Australian Auxiliarist Visits Miami

Article and photos by Gene Kahn, PDCAPT, D7, International Affairs Directorate, Miami, FL

COMO Bob Mellor (second from right) and his D7 hosts

This past December, Bob Mellor, the National Training Commodore of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary made a stop in Miami. He was hosted by Auxiliarist Gene Kahn of the Auxiliary’s International Affairs Directorate.

Auxiliarist Kahn coordinated the visit with the Directorate’s José López and Al Verdi, both of whom live in California and are responsible for the Auxiliary’s relationship with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard. COMO Mellor’s visit was arranged under the provisions of the Memorandum of Intent to Cooperate signed between our two organizations some years ago.

COMO Mellor’s goal during his brief stay was to meet with our training officers and learn how and what we teach as Auxiliarists. His intention was to extend their existing programs in Australia with ideas and materials gathered along the way.

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary is a group of over 3,500 members organized in flotillas in the various States of Australia. They have similar responsibilities to the recreational boaters of Australia as our Auxiliary has in the US.

Auxiliarist Kahn arranged a meeting at CG Station Miami Beach, which was attended by the Station Commanding Officer, LT James Corbett. Also in attendance were Ensign Stacie Lemon, Auxiliary Liaison Officer for Sector Miami, CWO Steve Hanson, Operational Training Officer (OTO) for the 7th CG District. Representing the Auxiliary were James Shea and Joel Aberbach, both instructors who have had extensive experience in teaching the courses and programs in which we participate.

Briefing Before Boarding the 31 footer

COMO Mellor reviewed areas of training where he felt a need for attention and usefulness to the Australian programs. The meeting participants gave him full descriptions of several of our programs as the Commodore requested. A few of the programs highlighted were the Personnel Security Investigation process (PSI), new member processes, and the extensive use of Incident Command Systems (ICS), and Team Coordination Training (TCT) in our operations.

COMO Mellor was particularly interested in the course designed for local Police Departments which trains their members in the use of the search and rescue models we use in conjunction with our active Coast Guard units. Approved manuals and disks of training courses were given to COMO Mellor to review with his National Executive Committee.

After the very constructive meeting, COMO Mellor was taken for a familiarization ride of the Port of Miami in the Station’s new 33’ patrol boat.

All participants felt that we had made a good friend with this group, and established a line of communication with COMO Mellor that can only help them and us in the future. One of the Directorate’s missions is to assist similar units of this type, wherever they are located in the world.

~HRW