Four D5-SR Auxiliarists recently travelled from Virginia to Anchorage, Alaska to teach search and rescue techniques to Auxiliarists of District 17. Several student Auxiliarists from District 13 (Seattle, WA) also attended.

The instructors from District 5-SR were Auxiliarists James Campbell (Flotilla 31), Wallace Dawson (Flotilla 33), and Judy Julian and Joseph Riley (Flotilla 3-10). The Auxiliarists constitute the cadre of instructors who teach “Auxiliary Search Coordination and Execution (AUXSC&E) Train-the-Trainers” nationwide. The project is conducted on behalf of the National Search and Rescue School at Training Center in Yorktown, VA.

Seventeen students graduated the five-day course and were certified to teach it at their local flotillas and train others to teach the course throughout their districts. In the past two years the “Train-the- Trainers” approach has produced over 250 instructors throughout the country.

In 2008 courses were conducted in Seattle WA, Phoenix AZ, Traverse City MI, Helena MT, and Orlando Fl. Another course was slated for Pontiac, MI in April for District 9 members.

James Campbell, Past Division Commander and member of Flotilla 31, “Richmond”, is a Search and Rescue (SAR) School instructor and travels around the country teaching the similar course to Coast Guard active duty personnel. He will soon celebrate his 10th anniversary as a SAR School instructor.