Oh! That’s how it is done! (left to right) Fred Milbradt, Kari Kirkpatrick Flotilla 66 – newest member – planning to join USCG after college & Danny Dail DCP 6.

Recently, twelve Auxiliarists, three USCG active duty personnel, and three District 13 Qualification Examiners (QEs) met to at Hagg Lake, Gaston, Oregon, complete crew and coxswain recertification and to train and examine candidates for crew or coxswain status. Auxiliary participants were from Flotilla 66. McMinnville, Ore. and Flotilla 68, Salem, Ore. The Coast Guardsmen are attached to USCG Station Portland, Ore.

After the initial sign-in the attendees were asked to list their training needs. They were then assigned to work for two hours with one of the four vessel facilities present. The facilities available were the 25-foot patrol vessel from USCG Station Portland, a 19-foot jet boat belonging to Lee Williams, Flotilla Commander 66. “Doc” R.A. Regier (Flotilla 68) had his 18-foot I/O present and Dean Wimer, Operations Officer of Flotilla 66 had his 19 foot jet powered vessel present.

Station Portland personnel with facility immediately after launch.

After two hours trainees and some crewmen were rotated to different facilities to work with different coxswains or with the active duty Coast Guardsmen. After a late potluck lunch everyone was rotated again so that everyone had an opportunity to work with the active duty personnel on their facility.

Everyone who participated gave good marks to the training and especially the active duty personnel. They were especially helpful with one of the very new members. They helped train her on several on water crew tasks.

In remarks at the end of the day, Vice Captain Wimer said, “We want to thank Senior Chief Smith for providing the personnel and vessel for our training event. Thanks to Bob Mell who helped coordinate between the Auxiliary and Senior Chief Smith. Thanks to all the station personnel who helped support the mission in any way!”

Ready to shove off! (Left to right) Auxiliarist John Yaskovic, VFC 66 and Sheila Langue, SO-MA 6. (Photo taken prior to departure.)