Shipmate of the Week – Crew of CG6038

Shipmate of the Week – Crew of CG6038

Friday, October 7, 2011

The crew of CG6038, Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Powers, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Giumette, Lt. Andy Schanno and Lt. Mike Snyder, pose for a photo during a refuel on their way home from the rescue. Photo courtesy of Lt. Andy Schanno.

Soaking wet and hypothermic, Keith Hutchins stood on a rocky ledge with nowhere to go, trapped on Mount Ripinsky, Alaska. As he leaned against the mountain, 2,500 feet off the ground, there was no way of knowing if he would be there another 20 hours or if a rescue crew would be there to save him.
Hutchins was hiking on the mountain’s trail when there was a drastic change in weather. Becoming disoriented in whiteout conditions, he was caught in an avalanche and slipped, falling hundreds of feet onto a rocky ledge.

Keith Hutchins is transported from a Coast Guard rescue helicopter to ambulance after being rescued by the crew of CG6038. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Remarkably, Hutchins still had signal on his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. Mountaineers and rescue personnel from Haines Volunteer Fire Department, Juneau Mountain Rescue and Skagway Fire Department headed out to free Hutchins, but due to poor weather conditions and the steep terrain rescuers couldn’t reach him from below. They had to try from above and knew just who to call.
The crew of CG6038 – Lt. Andy Schanno, Lt. Mike Snyder, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Giumette and Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Powers – had only been on duty for a few minutes at Air Station Sitka when they got the call to launch for the rescue.
Rescuers weren’t sure where exactly Hutchins was, so the crew of the 6038 used their searchlight and flew back and forth across the base of the mountain below the clouds. Hutchins, in contact with mountain rescue, could see the searchlight and reported when he saw the beam directly below him.
The crew had a better idea of where Hutchins was, but the whiteout forced the rescuers to make a tough call – they would have to leave Hutchins overnight.
“It was a bit discouraging to have to leave him there, but there was no possible way to rescue him,” said Powers, the crew’s rescue swimmer. “If he could just hang in the night ‘till the next day we were sure, if the weather cooperated, that we could rescue him.”
The crew awoke the next morning and awaited a break in the weather. As snow and wind churned around the airport, a gap in the clouds came.
The crew hovered around the mountain’s rock outcroppings and trees, now fully encased with ice. After multiple passes, the crew spotted Hutchins. Schanno, the aircraft commander, and Snyder positioned the helicopter as Powers was hoisted below the helicopter.

The view from the rescue helicopter's cabin of Keith Hutchins as he stood on a rocky ledge on Alaska's Mount Ripinksy. Photo courtesy of Lt. Andy Schanno.

“Nick Giumette, the flight mechanic, conned the helicopter into perfect position,” said Powers. “I bounced along the icy cliff side and ended up in a powdery, snowy ravine just below the survivor’s legs.”
After close to a day spent standing upright, thousands of feet up a mountain, Hutchins was safe.
“I just wanted to give the guy the biggest hug in the world,” recounted Hutchins in an interview after the rescue. “I was like dude you just saved my life.”
The crew of CG6038 were true heroes that day. They made the peaks of our nation’s Last Frontier just one other place the Coast Guard saves lives – even if it was from a mountaintop.
“I never imagined I’d be plucking people off mountains when I was growing up in western Pennsylvania,” said Snyder, the co-pilot. “It’s an indescribable feeling to help somebody like that. “
“I sincerely never envisioned myself being put into a position to save people’s lives, not to mention from a helicopter in Alaska,” added Powers. “It’s extremely gratifying and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The crew of CG6038 will be honored at the Coast Guard Foundation‘s 31st Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard next Thursday alongside a rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay. Stay tuned next week to hear their story!
Do you know a Shipmate that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations using the “Submit Ideas” link on the right.

Mount Ripinsky, Alaska, where the rescue of Keith Hutchins took place. Photo courtesy of Lt. Andy Schanno.

Double drug bust for Diligence

Double drug bust for Diligence

Monday, October 10, 2011

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Cutter Diligence transfer bales of cocaine onto the cutter in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

The Coast Guard has been America’s first line of defense against threats delivered by and from the high seas for decades. While on patrol last month in the Caribbean the men and women aboard Coast Guard Cutter Diligence proved to be that first line of defense once again as they interdicted two drug-smuggling fishing vessels laden with cocaine.

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Cutter Diligence offload 2,808 pounds of cocaine at Coast Guard Sector Key West. The cocaine was seized from four suspected smugglers aboard a vessel during a routine boarding. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

Diligence, a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Wilmington, N.C., was on a routine patrol in the Western Caribbean Sea when a 35-foot fishing vessel was spotted by the crew.
“We went ahead and enacted a bilateral agreement; we got permission to get on board the vessel,” said Ensign James Heuser, one of Diligence’s boarding officers. “Once on board we went and did a basic initial safety inspection which is just to make sure that its safe for my crew to be on board the vessel.”
While the inspection was part of normal procedures, a discovery by the boarding team made it anything but routine.
“During that inspection one of my team members went up forward to check one of the holds to look in the bilge to make sure there was no water coming in, and he saw a bunch of bales stacked up pretty much to the deck plates he was standing on,” said Heuser.
The bales stacked to the deck plates ended up being 2,808 pounds of cocaine.
The Diligence crew detained four suspected smugglers aboard the vessel and prevented the trafficking of the cocaine, worth an estimated street value of $34 million.
“Seeing that much contraband in one place and knowing we have positive control over it is gratifying but also reminds you how serious and dangerous our mission can be,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Clark, a member of the boarding team for the drug bust.
Later in their patrol, Diligence moved towards the Eastern Caribbean Sea, and once again interdicted a fishing vessel. The boarding team made a plain-view discovery and retrieved 54 individually wrapped packages, testing positive for cocaine. Once more, the crew stopped the smugglers and prevented the haul – worth an estimated street value of $1.5 million – from reaching our shores.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Tyler, a crewmember aboard Coast Guard Cutter Diligence, offloads a bale of cocaine at Coast Guard Sector Key West. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sabrina Elgammal.

It was a joint effort that allowed Diligence to seize the contraband; from the boarding team to cooperating authorities, law enforcement officers and agents provided a united front to ensure nothing got past their line of defense.
“These interdictions were conducted during joint operations with Dutch and French authorities and highlight the importance and effectiveness of international partnerships as we work to stem the flow of illegal narcotics,” said Cmdr. Douglas Goodwin, Diligence’s commanding officer.  “Additionally, the professionalism and proficiency of Diligence’s crew were critical to our success in interdicting these vessels.”
“A drug bust doesn’t happen without every person onboard the cutter doing their job.  I’m proud of the entire crew; everyone stepped up,” added Clark.
After their 45-day multi-mission patrol in the Caribbean came to an end, crewmembers knew they played an important part in securing our nation’s borders. In the fight against smugglers whose aim is to profit from illegal drugs, Diligence prevailed as they interdicted a total of 2,927 pounds of cocaine during the two separate cases.
“My favorite part of this patrol is knowing that when we came back we would be able to hold our heads high and say we stopped drugs from getting onto the streets in some community, somewhere,” said Clark.

A boarding team from Coast Guard Cutter Diligence board a fishing vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel was carrying 2,808 pounds of cocaine. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Paying it forward

Each year, the President of the United States designates September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month – a national celebration of the history, culture and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Continuing Compass’ recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month 2011, we bring you the story of Petty Officer 3rd Class Ahmed Suarez who became a U.S. citizen while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and has gone on to excel in the very service that saved his life.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Ahmed Suarez receives the Letter of Commendation from Capt. Matthew Sisson for his work in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. Photo courtesy of Petty Officer 3rd Class Ahmed Suarez.

Ask any Coast Guard member why they joined the service and you will get a different answer from just about everyone.  Some join for the adventure, to see the world, the chance to save lives, be a part of something bigger than themselves or the opportunity to serve their country. But it is rare to find someone who joins the Coast Guard to repay the act of being rescued from almost certain disaster.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ahmed Suarez was eight years old when his family of 14 was rescued by the Coast Guard. Their boat’s fuel system broke down and their family was left drifting throughout the night. By fortune or destiny, a fishing boat spotted their vessel and called the Coast Guard.
“I remember how big that 41-foot boat looked to me as a crewmember picked us up and transferred us onboard. After that we were taken to Coast Guard Station Islamorada,” recalls Suarez.
This one moment changed Suarez’ life forever and with a wish to pay it forward, Suarez enlisted in the Coast Guard at the age of 20.
“I joined the Coast Guard because I wanted to help people; to be able to do what the Coast Guard did for me,” said Suarez.
His first duty station was at the Fire and Safety Test Detachment in Mobile, Ala. Suarez’ desire to serve the very country that rescued him and his family came to fruition immediately as he found himself  assisting with the recovery efforts for both Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Suarez is currently stationed on Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported out of Portsmouth, Va. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Evanson.

“When Deepwater Horizon transpired,  I was directly involved with developing and testing new technologies to detect submerged oil, as well as deploying oil containment booms on the Coast Guard’s only landing craft to protect Alabama’s gulf shore beaches,” said Suarez.
After working along the gulf shores, Suarez received orders for Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater, an 87-foot patrol boat home ported in Portsmouth, Va. Because these boats are highly sought after and extremely competitive for junior enlisted members, Suarez took every opportunity given to him and met every challenge.  Despite his performance there was one thing holding him back from moving up in the ranks.
Suarez was still awaiting U.S. citizenship, which is necessary for non-U.S. citizens serving in the Coast Guard if they wish to make the Coast Guard a career. In order to advance past the rate of seaman or to re-enlist, servicemembers must become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Despite the extensive process it takes to become a citizen, Suarez knew without a shadow of a doubt it was something he desired.
“It is an incredibly long process,” said Suarez. “They lost my paperwork twice, but it was all worth it in the end to be able to take that oath.”
“Whenever I get new crew assignments, I tend to look up any information I can find,” said Master Chief Petty Officer William James, commanding officer of Shearwater. “So when I saw that then Seamen Ahmed Suarez had been an E-3 for five years, a red flag went up. But then I found out he has been waiting for his citizenship to go through since you can’t advance to the rate of petty officer until you are a U.S. citizen. That shows me complete dedication and love for the service; having a family at that pay grade is not easy.”
Suarez continues to excel as a crewmember aboard Shearwater where he performs critical missions in defense of the nation of which he is now a citizen. Every day he is aboard Shearwater is a day he honors the courage and sacrifice of countless Americans who have gone before him, and pays tribute to the rescuers who changed his life.
“I have been commanding officer for five different 87-foot patrol boats and Petty Officer Suarez stands out. He qualified in record time in each of his watch stations. It usually takes two months to qualify inport officer of the deck and Suarez was fully qualified in less than a month,” said James. “To get the full underway crewman and engineering officer of the watch it normally takes three months but he got qualified in a month and a half. He’s just one of the hardest working and driven people I have met in my 28 years of service.”

The makings of a Coast Guard Ironman

The makings of a Coast Guard Ironman

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Ferreira and Lt. Rachel Beckman pose for a photo while at the Ironman World Championship in 2010. The two represented the Coast Guard in the mentally and physically challenging race that has more than 1,800 competitors and will again be competing this year. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young.

With contributions from Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Torres, Training Center Petaluma, Calif.
A visit to the land of aloha typically involves surfing waves, relaxing on sandy beaches and of course celebrating the luau tradition. But for the 1,800 athletes traveling to Hawaii’s tropical paradise to compete in the Ironman World Championship this weekend, the islands will be anything but tranquil. Representing the U.S. Coast Guard in the service’s signature orange and blue in this cruel feat of fortitude will be Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Ferreira.
At age 47, Ferreira has represented the Coast Guard at the World’s Ironman since 2005 and will once again embark on the 140.6-mile journey in search of the title of “Ironman.” Ferreira joins nine other servicemembers in the race – each military service is allowed a male and female competitor – which has involved military athletes from the very first Ironman.

Command Master Chief Michael Ferreira of the 14th Coast Guard District runs by the crowd after transitioning from the bike to the run while competing in the Ironman World Championship in 2010. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young.

The Ironman Triathlon was spawned by a simple debate between competitors at the conclusion of a 1978 running race: who is more fit – swimmers, runners or other athletes. Among the debaters was U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Collins and his wife Judy. Together they envisioned a race to settle the argument once and for all.
Fifteen athletes participated in the first Ironman, with only 12 completing the race. This Saturday, Ferreira will continue the tradition of military competitors started by Collins when he competes in the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and to finishing things off a 26.2 mile run, or what Ferreira refers to as a “cool down.”
Starting out in shorter races at age 25, Ferreira worked his way up by joining a local runner’s group, eventually leading him to the Boston Marathon where, as fate would have it, he met his biggest supporter and training partner – his wife.
It is no secret there is tremendous stamina and endurance required to compete in the Ironman and Ferreira has been training for years. Ferreira describes his training as “continual” and increasing in difficulty.
“In the beginning I start off with short races, then by the middle of the year I try to do half-Ironman and then a few months before the race I concentrate on longer training that will prepare me for the Ironman events,” said Ferreira.
While the race cannot be performed without maintaining a meticulous training regimen, experience in the competition is also crucial.
“The race is always very difficult, and on any given year for different reasons,” said Ferreira. “The heat, wind and elements can be cruel in Kona. It is a fantastic venue to test ability, emotion and tenacity. Training is what it is. For any event, you prepare yourself to the best of your ability with the time you have available. Get yourself mentally ready to work hard and give it what you’ve got on race day.”
When it comes down to race day, Ferreira looks forward to signature elements of the Ironman – including Hawaii’s crystal clear waters – but there are still grueling components that test the body and the mind.
“The swim, although my weakest event, is beautiful, clear and cool,” said Ferreira. “The bike can get long and beats up on you mentally. The ride back from Hawaii is like an ‘easy ticket’ ride; often you are riding between 30 to 35 miles per an hour with crosswinds that can be interesting and challenging. The run gets tough as you might imagine. The final mile of the run believe it or not, is the easiest.”

At age 47, Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Ferreira has represented the Coast Guard at the World’s Ironman since 2005. Photo courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Torres.

Despite his strenuous training schedule and his passion for competing in the race, Ferreira understands he doesn’t have the time to finish at the very top; his leadership and guidance are needed somewhere else.
Ferreira is the current command master chief of the 14th Coast Guard District. As the command master chief he is an essential member of the district’s leadership and advocates for the needs of servicemembers and their families. He never forgets his responsibility to his people and balances this important leadership role with his training.
“You do the best you can with the time you have,” said Ferreira. “I would prefer to train much more than I have time to do currently. The process is still fun and I think you have to ensure yourself to keep that point in the front of your mind. It’s about doing something you enjoy! It’s all about that work-life balance.”
Ferreira will compete alongside fellow Coast Guardsman Lt. Rachel Beckman at this year’s competition and with exactly 1 day 12 hours 50 minutes and 32 seconds until they compete we wish them both the best of luck!

Second interdiction of Western Caribbean drug sub

New trend in drug smuggling routes developing

Click image for video.

MIAMI -- Video footage of a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel interdiction in the Caribbean Sea Sept. 17, 2011. The SPSS was interdicted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk. U.S. Coast Guard video.

Setting the sails for success

Setting the sails for success

Monday, October 3, 2011

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Officer-in-Training Jared Halonen, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Mateo and Officer Candidate Jennifer Flowers work together to plot the location of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings.

While the partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration typically occurs during joint operations, crisis responses or exercises, last week the agencies partnered while sailing on America’s Tall Ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle.

Coast Guard Officer Candidate Joseph Della Rosa and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Officer-in-Training Andrew Clos give a nautical brief aboard Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings.

For the first time, NOAA officer trainees joined Coast Guard officer candidates aboard the 295-foot barque training vessel in a move to integrate more leadership into their seamanship training.
“We are attempting to model our Basic Officer Training Class off of the Coast Guard Academy’s Officer Candidate School based upon OCS’s record of success,” said Lt. j.g. Jonathan Heesch, the NOAA liaison to the Coast Guard Leadership Development Center and the junior officer in charge of the NOAA Officer Training Center.
The idea to conduct joint Coast Guard and NOAA training began early last year and came to fruition these past few weeks.
“When NOAA approached the academy’s Leadership Development Center, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with them,” said Lt. Diana Tkacs, Coast Guard OCS instructor. “The officer career is built around the ability to network and negotiate, not only with the people you work with, but with other departments, districts, local agencies and government agencies.”
Instead of waiting for a joint operation or crisis, this group of officer trainees became acquainted before responding to an incident or even beginning their careers.

Coast Guard Officer Candidates Jake Aulner and Michelle Simmons study the nomenclature of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. The officer candidates, who graduate in December 2011, are sailing on Eagle as part of their training to become Coast Guard commissioned officers. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings.

“This collaboration has offered both the Coast Guard officer candidates and NOAA officers-in-training an opportunity to build a unique relationship early on in their careers,” said Tkacs.
“It’s important because it teaches our officers how to interact and how to operate with other officers and gives them a glimpse into what things are like in the Coast Guard. If you look at the Coast Guard mission areas and the NOAA mission areas, we overlap in several of them,” added Heesch.
While Eagle heads to an extended drydock period in Baltimore, the NOAA and Coast Guard officers will head back to the Coast Guard Academy in New London to continue their training and development as future leaders in their service

Coast Guard & Air Force: A tradition of training

Coast Guard & Air Force: A tradition of training

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin maintains a safety zone while airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base undergo SERE Specialist Training U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn.

Written by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn.
The success of U.S. Coast Guard missions depends largely on the experience and expertise of our members. Sometimes, Coast Guard missions and missions of other U.S. armed services overlap, providing the opportunity to share our knowledge and capabilities. The U.S. Air Force has called upon this experience and expertise of the men and women at Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay for 44 years.
Station Tillamook Bay, situated on the Oregon coast, and other Coast Guard Pacific Northwest assets have been working with the Air Force to train airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., twice a year since September 1967.
Airmen attending the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Specialist Training School, come to Garibaldi, Ore., to undergo the open water portion of the six-month technical training program required of all potential SERE specialists. Successful completion of the course prepares future SERE specialists to instruct any Air Force SERE related program and be worldwide deployable.

Instructors from the SERE Technical School parachute into the ocean during the coastal phase of training on the Oregon coast. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emerald Ralston.

Throughout this critical training, the Air Force relies on the Coast Guard for expertise in open water transportation, recovery and overall safety.
Coast Guard motor lifeboat crews transport airmen and their instructors to the open ocean. They are required to jump overboard, wearing dry suits to maintain body temperature in the frigid water. Instructors deploy life rafts as airmen and instructors climb inside. They spend six hours afloat in the open ocean, learning first-hand the harsh realities of survival at sea. Motor lifeboat crews generate wake in the absence of heavy natural swells, simulating the often tumultuous seas off the coast of the Pacific Northwest.
For the final stage of the open water portion, Coast Guard rescue helicopter crews hoist the airmen from the water, simulating an aerial rescue at sea.
Earlier this month, Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin out of Bellingham, Wash., also partnered with the Air Force and was on scene with the airmen as they floated in life rafts whilemotor lifeboat crews from Station Tillamook Bay transported airmen and trainers to and from the open ocean.
Lt. Col. Jeremiah Monk, commander of the 66th Training Squadron responsible for running the school at Fairchild AFB was excited about not only the training that day, but the training tradition that the Air Force has shared with the Coast Guard.
“We had yet another excellent training experience, due in no small part to the United States Coast Guard support received from both Station Tillamook Bay and Cutter Terrapin,” stated Monk. “SERE has been working with Tillamook for 44 years. That duration stands testament to not only the consistently outstanding training conditions for SST, but also largely to the world-class support provided by the men and women of Station Tillamook Bay.”

Students in the SERE Technical School head into the water before spending a few hours in a life raft, learning to survive in an ocean environment on the Oregon coast. U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Emerald Ralston.

As head of the SST school, Monk recognizes dangers posed by treacherous environments all over the world. He commends the Coast Guard’s ability to successfully operate in one of the most dangerous conditions: the open ocean.
“Open water training is one of ten training periods in the course,” added Monk. “But because of the inherently hostile environment, it is arguably our most complex and dangerous training phase. We mitigate that risk by our close working relationship with the Coast Guard.”
Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Saindon, commander of Station Tillamook Bay, is proud his station has played such a longstanding role in ensuring defense readiness in conjunction with the Air Force.
“We are extremely proud to be able to work with the Air Force in providing survival training for combat situations,” gleamed Saindon. “For 44 years Station Tillamook Bay has played a key role in the training, thus a critical role in national defense. Our location provides an excellent training environment and our personnel provide the expertise required to operate within it.”
Monk stated that in addition to the training, his airmen gain a valuable experience by watching Coast Guard crews operate assets in the field.
“As a side benefit, the partnership also allows us an opportunity to showcase the USCG to our young airmen, most of whom have no experience working with our sister services,” added Monk. “Our trainees had the exceptional opportunity to be aboard as our Coast Guard Tillamook Bay partners were diverted to escort six civil vessels back to safe harbor amidst a quickly-developing weather situation. After seeing the case first-hand, I speak for all my men in saying we have a new-found appreciation for all the Coast Guard does for our country and our citizens, day in and day out.”

A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Tillamook Bay, Ore., creates swells while airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base undergo SERE training. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn