The safety department was selected by the commandant’s staff for outstanding performance from among the impressive nominations of other aviation safety departments and individuals.

During the period of 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014, Air Station Cape Cod’s Safety Department demonstrated exceptional safety leadership, responsiveness, and initiative providing both value and bolstering a positive and proactive safety culture within their unit and throughout the Coast Guard aviation community. LT Hess, LT Mahar, and LT Kirkpatrick greatly improved the unit’s mishap reporting posture and consistently produced comprehensive investigations leading to eight fleet-wide material and/or procedural changes, earning accolades from district, area, and headquarters leadership. Additionally, the Safety Department’s superb knowledge of safety policy and resources ensured that critical safety data were captured following a Class B aviation/boat forces mishap. This superior effort laid the foundation for the Commandant’s Mishap Analysis Board (MAB) to complete a timely and accurate investigation. The Safety Department also expanded its sphere of influence beyond the aviation community. LT Hess, LT Mahar, and LT Kirkpatrick continuously engaged with First District units to update sector and small boat station mishap response plans, incorporating benchmarked best practices. They demonstrated knowledge and dedication to aviation safety education by spearheading an innovative unit-level safety publication that afforded many air station members a forum in which to publish safety related articles. Exceptional safety promotion is clearly a cornerstone of the Air Station Cape Cod safety culture, and is most visible thru its robust safety incentive program. Under this program, 36 informal awards and three positive page-7’s for superb aircrew safety performance were awarded, which greatly enhanced the unit’s safety culture. Furthermore, the Safety Department’s professional expertise as flight instructors was instrumental in the development of unit pilots, with the safety team providing over 155 instructional flight hours resulting in 19 upgrades. LT Hess’, LT Mahar’s, and LT Kirkpatrick’s commitment to a strong safety program was further exemplified by their efforts to revitalize the district’s auxiliary safety officer program. They provided tailored risk management training to every auxiliary region via regional conferences and fly-ins. Additionally, they shrewdly partnered with CG-1131 and the US Navy to acquire the first ever training quota for an Auxiliary Aviation pilot to attend the Navy’s Aviation Safety Officer School. Finally, their unique approach to risk management training, which incorporates instructional modules led by enlisted Flight Examining Board members, has increased participation and gained high praise during Aviation Training Center Standardization visits. LT Kimberly Hess’, LT Arthur Mahar’s, and LT Garin Kirkpatrick’s dedicated safety efforts have resulted in marked increases in hazard identification, mishap reporting, and procedural changes. Most notably they have reduced risk and advanced the safety culture at both Air Station Cape Cod and throughout Coast Guard aviation.

Their performance is in keeping with the legacy of Captain Shrode and a credit to Coast Guard Aviation and the profession of aviation safety.