Coast Guard Aviation Association

Coast Guard Aviation Association Awards

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.

Captain Marion “Gus” Shrode Flight Safety Award

AirSta Clearwater Av Safety Dept
LCDR Heather Majeska
LCDR Dave McCarthy
LT Dustin Burton,
LT David Wright,
LTJG Carter Schlank,
MST1 Lizette Guiterrez

Nomination Summary

During the period of 01 June 2016 to 31 May 2017, the Clearwater Safety Department exhibited extraordinary performance. They created a Facility Emergency Action Plan that provided all members of the unit with initial actions and steps during base emergencies; implemented innovative risk management solutions to identify, assess, and control hazards; improved effectiveness of unit feedback to advance air station assurance activities; and enhanced the safety culture of the unit through tireless promotion and training.

This Safety Department developed a robust Commanding Officer’s Aviation Safety Policy Statement plus they reorganized and rewrote the unit’s Mishap Response Plan (MRP) which optimized communication, improved chain of command access to critical post-mishap information and codified best practices to ensure the preservation of perishable evidence. As a result of their efforts, this product has been recognized by COMDT (CG-1131) as a best-practice and has become a template for all future MRPs.

Finally, they enhanced the Operational Risk Management (ORM) brief to include the evaluation of mission gain, not simply evaluating risk to the crew. This enabled aircrews to better assess the mission while balancing crew safety and mission execution. The ASCW Safety Department embodies the Commandant’s guiding principles of Duty to People and Commitment to Excellence.

THEIR PERFORMANCE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE LEGACY OF CAPTAIN SHRODE AND A CREDIT TO COAST GUARD AVIATION AND THE PROFESSION OF AVIATION SAFETY.

PAST RECIPIENTS

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.

2017 LCDR Heather Majeska, LCDR Dave McCarthy, LT Dustin Burton, LT David Wright, LTJG Carter Schlank, AND MST1 Lizette Guiterrez, AirSta Clearwater Av Safety Dept
2016 LCDR James Cooley, CGAS Astoria
2015 LT Daniel Crowley, CGAS Houston
2014 Air Station Cape Cod Safety Department: LT Arthur Mahar, LT Garin Kirkpatrick, LT Kimberly Hess
2013 AS North Bend Safety Department: LCDR Jason Gelfand, LT Caroline Kearney
2012 AS Humboldt Bay Safety Department: LT Kelly Deuterman, LT Terrance Herdliska
2011 AS E-City Safety Department: LT Jeremy Davis, LT Thomas Huntley, LT Nicholas Hazlett
2010 AS Los Angeles Safety Department: LT Patrick Dill, LT Barry Miles, LT Joel Cooper (RAN)
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

Captain Frank Erickson Rotary Wing Rescue Award

Sector North Bend crew of CGNR 6559
LT Zachary M. Wiest
LT Wesley C. Jones
AMT1 Jason R. Caristo
AST3 Chad M. Morris

Nomination Summary

The Captain Frank A. Erickson Award is presented to Sector North Bend crew of CGNR 6559, LT Wiest, LT Jones, AMT2 Caristo, and AST3 Morris, in recognition of their heroic efforts on 14 February 2017, responding to two people trapped inside a waterline cave near Yachats, Oregon. The crew of 6559 conducted a coastal search and observed a State Trooper lying on his stomach at the top of a 50 foot sheer cliff illuminating a cave entrance with a flashlight. Shortly thereafter, a survivor emerged, plunged into the 50 degree water and began frantically waving his arms. LT Jones immediately recognized that only 10 minutes of on scene flight time remained. Noting that high tide would not return for another two hours the crew made the difficult decision to return to Air Facility Newport to refuel. This ultimately allowed the crew more time to evaluate the treacherous hoisting area inundated with 30 knot turbulent winds and 8 foot crashing waves.

Upon returning to the scene, it was determined that the safest place to deploy the Rescue Swimmer was to a small group of rocks at water level directly outside the cave opening. Since the prevailing winds were from the South, LT Wiest, in the left seat, conducted the hoists with the unobstructed visibility of the rising terrain. Despite widely varying power requirements and blinding headlights from vehicles transiting on an adjacent highway, LT Wiest maintained a 200 foot hover with the assistance of LT Jones handling all external communications and monitoring aircraft systems to ensure helicopter limitations were not exceeded. Visually impaired by darkness and distance, AMT2 Caristo carefully managed the large swing arc and kept AST3 Morris and the hoist cable from impacting the knife edge cliff. Executing the hoists with the hoisting door away from the cliff, AMT2 Caristo precisely deployed AST3 Morris to the targeted group of rocks. Without hesitation, AST3 Morris disconnected from the hoist hook and made his way to the cave entrance. AST3 Morris struggled through chest deep water and breaking surf with only a small flashlight to reach the cave entrance and the barely visible victim. Upon reaching the first survivor, AST3 Morris quickly calmed the frantic young man as he tried to assess the deteriorating situation. The survivor was extremely hypothermic, bleeding from head to toe, with large cuts and gouges on his legs.

The survivor informed AST3 Morris that his friend had fallen into the water and that he jumped in after him in an attempt to save his life. The two survivors stayed together for approximately 15 minutes immersed in the cold ocean, when suddenly they were picked up by a large wave, thrown against the sharp rocks, and swept into a cave. Fearing that he could possibly lose the most critical survivor, AST3 Morris trudged 60 feet into the cave to find the second victim. In doing so, AST3 Morris had to blindly navigate sharp rocks and deep crevasses to reach the back of the cavern. Locating and towing the semi-conscious survivor, AST3 Morris, slowly retraced his steps to the cave entrance. He reacquired the first survivor and brought them to the hoisting area. As the helicopter lowered the rescue device, AST3 Morris used all of his physical strength to shield the survivors from the crashing waves. The crew agreed on the utilization of three trail lines, totaling 315 feet, to maintain adequate control of the rescue devices and the recoveries of AST3 Morris and the survivors. After two difficult hoists into the helicopter, the two young men were delivered safely to emergency medical personnel where they made a full recovery.

PAST RECIPIENTS

PAST RECIPIENTS

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

2017 North Bend crew of CGNR 6559
LT Zachary Wiest, LT Wesley Jones, AMT2 Jason Caristo, and AST3 Chad Morris

2016 CGNR 6032 crew, AS Sitka
LCDR Christopher S. Stoeckler, LT Matthew R. Herring, AET3 Class Jeremy A. Reed, AST2 Class Brendan D.Dent, HS2 Class Ryan F. Ransom

2015 MH-60 CGNR 6033 crew AS Cape Cod
LT John D. Hess, LT Matthew R. Vanderslice, AMT2 Derrick P Suba, AST3 Evan A. Staph

2014 MH-65 CGNR 6515 crew, AS San Francisco
LCDR James Kenshalo, LT Beau Belanger, AST3 Corey Fix, AMT2 Travis Swain

2013 MH60T CGNR 6012 crew, Elizabeth City
LCDR Steven Cerveny, LT Jane Pena, AMT3 Michael Lufkin, AST2 Randy Haba

2012 HH-60 CG-6010 Crew, AS Kodiak
CDR Matthew Breckel, LT John Filipowicz, AMT2 Joshua Harris, AST2 Steven Fischer

2011 HH-60 CG-6013 crew, AS Kodiak
LCDR JAMES HARKINS, LT CHRISTOPHER STOECKLER, AET2 DAVID BALL, AST2 MICHAEL GERENT

2010 HH-65C crew, AS Atlantic City
LCDR Sean O’Brien, LT Neal Corbin, AMT2 Ian Berg, AST2 David Downham

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

Commander Elmer Stone Fixed Wing Rescue Award

Air Station Cape Cod crew of CGNR 2317
CDR Hester
LCDR O’Brien
AMT2 Guillermo
AMT3 Carter

Nomination Summary

The Commander Elmer F. Stone Award is presented to Air Station Cape Cod crew of CGNR 2317, CDR Hester, LCDR O’Brien, AMT2 Guillermo, and AMT3 Carter, in recognition of their heroic efforts on 1 December 2016, in responding to a critically ill newborn on Martha’s Vineyard. The crew of 2317 was dispatched from Air Station Cape Cod as a severe winter storm passed through the region, grounding civilian life flight services. In visibility barely above the minimum required for takeoff, 2317 departed for Boston’s Logan Airport to retrieve a specialized neonatal team comprised of five medical professionals and an Isolette unit (incubator for newborns) needed to safeguard the infant during flight in the HC-144. After navigating through heavy rain which severely limited visibility and caused dramatic wind shear, CDR Hester initiated and successfully completed a challenging instrument approach, continuing below the minimum descent altitude with only the approach lighting system visible, before finally acquiring the runway at just 180 feet.

During the demanding approach, LCDR O’Brien acted as the Safety Pilot delivering calm and precise support enabling well coordinated Crew Resource Management to minimize the significant risks associated with operating in the region’s busiest airspace. After landing, AMT2 Guillermo and AMT3 Carter conducted a comprehensive safety brief, rapidly loaded the five member team and Isolette and completed an essential performance check to ensure all of the required medical equipment was functioning properly. With the weather deteriorating, 2317 departed for Martha’s Vineyard. While en route, LCDR O’Brien continuously updated the aircraft’s flight management system to reflect changing winds and weather conditions, calculated aircraft performance for the next phase of the mission, and coordinated with Air Traffic Control to request priority handling. Arriving in the terminal area of Martha’s Vineyard, the crew discovered that ceilings on the island had dropped to 200 feet, which compelled them to once again initiate another difficult instrument approach. Commander Hester flew the precision approach to a safe landing despite the treacherous wind shear that subjected the aircraft to dangerous and unpredictable buffeting just prior to touching down, at times requiring nearly full deflection of the flight controls to remain on profile.

Once on deck at the airport, Petty Officers Guillermo and Carter immediately took charge of the medical team and shepherded them safely off the aircraft and facilitated their movement around the hazardous spinning propellers. After working to stabilize the infant for two hours on deck, the neonatal team informed the air crew that the Isolette’s oxygen supply would be entirely depleted in 35 minutes, placing the newborn in grave danger. Racing against the clock, Petty Officers Guillermo and Carter quickly secured the Isolette and the medical team in the cabin for the turbulent flight back to Boston. 2317 proceeded directly to Logan Airport where LCDR O’Brien took the flight controls for the completion of the crew’s third instrument approach to landing, breaking out at the decision altitude. Expert coordination with Boston’s ground controllers allowed 2317 to rapidly taxi through the heavily trafficked airport, delivering the infant to advanced medical care with only minutes of oxygen remaining.

PAST RECIPIENTS

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

2017 CREW OF HC-130 1790, CGAS BARBER’S POINT LCDR ANTONE ALONGI LT MATTHEW CHASE, AMTC JAMES STARR, AET1 CLASS WILLIAM OSTERHOUT, AET2 CLASS ROBERT WANDELL, AMT2 CLASS JEREMY ANDREWS, AMT2 DAELYN CHANEY

2016 CREW OF HC-130 1790, CGAS BARBER’S POINT LCDR ANTONE ALONGI LT MATTHEW CHASE, AMTC JAMES STARR, AET1 CLASS WILLIAM OSTERHOUT, AET2 CLASS ROBERT WANDELL, AMT2 CLASS JEREMY ANDREWS, AMT2 DAELYN CHANEY

2015 HC-144 CGNR 2309 CREW, CGAS CAPE COD LT JAMISON R. FERRIELL, LT ERIK J. PRICE, AMT3 ERIC C. WOODS, AMT3 CHRISTOPHER S. LELYO

2014 HC-144 CGNR 2309 CREW, CGAS CAPE COD LT DUSTIN LEE, LT STEVEN VANDERLASKE, AMT1 STEPHEN UNDERWOOD, AMT3 ERIC WOODS

2013 HC-130J CGNR 2004 CREW, CGAS ELIZABETH CITY LT MICHAEL MYERS, LTJG FRANK MCINTOSH, AMT3 ERIC LASTER, AMT3 JESSE EMBERT, AMT1 HECTOR RIOS, AET1 JOSHUA ADAMS, AET3 JOSHUA VARGO

2012 HC-130 CGNR 1790 CREW. AS KODIAK LT ISRAEL YOUNG, LT JEANINE MENZE, LCDR MICHAEL BENSON, AET1 RODERICK HANSON, AMTC PAUL HENNING, AET3 DANE BUTLER, AMT1 JARED MORRISON, AET3 CLARK PATTERSON

2011 HC-144 CGNR 2306 CREW, AS MIAMI LT STACIA PARROTT, LTJG DANIEL FEIRMAN, AET1 THOMAS MORRELL, AMT2 CASEY GREEN, AMT2 JACOB EIDE, AET3 JEREMY CHURCH

2010 HC-130 CREW, AS BARBERS POINT LT DAVID SHOOK, LTJG PHILLIP ORTEGA, AET1 ROBERT BLUME, AET2 MICHAEL HOUSE, AMT3 CASE MCCRODEN, AMT3 PAUL JOHNSON

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

Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Oliver Berry Aviation Maintenance Award

AMT1 John Levi T. Berg, Aviation Logistics Center

Nomination Summary

AMT1 John Levi T. Berg of the aviation logistics center (ALC) has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 chief Oliver F. Berry Aviation Maintenance Award. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, superb technical expertise, and professionalism, he played a key role in the ALCS medium range recovery (MRR) product line and the entire MH-60 fleet.
 AMT1 Berg was instrumental in the final assembly, documentation review, and functional check flight support for nine H-60T helicopters. Despite a strict induction schedule, he led his team through four simultaneous aircraft maintenance evolutions – two PDM aircraft, one test and evaluation aircraft, and one Navy conversion aircraft. His exceptional maintenance efforts led to the early completion of two Navy H-60 conversion aircraft utilized for the successful transition from H-65 to H-60T helicopters at air station traverse city. Distinguishing himself as MRR engineerings technical expert, AMT1 Berg assumed the role as the MH-60 fleets structural technical services and corrosion representative. In this capacity, he enhanced processes used on the product line and improved maintenance procedures for the H-60 fleet. AMT1 Berg’s actions resulted in an improved cold working process of main transmission beams saving hundreds of depot labor hours. He implemented new repair procedures for changes in engine wire harnesses and he identified and authored a critical repair change to traffic alert antenna maintenance procedures. AMT1 Berg also reverse engineered the pilot/crew seat inspection and rebuild processes to make critical components uniform across the MH-60 fleet.

PAST RECIPIENTS

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.

2017 AMT1 John Levi T. Berg, Aviation Logistics Center
2016 AMT1 Jeremiah D. Branscomb, Aviation Logistics Center
2015 AMTC Joshua E. Vogan, CGAS Barbers Point
2014 AMT2 Christopher J. Roode of CGAS Elizabeth City
2013 AMTC Kevin Deininger, CGAS Barbers Point
2012 AMT1 Lawrence Peranto, CGAS Kodiak
2011 AMT1 Jacob Linder, CGAS Humboldt Bay
2010 AMT1 Frank Fontanez, ATC Mobile
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

The Victor Roulund Rescue Swimmer Meritorious Achievement Award

Awarded every 2 years, last awarded in 2017: ASTCM John F. Hall, USCG ASTCM Scott Dyer, USCG (Ret.) AST1 Richard “Rick” McElrath, USCG (Ret.)

Nomination Summary

During the period of 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015 LT Crowley exhibited superior performance as both the Flight and Ground Safety Officer for Air Station Houston. Working closely with the Air Station Houston command cadre, LT Crowley worked tirelessly to forge an open reporting culture that was founded on the Just Culture ethos and the Commandant’s core values. As a result, Air Station Houston set the standard for the Coast Guard Aviation Community in mishap response, analysis and reporting all of which culminated in a significant reduction in the Air Station Houston mishap rate.

Master Chief John Hall

Master Chief Hall is cited for his work as the Aviation Survival Technician (AST) Branch Chief at the Coast Guard’s Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC) in Elizabeth City, NC. Master Chief Hall, with great leadership, technical skill and initiative, has made tremendous training program innovations and recommendations, which have resulted in an expansion of the curriculum to include an AST preparation course for those with orders to AST “A” School, a formalized and fully supported student re-phase program for ASTs in training with minor injuries, formalization of the Operational Fitness Trainer “C” School for field rescue swimmers, and vast improvements to the galley service at Base Elizabeth City to support the nutritional requirements of AST training.

ASTCM Scott Dyer, USCG (Ret.)

Master Chief Scott Dyer is cited for his three decades of dedicated service to the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Rescue Swimmer program. After being one of the first ten Coast Guard graduates of the U.S. Navy’s rescue swimmer school, Master Chief Dyer was instrumental in serving as one of the key instructors who trained and prepared the first CG helo rescue swimmers at 24 field Air Stations. He made lasting contributions to the development of Direct Deployment procedures, the folding Rescue Basket to meet aircraft cabin size restrictions, the Tri-Laminate Dry Suit, the development of CG HH-60 RS procedures, and the development and implementation of Ice Rescue Procedures. As the only Enlisted Branch Chief at the CG’s Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL, Master Chief Dyer led the Helo RS Standardization Team, ensuring operational procedures were enforced fleet-wide. In addition, he also served as the School Chief for the Advanced Rescue Swimmer School in Astoria, OR, developing and implementing concepts, verifying the curriculum, while evaluating numerous RS procedures and associated equipment. While stationed at CGHQ as the Helo RS Program Mrg., Master Chief Dyer was temporarily detailed to ATC Mobile to supervise & manage all aspects of the Helo RS response during Hurricane Katrina. Finally, Master Chief Dyer also contributed to the RS program by his work contributions as the CG’s Aviation Life Support Equipment Program manager at the Aircraft Repair & Supply Center, now the Air Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC.

AST1 Richard “Rick” McElrath, USCG (Ret.)

Petty Officer McElrath is cited for his service of almost 20 years in the Coast Guard as an Aviation Survivalman (ASM) / Aviation Survival Technician (AST). One of the first 20 CG Helicopter Rescue Swimmers, Petty Officer McElrath was a graduate of the CG’s Advanced RS School, and was an exceptional RS at two Air Stations. But, his more important contributions to the CG’s Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Program have come after his CG Service. Serving first as a Field Terminal Operator at AIRSTA Sitka, AK, Petty Officer McElrath maintained the AIRSTA’s aircraft maintenance publications on his own installed intranet to circumvent numerous Internet outages, allowing all types of aircraft maintenance to continue. Moving to the CG’s Air Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC, he is the Center’s Aviation Life Support Equipment Specialist, where he has supported the CG’s Helo RS Program either directly, or indirectly. Some of his accomplishments include: revised the COMDT Instruction – Aviation Life Support Manual, created & illustrated an Aviation Life Support Process Guide, revised & published the Shallow Water Egress Training Process Guide used for Shallow Water Egress Training (SWET), created or revised all Aviation Life Support Equipment Maintenance Procedure Cards (MPCs), manages the CG’s Aviation Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) Program (1,800+ PLBs at 25 aviation units), cradle to grave discovery, procurement, testing & evaluation, & implementation of the MH-60T auxiliary hoisting system, ensuring mission success, improved safety, & triple risk mitigation during all hoisting evolutions. His vast and timeless experience and expertise in the CG’s Aviation Life Support Program has proven critical to the success of the office, and to the CG’s Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Program.

PAST RECIPIENTS

The Victor Roulund Rescue Swimmer Meritorious Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Rescue Swimmer Program through sustained superior performance, significant initiative in technology or tactics, and unique or extraordinary accomplishments in other areas associated with the Program. This award is sponsored by the Coast Guard Aviation Association and established in 2015.

This award is named in honor of AD2 Victor Roulund, who was assigned to Air Station SanFrancisco, when in late December 1955, he was participating as a flight mechanic aboard CG­1305, an HO4S helicopter. His crew faced daunting weather and rescue challenges in the vicinity of the Yuba River in northern California, where countless homes and people were seriously stricken in extreme flooding conditions throughout the region. AD2 Roulund voluntarily accepted a very risky rescue attempt, after being hoisted down to a trailer home which was floating down the river. Using hand tools and quick intuition, he broke into the home which was nearly fully submerged, and rescued a woman who was completely disabled, and later placed her into the rescue basket for a successful hoist. AD2 Roulund and his fellow aircrew rescued a total of 138 people during a grueling 12 hour period of nonstop action. All four aircrew were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. AD2 Roulund’s actions have since been considered the first example of typical mission challenges faced by present day Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers.

CGAA Rescue Swimmer Meritorious Service Award Criteria

2017   
ASTCM John F. Hall, USCG
ASTCM Scott Dyer, USCG (Ret.)
AST1 Richard “Rick” McElrath, USCG (Ret.)

2015   
ASTCM Thomas “Buck” Beaudry, USCG (AIRSTA Miami)
ASMCM Larry Farmer, USCG (Ret.)
ASTCM Joseph “Butch” Flythe, USCG (Ret.)
ASMCM Darell M. Gelakoska, USCG (Ret.)