On 18 and 19 May, John Cooper, Caribbean Division Chief of the Auxiliary’s International Affairs Directorate, David Elliot, Auxiliary Operations - Response Department Chief and CDR David Allen, DIRAUX D7 met with a group of officers from the Dominican Republic Navy and several of the prospective members of SAND, the Dominican Naval Auxiliary which is now being formed there.

Working to Establish SAND

The US team was in Santo Domingo to conduct a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) in order to assist the Dominicans in setting up their Naval Auxiliary, continuing with a process that began at the Caribbean Search and Rescue (SAR) conference held in San Juan, PR, last July.

The objective was to give the Dominican Navy the benefit of the USCG Auxiliary’s 70 years of experience in operating a volunteer SAR organization – the Dominicans could then modify the methodologies presented so that they meet their particular needs. The Dominican Navy contingent was led by CAPT Edmundo Félix Pimentel, Chief of Logistics, and the civilian group was headed by Mr. José Antonio Najri, a prominent local businessman and the “champion” for the formation of SAND. The entire meeting was organized by LCDR Derek Cromwell, USCGLO in Santo Domingo.

During the two days of intensive meetings, Auxiliarist Cooper discussed the history and organization of the USCG Auxiliary and the “Prevention mission” as well as how to use the web as a resource for documents, courses and qualification training of members on-line.

Auxiliarist Elliot covered maritime and aviation operations, the “Response mission” with in-depth attention to the management of Auxiliary Air Operations (AUX AIR) and ensuring the safety of air operations. The Dominicans were particularly interested in forming an air wing in their Auxiliary in order to better cover the country’s extensive coastline.

USCG and USCG AUX with VADM Lajara Solá.

CDR Allen reviewed the role of the D7 Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) office and the challenges of managing and supporting a volunteer organization associated with a military one. This topic generated a spirited discussion among the Navy officers, since it is an entirely new concept for them.

Sub-Secretray of Tourism Fernández-John Cooper-VADM Lajara Solá-CNO SAND COMO-Designate Najr

At the conclusion of the SMEE, the recently-named Chief of Naval Operations, VADM Homero Luis Lajara Solá joined the group, together with the Sub-Secretary of State for Tourism and the President of the Dominican FEMA and a host of TV, radio and press representatives.

VADM Lajara Solá publicly endorsed the creation of SAND, saying, “When I was a junior officer training at Governor’s Island, I was very impressed with what the USCG Auxiliary was doing for the US Coast Guard and vowed that our country would have such an organization one day. Now that I am the CNO, I expect it will be formed immediately for the benefit of all Dominicans and boaters who visit the Dominican Republic.”

The Auxiliary’s International Affairs Directorate is currently working closely with Barbados and Belize assisting them in the formation of CG Auxiliaries there with the same goal in mind: to free up the official forces to focus on law enforcement, counter-terrorism, alien and drug interdiction by undertaking as many of the other SAR and non-LE or combat duties as possible.

Tourism Sub-Secretary Fernández-John Cooper-VADM Lajara Solá and José Antonio Najri Showing

~gja