when they wanted to know all of my financial information, and i did not want to give it, we agreed that it was time for me to retire from the aux.

. . so, i recommend that if u r joining the aux with sar in mind, a meeting with their local admin to familiarize them with ur capabilities might be time well spent.

good luck,
bill