During the period of 01 June 2018 to 30 April 2019, ATC Safety Department exhibited extraordinary performance in support of the four pillars of the Coast Guard’s Safety Management System (SMS): Policy, Promotion, Assurance, and Risk Management.

The ATC safety staff significantly increased their leadership role in CG safety training. The ATC Command Safety Officer, LCDR Ben Walton, served as an instructor in the first organic Coast Guard Flight Safety Officer course and later in the year spearheaded the refinement of the course content. Furthermore, ATC FSOs provided input into numerous ALSAFETY messages and completed several trend analyses that provided important awareness and hazard mitigation to the fleet. Likewise, the ATC Safety Department assisted in several fleet evaluations of the new FORCECOM approved Flight Safety Assessments providing sage, actionable feedback and promoting SMS leading practices, many of which were developed at ATC. As all aviators intuitively know, to operate effectively and efficiently, aviation safety needs to be woven into all aspects of aviation operations. Aviation training is no exception. The actions of ATC’s Safety Department accelerated the inculcation of aviation safety into all aspects of aviation training adding significant value to the total training system.

In addition to the fleet wide contributions of the ATC Safety Department, they continued exemplary local practices. ATC is guided by a comprehensive SMS manual. This local instruction addresses aviation-specific programs within the main body and includes 19 specialized safety programs as annexes. The manual clearly delineates roles and responsibilities and ensures that safety programs are harnessed to advance unit operations and improve support activities.

This SMS is carried out in part by three safety councils, an enlisted safety council, flight safety council, and a command safety council. In addition to supporting a strong reporting culture, these councils have improved MRM training and supported risk management initiatives such as a water quality monitoring program to protect rescue swimmers.

ATC’s Ground Safety Chief Petty Officer, AMTC Michael Baines, made significant contributions to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit’s aviation engineering department and provided lessons learned to improve maintenance practices fleet wide. Empowerment of this member has resulted in a robust unit reporting culture and made the Ground Safety Chief Petty Officer job a sought after position that carries a significant amount of responsibility and equitable respect.

The ATC Safety Department embodies the Commandant’s guiding principles of Ready, Relevant and Responsive. Their approach to promoting, educating, and advancing aviation safety at both the unit and enterprise level is most deserving of the 2019 Captain Marion Gus Shrode Aviation Safety Award.

I wish to extend my personal congratulations to: LCDR Ben Walton (CSO), LCDR Derek Wilson (FSO), LCDR Mike Gibson (FSO), LCDR Peter Maloney (FSO), (FSO), LCDR Brian A. Kudrle (FSO), LT Margaret Morgan (FSO), LT Erik Price (FSO), LT William Philyaw (FSO), LT Justin Dougherty (GSO), AMTC M. Shaun Baines (GSCPO) and Mr. David Britain (CIV). They have distinguished their unit and safety program from a highly competitive and dedicated field of safety professionals.

I would also like to recognize Air Station Borinquen’s Safety Department consisting of LCDR Jim Cepa and LT Mario Tinari, whose efforts ushered an array of far reaching Coast Guard-wide safety initiatives. This work included a number of positive organizational changes directly attributed to comprehensive mishap report recommendations, the enhancement of both unit and fleet flight safety training programs, and the creation of a highly respected flight safety program built upon non-attribution reporting.

The Safety Departments listed below are also commended for their noteworthy safety leadership, responsiveness, and initiative during the past year. A. AIRSTA Cape Cod: LCDR Stephen Drauszewski, LT Steven Podmore, LT Paul Williams and MST2 Andrew Lagarce B. AIRSTA Kodiak: LCDR Ian Hurst, LT Kevin Riley, LT Zach Brown, LT Joseph Chevalier, LT Michelle Moravek, LT Frank Cheske and CIV Ron Halter C. AIRSTA Miami: LCDR Eric Vryheid, LT Greg Kotowitz, LT Mike Gonzales and LT Clay Kosack 12.