Auxiliarists at G-20. (all are 8th Eastern District) – (Left to right) Auxiliarists Norman Arbes, Don Metz, Jeffrey Sencindiver, Mike Krivjanik, Don Colwell, Bill McGonigal, Greg Knippel.  Not pictured - Mark Draskovich.  Photo by LCDR Scott Higman, USCG, MSU Pittsburgh.

The leaders of twenty-three of the world's most influential countries gathered on September 24th and 25th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to address global economic policies.   Hundreds of Coast Guard men and women from units across the nation stood watch on the three rivers, securing and safeguarding critical transportation routes as well as the site venue itself.  

Among the team of supporters were eight Auxiliarists from the Eighth Eastern Coast Guard District.

 The Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Pittsburgh, CDR Richard Timme, described the results of this National Special Security Event (NSSE) as an unqualified success.  His remarks to the team included, "I applaud the leadership and performance of each and every participating member here in Pittsburgh.  You achieved outstanding results, represented the Coast Guard in an exemplary manner and professionally executed under the glare of intense scrutiny.  To all involved my sincere thanks for your dedication and support.  Bravo Zulu on a job well done!"

 Regular and reserve Coast Guard units came to Pittsburgh from New Orleans Louisiana, Louisville Kentucky, Washington DC, Portsmouth Virginia, Alameda California, Chesapeake Virginia, Fort Dix New Jersey, San Francisco California, Mobile Alabama, Miami Florida, San Diego California, New York New York, Saint Louis Missouri, Huntington West Virginia, Paducah Kentucky, and Cincinnati Ohio, as well as many from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

The Auxiliarists came from Division 7 in the Pittsburgh area, Division 9 in West Virginia, and Division 18 in Columbus, Ohio.

 Auxiliarists provided assistance to security personnel by keeping a watchful eye on areas surrounding the command and communications center which was located in a marina.  This was also the site where equipment and CG boat crews staged for operational missions.  Auxiliarist Don Colwell monitored video camera displays of the marina and the fuel dock.  Auxiliarist Greg Knippel watched the rear entrance gate and waterway approaches.

 Auxiliarists also provided support as mission evaluators.  The role of the mission evaluators was to report how well the Coast Guard team performed command and control, situational awareness, asset management, information management, and adherence to Incident Command System (ICS) procedures.  The information we learned in our ICS 210 class last Fall was very helpful!.

The evaluation was performed through both direct observation and interviews of Coast Guard personnel throughout the exercise.  The Auxiliary provided feedback through written reports and an oral presentation during the "hot wash" (debrief) following the event.  The findings from all evaluators were very positive.  Auxiliarists Don Metz, Jeffrey Sencidiver, Mike Krivjanik, Norman Arbes and Mark Draskovich served as mission evaluators.  Bill McGonigal, District Captain, was the Auxiliary Coordinator and also a mission evaluator.

 This exercise of national significance provided another opportunity for the Coast Guard Auxiliary to demonstrate our ability to augment Coast Guard forces.  Everyone on the Auxiliary team was very excited to be part of one of the largest Coast Guard exercise of the year.

~NGS