Sometimes you win - sometimes you don't

Last Thursday, November 19th., five Coast Guard Auxiliarists spent most of the day perched on mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We were scattered along a 200 mile stretch of the Oregon coast listening on our Marine VHF radios. We were there to intercept any distress calls while the Coast Guard's Rescue 21 system in that area was taken down for scheduled maintenance. However, on that day, we didn't "win" in the sense that the system wasn't taken down, and we were never given the opportunity to perform the mission that we had been tasked to do. That was not the real reason we didn't "win" however. The reason the system did not go down for maintenance was that there was a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission in progress by the time we arrived at our respective locations. Two men had gone missing overnight while fishing from the cliffs about 20 miles South of where I was positioned. The Coast Guard dispatched two different helos and a beach rig from Motor Lifeboat Station Siuslaw River. The Lane County Search and Rescue, Sheriffs, and the local fire department were also involved in the search. Unfortunately, the weather conditions were too severe to allow the search teams to actually get down to where the helo had spotted a fishing rod and two backpacks. The search was called off in the afternoon and the Rescue 21 maintenance was postponed. On the one hand, I suppose I could have been a little miffed that I had to drive 200 miles round trip and spend all day essentially doing nothing. That was not the case, however. What I felt was a profound sadness for the two missing men and their families and friends. Listening to the father of the younger victim on the radio asking for help was gut wrenching. At the end of the day, I and my fellow Auxiliarists went home and at the very least, we had good practice deploying our assets. The two fishermen did not get to go home and there are empty places around tables and in the hearts of their loved ones. In the end, that is why we are the Coast Guard "Guardians." We try to save them all, but sometimes we can't - and that hurts.

Here are a few photos from where I was perched that day. Nothing particularly thrilling. There aren't any people in the photos as I was alone up there. That is the way it usually is for communications types. We don't get the heroic action shots like the rescue swimmers, but the part we play is vital none-the-less.

From Bowramp

From Bowramp

From Bowramp

From Bowramp

Another Blogging Drought

Well it has been months since I posted anything. The reason for that is a combination of a few different factors. I've been pretty busy with work and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In addition, I have recently also done some volunteering aboard the former Navy / Coast Guard ocean going tug Comanche. However, I guess the main reason is that I have become so fed up with "NO". Everywhere I turn, government keeps getting in the way of doing things quicker/cheaper/better. The larger the government, the more obstructionist it seems to be. Unfortunately, since I work at a Federal facility, and am part of the Coast Guard, I am hit with a double whammy from the worst offender -- Uncle Sam.

How I spent my Weekend

I'm standing radio watches at the Coast Guard Rose Festival Command Post. Here are a couple of cell phone pics.


HMCS Algonquin at the quaywall.


LTJG Sulser in the Command Post.


USS Shoup

Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay Change of Command

A beautiful day for a Change of Command. Here are a few pictures I took on my cell phone.


A 47' MLB, The 52' MLB Victory, and a 25' RBS


A view of the Station Admin Building.


Farewell Mr. Alstott, welcome aboard Mr. Jackson.

He Keeps Doing This

First it was "What Kind Of Beer Am I?" Now it's "What Handgun Are You?."

Lex came up as a wimpy beer while I scored Guinness. This time he ends up a 9mm while I get .40 cal.

Gotta be s "shoe" thing :-)

I am a: Glock Model 22 in 40 cal

What kind of handgun are YOU?

Of course, Lex is a WAY more prolific blogger than I - like maybe 500:1

Lex wishes he were darker

I guess we Mustangs have more working class cred, Lex.

From Bowramp

Here's my score. Your results may vary.

Old Home Week

I think I mentioned the other day that I was stationed in the Norfolk area a long time ago. In fact, this trip was the first time I had been back there in 33 years. Since the Norfolk airport was only a couple of miles from Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and I had some time to kill before my flight, I decided to drop in and see what changes had been made. First off, I visited Assault Craft Unit Two, my old unit and there she was -- the LCU-1661, my old boat.

From Bowramp

From Bowramp

I sweet-talked the crew into a tour and probably bored them with a few (OK, a lot) of sea stories. There had been a few minor changes, but it was the same old girl. It's sad to think she is the only one of the many ships and craft that I sailed on that is still in service. She must be nearly 40 years old now.