National Conference – 2009 (NACON)

Welcome #1
OAK BROOK, IL – Host Commodore, COMO Randy Podolsky, D9W, welcomes conference attendees, senior leadership, their spouses, International partners, and other domestic agencies, friends, and supporters of the Auxiliary. “Being the best is never good enough,” said COMO Podolsky as he rallied the members and encouraged them to remain focused on the core missions of the Auxiliary, while simultaneously embracing the ongoing Coast Guard Modernization changes with “cautious exuberance.” COMO Poldolsky then read a Proclamation from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proclaiming August 29 “Coast Guard Auxiliary Day” in the State of Illinois.

Welcome #2
OAK BROOK, IL – Following a dramatic video highlighting the Ninth Coast Guard District, host District Commander, RDML Peter Neffenger, D9 welcomes NACO attendees on behalf of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard. “The Ninth District is busier than we have ever been before with Search and Rescue and our other traditional missions,” said RDML Neffenger. “We could not do our job without the Coast Guard Auxiliary.”

Honorary Membership #1
OAK BROOK, IL – COMO Nicholas Kerigan bestows Honorary Life Membership in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to Vice Admiral Eduardo Alvarez of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Vice Admiral Alvarez was cited for his devotion to duty and many contributions to increasing the safety of life at sea.

Honorary Membership #2
OAK BROOK, IL – COMO Nicholas Kerigan bestows Honorary Life Membership in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to COMO Harold M. Wolfe of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. COMO Wolfe was cited for his active commitment to increasing international SAR response along the Pacific rim and his devotion to duty toward preserving the safety of life at sea.

Keynote Speech #1 – RADM O’Hara, DCO
OAK BROOK, IL – RADM Sally Brice O’Hara, Deputy Commandant for Operations (CG-DCO), addresses leadership and attendees at NACON 2009.  RADM O’Hara recognized the Auxiliary for 70 years of stalwart and dedicated service to the Nation and the U.S. Coast Guard citing 3,022,115 hours of service from August 2008 to August 2009 as an example of the continued value and experience that the Auxiliary brings to Team Coast Guard. RADM pointed to the most recent Recreational Boating Safety statistics as evidence of the ongoing success in the work of the Auxiliary.  RADM O’Hara also highlighted the Interpreter Corps the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM), the AUXCHEF, and ICS training programs as several of the initiatives where the Auxiliary is helping to lead the way for Team Coast Guard. “We count on you to provide the assets and scenarios that we use to exercise our proficiencies, and well as yours,” said RADM O’Hara. “You help us to raise the bar of expectations.  Please stay Semper Paratus!”

Keynote Speech #2 – RDML Watson, DO LANTAREA
OAK BROOK, IL – RDML James Watson, DO LANTAREA, addresses leadership and attendees at NACON 2009. RDML Watson passed on regards from VADM Papp, Commander LANTAREA before presenting a dynamic video highlighting the CG Modernization effort across eleven key mission areas around the world. RDML Watson discussed the forthcoming transition of LANTAREA to the hub of Coast Guard Operations. “We depend on the Coast Guard Auxiliary to assist us across a cross-section of our missions.  The services we provide allow America to maintain its seafaring leadership position in the world. We are recognized as the experts, and we could not do it without the Coast Guard Auxiliary,” said RDML Watson.

Eagle Awards – John Malatak, CG-5422
OAK BROOK, IL – Mr. John Malatak of the USCG Recreational Boating Safety division addresses leadership and attendees at NACON 2009.  Mr. Malatak presented the Coast Guard “Eagle” Awards. The awards will be listed in the “Awards” segment of SITREP coverage, to follow.

CAPT. Mark Rizzo, Chief Director of Auxiliary
OAK BROOK, IL – CAPT Mark Rizzo, Chief Director of Auxiliary presents the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation awards on behalf of the Commandant. The awards will be listed in the “Awards” segment of SITREP coverage, to follow.

Philippine Coast Guard
OAK BROOK, IL – CDR Jose Isaga of the Philippine Coast Guard addresses NACON attendees on behalf of ADM Wilfredo Tamayo, Commander, PCG.  CDR Isaga highlighted the many specialized assets and units of the PCG, which is the oldest military service in the country. The PCG has 54 Coast Guard stations throughout the island nation, as well as their very own Auxiliary. Like the USCG, the PCG is undertaking it’s own modernization program, including the development of a proposed PCG Academy as part of a national PCG legislative bill.  Awards from the Philippine Coast Guard were presented to RADM Brice=OHara, RADM Watson, NACO Kerigan and PNACO Tucker.