Auxiliarist Falk Kantor of Flotilla 7-10 keeps an eye on a sailing vessel as it heads away from a temporary security zone on the Potomac River.

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” On January 20, 2005 in Washington, D.C., President George W. Bush, spoke these words and took the oath of office, beginning his second term.

While 42 other Presidents have taken the same oath in years past, this was the first inaugural since the attack on the United States in 2001. Thanks to the efforts of many people, including a contingent of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarists, it was a safe and secure event.

Early on, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Inauguration was designated as a “National Special Security Event.” The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) then assumed the role as the lead federal agency, designing, implementing and coordinating an operational security plan. Employing existing partnerships with federal, state and local agencies, the goal of the operation was to provide a safe and secure environment for the event and those in attendance.

Described as “unprecedented,” the USSS oversaw efforts that resulted in “the tightest security in the history of the United States; utilizing a large contingent of law enforcement from around the country; and, every technology available,” according to published reports.

Coast Guard Auxiliarist Terrie Verna of Flotilla 29 at the helm with Auxiliarists Pete Delaney of Flotilla 14-04 (l) and Falk Kantor of Flotilla 7-10 (r).

The Coast Guard established a temporary security zone in the National Capital Region, barring all non-government vessels from entering the zone, which included Washington, DC and parts of Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established a temporary “no-fly zone” in the same vicinity.

Special Coast Guard K-9 teams performed sweeps of commercial vessels and their passengers in the area. Overall, nearly 7,000 law enforcement officers helped secure the Capital region.

When the request for Auxiliary assistance, in support of Coast Guard Station Washington (STAWASHDC), D.C. was made, Barbara Allen, Division Captain of Division 2, D5-SR, which covers the Nation’s Capital, and parts of Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland, began making plans.

Barbara and husband, Ken Allen (Division 2’s Operations Officer), coordinated with STAWASHDC to determine their needs and for making use of the Coast Guard-owned, Auxiliary-operated, 27-foot Boston Whaler (UTL-T).

They then worked with Divisions 7, 8, 11, and 15 (Maryland), and Division 14 (Northern Virginia), to supplement Division 2’s resources, in order to provide the number of boats; crews; and watchstanders needed to cover an operational surge period that lasted nine days. During the surge period, numerous pre and post-Inauguration Day events took place in Washington.

Auxiliarist Falk Kantor of Flotilla 7-10 finishes clearing two inches of snow.

For the Auxiliarists who participated in the surge operations, preparation began well in advance. Active-duty Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Activities Baltimore, MD, conducted special training courses for them in selected topics, so they would be better prepared for the operation.

Once the temporary security zone was put into place, the Auxiliary went into action.

Auxiliary watchstanders from Divisions 2, 11 and 15 augmented STAWASHDC by providing 24-40 man-hours per day, freeing additional active-duty and reserve personnel to staff the Station’s boats.

Auxiliarists, from Divisions 2, 7, 14 and 15, staffed the UTL-T and other Auxiliary boats, completing 21 patrols and contributing a total of 132 patrol hours in support of the operation, freeing two active-duty boats and crews to be deployed where their presence was most needed.

Donning dry suits, gloves and hats; and braving frigid temperatures, with winds of 15-20 knots and wind-chills of zero-degrees the Auxiliary boat crews worked with their STAWASHDC active-duty counterparts; components of two specially-deployed Marine Safety and Security Teams (MSST); and the Coast Guard Cutter Beluga (WPB-87325), to patrol the Nation’s Capital, on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.

One snow storm left two inches on the ground and reduced visibility to one-quarter of a mile. The first storm was followed by a much more potent snow storm a few days later. The crews endured the cold and fought the freezing water spray and ice which quickly formed on the decks and gunwales of the boats. In spite of the foul weather the crews performed their missions without incident.

Coast Guard Auxiliary members Pete Delaney of Flotilla 14-04 (l) and Falk Kantor of Flotilla 7-10 (r) keep a sharp lookout.

The boat crews also worked in conjunction with Coast Guard and DHS helicopters patrolling the skies overhead. Coast Guard boarding teams went into action, when necessary.

Reflecting on the success of the operation, LT. Frank Del Rosso, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Washington, DC, estimated that if he hadn’t been able to call on the Auxiliary he would have needed an additional 4 or 5 active duty watchstanders and two additional boats and crews. He was grateful for the local knowledge that Auxiliary watchstanders and boat crews brought to the operation. This knowledge helped guide Coast Guard personnel new to, or temporarily deployed, to the area.

In summarizing the contributions of the Auxiliary to the operation, Del Rosso said, “We couldn’t have done it without the Auxiliary support. Their support enabled me to put my people where their firepower needed to be.”

Just as it began its augmentation for this event, Division 2 received word that Auxiliary assistance would also be needed to support STAWASHDC prior to, and during, the President’s State of the Union Address.

While handling prolonged, nearly back-to-back surge operations might be taxing for some, Division 2 and its dedicated Auxiliarists, as well as those in the surrounding Divisions, have received a lot of practice during the past year. It’s now a routine matter.