Editor’s note: This story sat on SITREP’s “shelf” for quite awhile.  It surfaced while doing some computer housekeeping.  Although the dateline is rather old, the story is still quite interesting and highlights the many varied activities afforded members of our organization.

Flying Dogs Trained Aboard Auxiliary Aircraft

By LCDR Michael A. Baroody, USCG
Commanding Officer, MSST 91105, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, CA 94501-5100

More Pictures

 

Mayor Obendorf and Flotilla Commander Mike Eberhardt
Auxiliarist Tucknott and his Passengers

On August 4, 2005 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Aircraft Commander, Robert A. Tucknott, took two Coast Guard Canine Detection Teams (CDT) aboard his single-engine Cessna 182 airplane for a familiarization flight.  The training flight is to get the dogs used to boarding, unboarding and flying in a small aircraft.

Often times the Coast Guard is called out to remote locations where the dogs are needed to detect substances they have been trained to recognize. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Division has a fleet of 15 aircraft available as operational facilities that can be ready on an hours notice to transport the CDT’s to areas throughout Northern California where they are needed.

The dogs and their handlers are currently assigned to Maritime Safety & Security Team San Francisco and were trained at the Customs and Border Patrol Canine Division on the East Coast.

The dogs took right to the airplane, readily jumping in and settling down.  The Auxiliarist Pilot Tucknott, following takeoff, made two or three touch and go landings and a short flight around the pattern.  This routine was to familiarize the dogs with flying in light aircraft and making sure they have that ability to settle down and enjoy the flight to their destination.

Robert A. Tucknott, the pilot, has been a private pilot for 32 years and flies out of the Hayward Airport in his Cessna Skylane 182 that has a 310-horsepower engine and will cruise at 175 miles per hour.  Tucknott flies for the Coast Guard Auxiliary as well as the Alameda County Sheriff’s Air Squadron providing similar services in safety patrols and law enforcement.

Mr. Tucknott started the Wing of Angel Flight Northern California approximately 10 years ago and is a frequent flyer with this organization which provides free medical flights to needy people throughout Northern California and the United States.  All of these flights are provided at no-charge to the patient or any healthcare provider.  The pilots pay for all the costs.

Further information on public benefit flying can be obtained by visiting the Coast Guard Auxiliary website www.cgaux.org or Angel Flight West website www.angelflight.org.

 

DW