Coast Guard Aviation Association

2016 Roost

October 27-30 | Mobile, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama has been designated a “Coast Guard City” since USCGC EAGLE delivered her proclamation during Mobile’s Tri-Centennial Celebration in 2002. What better place to celebrate our Centennial than in Mobile – home to over 900 active duty and 500 retired Coasties.

Photo Album

Below are photo galleries and video contributed by members. You can search to sort the visible elements by keyword.

Naval Aviation Museum

Dave and Vicki's Reception

2016 Roost Business Meeting

Battleship Park Picnic

RADM Bob Johanson: Distinguished Public Service Award

Roost - Ancient Albatross Remarks

Coast Guard Medal - ASTC Spencer

Berry Aviation Maintenance Award

Captain Les High

2016 Roost Awards - Capt Dan Burbank

2016 Roost Activities

Gulfquest

October 27-30

Self-Directed Tours

You will be VERY surprised by the growth of Mobile since your last visit. There are several new and exciting exhibits near the hotel. Ride The Wave – a FREE shuttle bus – if you need to get around downtown.

GulfQuest – A new interactive Maritime Museum dedicated to the historical, cultural and economic significance of the Gulf of Mexico. Allow 3-4 hours to enjoy the 90 interactive exhibits, theaters and displays. Make sure you start on the 5th deck and ask for the USCG simulated rescue mission in the Mobile River.

Mobile Carnival Museum – Mobile is the “birthplace” of Mardi Gras. (New Orleans came many years later) See dozens of ball gowns, costumes, floats and other Mardi Gras memorabilia.

Gulf Coast Exploreum and Science Center: Located across from the hotel, Exploreum has more than 150 interactive exhibits, thought provoking large than life IMAX films, and fun, hands-on educational programming. The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center aspires to increase science literacy among the people of south Alabama and Gulf Coast region, residents and visitors alike. Special discounts for seniors (60+).

5 Rivers – Alabama’s Delta Resource Center – Experience the Delta for yourself with a 2 hour cruise on the 5 Rivers Delta Safaris pontoon boat, “The Pelican”. The Captain leads daily excursions Wednesday – Sunday.

The Museum of Mobile: Located behind the Exploreum. Explore 300 years of Mobile history and material culture in the 1857 National Landmark building, the Southern Market/Old City Hall. Visit the museum and learn about the life and times of a great Gulf Coast City. Don’t miss the exciting changing exhibition galleries, the hands-on Discovery Room and the museum’s store, The Shop in the Southern Market. Check on line for the current attractions/movies.

Check your welcome packet or more ideas or ask your Mobile Ptero for directions and ideas for good restaurants downtown or on the Causeway.

Golf at Mobile, Al

October 27, Thursday

EVENT #1 – Centennial Golf Tournament, 0830 Shotgun Start

Drive to the Magnolia Grove Golf Course (Falls Course) for an 0830 Shotgun start.  Format will be a 4 person scramble.  Lunch and prizes will follow in the clubhouse.  This event will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ATC Mobile.  We will ask local business to sponsor teams.  Corporate Sponsorships are available – contact Pat Brennan at (586)-322-9819 for more information.

Cost Military (active & retired) – $70
Civilian –  $100

Event #2 – Cocktails on the Island – 1800-2200 

Drive (or take the bus) 30 minutes south to Dave & Vicki Connolly’s house on Dauphin Island. Directions are in your welcome packet. Vicki has a reputation as “the Hostess with the mostess” so we know you will have a great evening.

Cost – $20 for bus (optional-you can drive yourself and still attend for no charge)

CG Exhibit-Naval Aviation Museum

October 28, Friday

Event #3 – National Naval Aviation Museum, 0830-1600

Four buses are scheduled to take 200 Pteros and their fine feathered friends to the National Naval Aviation Museum.  Buses will leave between 0830 and 0900 and will return to the hotel before 1600.  The bus ride (approximately 75 minutes) will give you a chance to socialize with your fellow Pteros before you arrive at one of the world’s largest aviation museums with over 150 beautifully restored aircraft on display.  Your tour guides will bring you to Elmer Stone’s original NC-4 aircraft.  Next stop – the new Coast Guard Exhibit in Hangar Bay One.  Here you can sit in the Malcom Smith memorial HH-52 CPT, see Frank Ericksons HNS-1 and watch historical videos.  A total of nine Coast Guard aircraft are on display in “period” colors.  A huge P-5M in Navy colors shares our space – but we all know the Coast Guard had a “bunch of them” in WWII.

Lunch will be served in the Cubi-Point Bar and additional tours will follow as time permits.  The 75-minute ride home will allow you time to relax and get ready for the evening reception.

Cost- Bus ride and lunch is only $40 per person.

Note – You can drive your POV to the museum BUT you must enter NAS Pensacola via the West Gate on Blue Angels Parkway.  You will also be on your own for lunch.

Suggestion – Hop on the bus and leave the driving to us.  You will have more fun!

Event #4 – Evening Reception, 1800-2200

Walk from the hotel using the bridge over Water Street, to the Mobile Convention Center.  Our reception will be held on the lower level by the Mobile River.  AUSTAL’s LCS shipyard is on the other side of the river and two LCS vessels will be visible – close aboard.  You might also see some Coast Guard helos and vessels nearby.  Enjoy a festive buffet of food and drinks (cash bar) while listening to a small “steel band” playing Island music and tunes.

Cost $45 per person.

ATC Mobile

October 29, Saturday

EVENT #5 –  Business Meeting and State of Coast Guard Aviation – 0800 -1030

The meeting will be in the hotel.  Lots of good things to celebrate and new plans to formulate.  Make sure you are there.

Coffee and pastries, $5/person

EVENT #6 – Tour ATC Mobile, 1100

Board a bus at 1100 or 1130 or drive your car to ATC Mobile to celebrate ATC’s 50th Birthday (6 weeks early).  Lots of special events, aircraft of all types, Albatross rides (for a lucky few) – static displays of modern and vintage aircraft and lunch in Hangar One.

Bus Rides – $20/each
Lunch – $15/each

EVENT #7 – Awards Banquet – 1900

Meet at 1800 for cocktails (cash bar) with dinner at 1900 in the hotel banquet area.   Join us for this special event along with over 400 of your fellow Coast Guard aviation personnel and their friends.  Choose your meal from one of the three choices available on the signup form.

Cost $65 per person

USS Alabama

October 30, Sunday

Event #8: Into The Storm Video, 0800 – 1000:

A “Gathering of Eagles” in the hotel to view the video of the May 2016 NAMF Symposium, Coast Guard Air– Into The Storm For 100 Years.

Coffee and pastries, $5

Event #9: Picnic at the Battleship, 1130 – 1600

Picnic at Battleship Alabama Memorial Park. Visit the HU-16 2129 (recently painted by the ATC Mobile Chiefs – see the new Fallen Guardian Monument (with HH-52 1378 and 2 Rescue boats) and the HO-4S 1258.  Enjoy a fabulous southern shrimp boil and BBQ lunch. Musical entertainment will be provided.

Bus transportation $10, Lunch $35.