TEAM COAST GUARD - TRAINING TOGETHER

Recently, four Auxiliarists completed a Minor Aids Technician class alongside seven active duty members of the Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) at Milford Haven, VA.  Auxiliarists George Schluderman and Don Shearouse of Flotilla 3-10 and Howard Montgomery and Brian McArdle of Flotilla 33 spent four days in classroom and hands-on instruction learning how to service Aids to Navigation (AtoNs).

“We learned about the different types of lights that are in our area,” said Shearouse.  “It’s a wonder how well these intricate instruments stand up to the different types of weather in this area in addition to the exposure to the salt water.”

“The ANT team at Milford Haven has had their area of responsibility increased to include parts of the Eastern Shore and up the Potomac to Washington DC,” commented Auxiliarist Ted Tulis assisting EM1 William Bennett, an Instructor for the Fifth Coast Guard District.  “In addition, a 55 foot Buoy Tender was reassigned to Milford Haven to handle the larger type of buoys.  With the additional facility and territory Auxiliarists can aid in maintenance and repair of minor Aids to Navigation.”

“We all spent a lot of time assembling and disassembling different types of navigation and range lights,” stated Howard Montgomery.  “It was a great experience working alongside and interacting with members of the Coast Guard Station Milford Haven ANT Team.”

The last activity of the course was getting signed off on troubleshooting the lights.  Students were given a light with 10 different problems to find.  All eleven students completed the exercise successfully.  The next step is spending approximately six months working and repairing AtoNs in the area until Chief Benjamin Brown, Officer-in-Charge, is satisfied with the knowledge and performance of the Auxiliarists.  At that time, these Auxiliarists with become qualified as Minor Aids Technicians working with the United States Coast Guard.

~NGS 03-15-10