Roost 2010 Awards - Coast Guard Aviation Association

Each year the Coast Guard Aviation Association honors active duty aviation personnel by recognizing outstanding achievement. Recipients of these awards are chosen by the United States Coast Guard. Awards include the The Victor Roulund Rescue Swimmer Meritorious Achievement Award, the Captain Gus Shrode Flight Safety Award, the Chief Oliver Berry Aviation Maintenance Award, the Commander Elmer Stone Fixed Wing Rescue Award, and the Captain Frank Erickson Rotary Wing Rescue Award. See below for award descriptions as well as past and present recipients.

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.

The los angeles air station safety department was instrumental in development of field level tactical patrol procedures for joint operations with the U.S. Border Patrol. Joint patrols resulted in the capture of 41 illegal migrants, 6 human traffickers, 2 vehicles, 6,800 dollars in cash and three tons of marijuana. The input and oversight of the safety department was considered critical to ensure crew and aircraft safety in demanding flight profiles in the high threat border environment.

The department implemented a formal unit practice to identify, document and code risks and mitigation strategies that enhanced transparency and risk awareness at all levels of the eleventh coast guard district. The department also constructed a matrix tracking time between critical maneuvers enabling training missions to target specific areas of concern. In addition, valuable contributions toward personal safety on the hangar deck included innovative mobile carts providing readily available protective gear to work sites elevating safety, work quality and efficiency while decreasing scheduled maintenance times. The los angeles Air Station mission effectiveness was significantly enhanced by the many initiatives and superior performance of the safety department flight safety officers.

The Coast Guard Aviation Association annually presents the Captain Marion “Gus” Shrode Aviation Safety Award to recognize superior performance and outstanding contributions to Coast Guard aviation safety. Captain Shrode was a pioneer in the development of Coast Guard aviation standardization programs, including publication of the Coast Guard’s first aircraft standardization manual. Captain Shrode was also instrumental in creating the Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center in 1966, served as the Aviation Safety Chief, and completed seven years of continuous aviation command with distinction.

2009 LT Robert Fitzgerald, CGAS San Francisco
2008 AS Clearwater Safety Department: LT Rob Donnell, LT Josh Fitzgerald, LTJG James Bates and MST1 Jon Gebo
2007 AS Atlantic City Safety Department: LT Brian Potter and LT Frank Fusco
2006 Sector Corpus Christi Safety Department: CDR John Danaher, LT Juan Posada and Ms Jammie Fisher
2005 LT Sean O’Brien, CGAS Houston
2004 AS Kodiak Safety Department: LCDR Brian Washburn, LT Jeremy Smith, LT Timothy Eason and Mr. Scott Tobias
2003 LT Richard Bates, HITRON Jacksonville
2002 LT Charles Carrulo, AS Atlantic City
2001 LT John Rivers, CGAS Miami
2000 CWO Chirstopher Toupin, AR&SC
1999 LT Randy Emery, CGAS Atlantic City
1998 LT David Scott, CGAS Borenquen

On august 3rd, 2009, their brave actions resulted in the saving of four lives from the fishing vessel, Alexander II, sinking offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Facing a dense blanket of fog and deteriorating weather conditions, the crew demonstrated keen situational awareness, risk reduction savvy and skillfully balanced aircraft capabilities. The helicopter was flown in instrument conditions the entire ninety miles to the scene with the crew learning en route that requested air support would be unable to participate which made communications with the SAR Mission Controller all the more challenging. The crew was able to establish communications via a relay through another fishing vessel which permitted the passing of pertinent case information in real time. Battling darkness, fog and haze, the crew located the vessel still afloat with the crew in a nearby life raft. Conducting power checks, the crew realized all four survivors could not be recovered without exceeding aircraft weight limitations. After hoisting two survivors, the crew recalculated fuel burn, winds and distance to shore and made the difficult decision to jettison fuel to allow for the rescue of the remaining two survivors. Once all the rescued were safely on board, the crew then faced deteriorating weather conditions all along the eastern seboard with fog on the surface, visibility less than one eighth of a mile and fuel critical. An alternate landing site was necessary. The crew zeroed in on an uncontrolled airfield just within range and arrived at the initial approach fix with only enough fuel for one instrument approach. Landing with mere seconds to spare, the four mariners were safely transferred to waiting medical personnel. The crew’s superlative aeronautical abilities, extraordinary bravery, and impressive teamwork throughout this perilous mission have been described as beyond heroic.

The Frank Erickson Award recognizes Rotary-Wing aircrews who have demonstrated exceptional performance while engaged in search and rescue operations.

2009 HH-60J crew, AS Clearwater
LCDR Mark Turner, LTjg Daniel Cathell, AMT2 Jason Menezes, AST3 Jon Geskus

2008 HH-65 crew, AS Kodiak
LT Timothy Schmitz, LT Greg Gederner, AMT2 Alfred Musgrave, AST2 Abram Heller

2007 HH-65 crew, AS Kodiak
LCDR Joseph Carroll, LT Devin Townsend, AST1 Willard Milam, AET2 John Maghupoy

2006 HH-60 crew, AS Sitka
LCDR William Simmons, LCDR Walter Horne, AMT3 Karl Schickle, AST3 Jon Houlberg

2005 HH-65 crew, AS Kodiak
LT Timothy Eason, LT Robert Kornexl, AMT3 Gibbons

2004 HH-60 crew, AS Kodiak
LCDR Joseph Uxmann, LT Jeremy Smith, AMT2 Joseph Triechel, AST2 Joshua Mitcheltree, HS2 Marc Capra

2003 HH-65 crew, AS Humboldt Bay
LVCDR Even Grant, LT Andrea Sacchetti, AMT2 Raymond Morris

2002 HH-65 crew, AS North Bend
CDR Douglas Kaup, LT Steven Detton, AVT3 Benjamin Berman, AST3 Erick Biehn

2001 HH-65 crew, AS Savannah
LT Lance Belben, LT Sean Morrisey, AMT3 Curtis Winn, AST2 Jason Mathers

2000 HH-60 crew, AS Sitka
LCDR Robert Yerex, LT james O’Keefe, AMT1 Christian Bloanco, AST3 Noel Hutton

Demonstrated extraordinary skill and courage in saving the lives of ten fish and wildlife employees stranded on a tiny island in the path of a category three hurricane.

Tern Island lies approximately 500 miles west of Honolulu about half way between Hawaii and Midway Island. This small dot in the pacific is a sanctuary for birds, marine mammals and aquatic life. The island consists of little more than an old dilapidated coral runway less than 3,000 feet long and not much wider than a C-130 wingtip to wingtip. This runway of sorts is normally only suitable for small twin engine aircraft landing and taking off in ideal weather conditions. When the request came in to evacuate the ten people, HC-130H 1706 launched with the crew aware that if for some reason they were unable to take off from tern island, they themselves would also be stranded while a 25 foot storm surge engulfed the island. The crew employed their aircraft to its maximum capabilities by successfully landing on the short, wet strip of coral, loading all ten individuals and making a risky takeoff complicated by multiple bird strikes. Through their effective use of mission planning, crew resource management, proactive leadership and exceptional airmanship , the crew succeeded in preserving the lives of fellow Americans working to protect the nation’s assets and livelihood.

The Elmer Stone Award recognizes Fixed-Wing aircrews who have demonstrated exceptional performance while engaged in search and rescue operations

2009 HC-130 CREW, AS SACRAMENTO LCDR CHE BARNES, LT RANDALL BLACK, AMT1 ANDREW KASTEN, AMT1 RANDALL PURDY, AMT1 JASON FERGUSON, AET2 NATHAN LACROIX, AET2 BRENNAN BRIDGEFORD, AMT3 JOSEPH MACKEY

2008 HC-130 CREW, AS KODIAK LT STEVE MCKECHNIE, CDR PAUL TITCOMBE, AMT1 SHAWN CALLIS, AET1 KEVIN DURYEA, AET3 JASON MADDUX, AMT3 COREYT STROBEL, AMT3 COLLIN SPENCER

2007 HC-130 crew, AS Elizabeth City LT Paul Beavis, LT Edward Ahlstrand, AMT1 Trey Jones, AET3 Jesse Bennett, AMT2 Stacey Sorenson, AET3 Ryan Cantu, AMT3 Casey Green

2006 HU-24 CREW, ATC MOBILE LT ANTHONY CELLA, LT STEVEN TALICK, AMT2 RALPH TURNER, AMT3 BOBBY ACREE, AET2 ANDREW GOODISON

2005 HC-130 CREW, AS KODIAK LCDR TODD SCHMIDT, LT STEVEN MCKECHNIE, AMT1 KEVIN KEARNS, AET1MARTIN, AMT2 NORIEGA, AMT2 THOMAS AUITO, AET2 SCOTT MARET

2004 HC-130 CREW, AS KODIAK LCDR Timothy Tobiasz (Aircraft Commander), LCDR Kenneth Harman (Flight Surgeon), LT Eric Storch (Copilot), AMT1 Curtis Jones (Dropmaster), AMT2 Bryan Stewart (Flight Engineer), AET2 Kevin Martin (Navigator), AET2 Daniel Buress, (Radio Operator), AMT3 Anthony Zalocki (Loadmaster) and HS2 Christopher Burnside (Aviation Mission Specialist—Corpsman)

2003 HC-130 CREW, AS ELIZABETH CITY LCDR MICHAEL CALLAHAN, LT ALAN HANSEN, AMTC HOWARD REED, AVT2 PHILIP BENTON, AVT3 BEAU STOUGH, AVT2 BENNET DURHAM, AMT3 CHRISTOPHER TEALL, AMT1 THOMAS BAUGH, AMT3 WENDY MUSSER

2002 HU-25 CREW, AS CAPE COD LT CURTIS SUMROK, LTJG ROB BARTHELMES, AMT2 THOMAS ARNETTE, AVT2 WILLIAM SHRADE

2001 HC-130 CREW, AS CLEARWATER LCDR KIRK BARTNIK, LCDR GEOFF BORREE, LT RONALD DEWITT, LT JONATHAN SPANER, AMT1 STEPHEN

2000 HC-130 CREW, AS ELIZABETH CITY LCDR BILL THOMPSON, LCDR JOHN KEETON, AMT1 JOHN NICHOLSON, AMT1 TIM WALLER, AT1 MIKE MCCLEARY, AMT2 ED HOLLAND, AT2 PAT MUDGE

Demonstrating exceptional leadership, superb technical expertise and professionalism, AMT1 Fontanez was a key in the ATC aviation engineering division as HC-144A night check supervisor, quality assurance inspector and watch captain. His relentless work ethic, propensity to master new aircraft systems, and significant efforts mentoring and leading the workforce proved invaluable to the sustained high level of readiness of the Coast Guard inaugural HC-144A air facility. AMT1 Fontanez was selected for this award from a group of twenty-two nominations of highly skilled and dedicated professional technicians from across Coast Guard aviation, a testament to the talent, character and devotion of the Coast Guard aviation maintenance workforce.

The Coast Guard Aviation Association annually presents the Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Oliver F. Berry Aviation Maintenance Award to an aviation technician who has demonstrated exceptional performance and enhanced the overall quality of Coast Guard aviation maintenance.

2009 AMT2 Brandon Smith, CGAS San Diego
2008 AMT2 Bryan Patrick, CGAS San Francisco
2007 AMT2 David Parker, CGAS Houston
2006 AMT1 Cletis Milan, CGAS Elizabeth City
2005 AMT1 Randy Losada, CGAS Miami
2004 AM1 Brad Barrington, CGAS San Diego
2003 CWO Pete Fonticoba, CGAS Miami

Coast Guard Aviation Association

Coast Guard Aviation Association Awards

2010 Coast Guard Aviation Association Awards

Captain Marion “Gus” Shrode Flight Safety Award

Nomination Summary

PAST RECIPIENTS

Captain Frank Erickson Rotary Wing Rescue Award

Nomination Summary

PAST RECIPIENTS

Commander Elmer Stone Fixed Wing Rescue Award

Nomination Summary

PAST RECIPIENTS

Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Oliver Berry Aviation Maintenance Award

Nomination Summary

PAST RECIPIENTS

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