Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Commodore Viggo C. Bertelsen, Jr. and Vice Admiral John P. Currier Awards along with the District Director Auxiliary (DIRAUX) of the Year Award. The CG units and individuals honored incorporated Auxiliary support and manpower to the greater benefit of the Coast Guard in innovative and impactful manners.
The 2022 winners are:
Honorable mentions are:
“I applaud the exceptional actions of all awardees and nominees,” said Vice Adm. Paul F. Thomas, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support. “Your integration of the Auxiliary in novel and effective ways has increased Coast Guard mission efficiency, enhanced its achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provided inspirational models for all Coast Guard units.”
2022 Winners
Enhanced Mission Support Award: Coast Guard Academy
The Coast Guard Academy incorporated Auxiliarists in critical administrative positions to include its Personnel Security Clearance Office (PSCO). Auxiliarists alleviated the PSCO’s workload by rapidly processing background checks and security clearance packages for the corps of cadets and academy staff.
Enhanced Operations Award: Sector Long Island Sound
The Auxiliary contributed to Sector Long Island Sound mission success by performing over 6,100 hours of direct operational mission support and also supported Operation Focused Lens — assisting the assessment of terrorist threat vectors at small boat marinas and ramps.
Applied Innovation Award: Research and Development Center
The RDC fully integrated the Auxiliary in unique and innovative roles. This included using an Auxiliarist with a doctoral degree in Psychology to assist with cognitive enhancement tools, partnering with the Coast Guard Auxiliary historian to create a history of the RDC and leveraging a skilled Auxiliarist to complete the installation of a novel hydroponic garden onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star to grow fresh vegetables for an upcoming deployment.
District Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) of the Year: Cmdr. Christina Sullivan (District 1 Northern Region)
Sullivan facilitated more than 140,000 Auxiliary mission hours and coordinated several new regional initiatives including establishment of the D1-NR Auxiliary Paddlecraft Afloat Program. Her guidance and initiative ensured the smooth implementation of this new program and its initial qualification of more than 20 Auxiliary operators who improve recreational boating safety among the regional paddlecraft community.
Honorable mentions:
Enhanced Mission Support Award: Coast Guard Cutter Eagle
The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle employed Auxiliarists in a variety of mission support areas including a trained galley team of five Auxiliarists. The galley team helped prepare nearly 700 daily meals for the crew.
Enhanced Operations Award: Sector Boston
Auxiliarists assisted Sector Boston in numerous areas including the development and promotion of a dynamic unmanned aircraft system program, which assisted operational missions ranging from search and rescue to ice patrols.
Applied Innovation Award: Sector Houston-Galveston
Sector Houston/Galveston’s Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council incorporated Auxiliarists who made significant contributions to the Sector’s Community Day and Bring Your Child to Work Day events.
DIRAUX of the Year: Cmdr. Navin Griffin (District 7)
Griffin enabled D7 Auxiliarists’ successes in many areas including post-storm assessment missions following Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, and Fiona; and direct augmentation in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry.
The DIRAUX of the Year will be presented at the 2023 Auxiliary National Conference in Orlando, Florida in August 2023. Plaques for the Commodore Viggo C. Bertelsen, Jr. and Vice Admiral John P. Currier Awards will be sent to the responsible DIRAUX for coordination of appropriate presentation.
References:
ALCOAST 207-23 - 2022 AUXILIARY INTEGRATION AWARD PROGRAM RESULTS (sharepoint-mil.us)