Welcome to the Response Web Site
Response Directorate
The Response Directorate is responsible for the Auxiliary programs that support members and assets participating in Surface, Aviation and Telecommunication missions, on behalf of the US Coast Guard. Toward that goal, the Response Directorate will identify the response needs of the Coast Guard, during normal and accelerated operational tempos, and develop relevant competencies to provide a safe, robust and capable volunteer contingent as a part of Coast Guard Forces. With oversight provided by the Auxiliary National Executive Committee (NEXCOM) and working closely with the Chief Director’s Office, and other Coast Guard Headquarters Units, we craft standards for staffing, training and equipping our people and maintaining our assets so that they are fully capable to meet mission requirements.
As a directorate, we continue to be guided by the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty, the Coast Guard Auxiliary Strategic Plan, and our Directorate’s bywords to insure that our programs are S.A.F.E. (“Safe, Adaptable, Fun and Effective”). We strive for transparency at all levels of the directorate’s organization and welcome feedback and questions from members. We seek to provide member satisfaction in our programs by providing accurate and authoritative answers to the many questions fielded by the Response team.
The Surface Operations Division is divided into three branches that support the 6,000 qualified boat crew members in the Auxiliary Surface Program.
Our Safety Branch focuses on ensuring the safe execution of the surface operations mission. The Safety Branch is responsible to collect and analyze national mishap information to identify systemic risks and hazards that might compromise the safety of surface personnel. Working collaboratively with District Staff Officers, local hazards and safety concerns are identified and, combined with the national mishap data to help the Surface Operations Division develop “best safety practices” that address risks and hazards.
The Qualifications Branch leads the development of high quality standards and qualification guidelines that reflect both the rigor of the Coast Guard’s operational standards and the diverse nature of the Auxiliary mission and platform. This branch provides regular review of surface operational doctrine such as policy, training and qualification manuals. Finally, the Qualifications branch organizes and facilitates the CG Auxiliary Standardization (STAN) Team, which promotes an ongoing dialogue with Coast Guard and Auxiliary leadership and supports a nimble response to timely operational issues.
Within the Surface Division, the Special Projects Branch leads the development of member ready resources, including best practices guides and deliverables in support of safety, qualifications, training and other key components of the Surface Operations Division.
Within its program management responsibilities the Aviation Division designs and develops program components that focus on safety, aircraft maintenance, continuing education, and currency maintenance for our leaders, pilots and other crewmembers. The Division also provides subject matter expertise and consultation on Auxiliary aviation concerns to Coast Guard headquarters program management leadership, the Chief Director’s office, and NEXCOM. In addition, they also provide consultation and support to the District staff members who are charged with the responsibility for the Aviation operation in the field on Coast Guard and Auxiliary policy, and aviation safety.
The Division has branches in several major areas of expertise, including training, aero medical, flight safety, flight standards, and management. Highly skilled and competent aviators are vital to support safe and effective execution of Coast Guard and CG Auxiliary missions.
Our Flight Standards Branch leads the development of high quality standards and qualification guidelines that reflect both the rigor of the Coast Guard’s operational standards and the diverse nature of the Auxiliary mission and platform. The Branch organizes and facilitates the CG Auxiliary Standardization (STAN) Team, which promotes an ongoing dialogue with Coast Guard and Auxiliary leadership to recommend policy.
The Training Branch focused on upgrading Coast Guard Auxiliary aviation instructional programs (C-Schools) and on extending the reach of those programs while exercising sound fiscal stewardship. By design, the Training Branch emphasizes continuing education, and currency maintenance for our leaders, pilots, and other crewmembers.
The Administration Branch is focused on aviation program management, aircraft maintenance requirements and support for District administrative tracking.
Within the Aviation Division, the Safety Branch places a high level of emphasis on safety. These experienced aviators, review mishap data and safety initiatives from both Coast Guard and civilian safety professional to provide the latest trends to safely enhance aviation operations. Working with the Training Branch, the Safety Branch provides instruction in areas such as human factors and crew resource management.
The division is composed of four branches having responsibility for Coast Guard Support, Contingency Communications, Qualification and Training, and Program Integration.
Auxiliary Communications Program is the umbrella under which assets may be strategically combined to meet the requirements of the Coast Guard, the Auxiliary District Commodores, and the recreational boating public. More than 8,500 Telecommunications Operator qualified members participate in the program.
In addition to many important VHF (short range) communications missions that support recreational boating safety, the ACP directly supports the active duty Coast Guard with its Auxiliary HF (long range) capabilities. HF radio facilities are engaged in the 24/7 Auxiliary Monitoring Mission. This program is a key mechanism that provides the ability to gauge the effectiveness and quality of U.S. Coast Guard’s broadcasts within the U.S. 200-mile territorial limit.
Augmentation Communications supports the USCG Communications Command ,Sectors, and other Coast Guard commands that require additional coverage of HF/MF Digital Distress frequencies during storms, communications outages, and other disruptive events.
The Education Division supports all Auxiliarists involved in Surface Operations, Telecommunications, and AUXAIR.
The Web Master Branch is responsible for developing and maintaining the Directorate web site including pages for the general public, all Auxiliarists and the more secured member sections which require password access to web pages and documents.
The Instructor Branch, in collaboration with the other Divisions, develops the annual workshops for Surface Operations, Telecommunications and Auxiliary Air units. This branch is responsible for the Organizational Risk Management/Team Coordination Training Auxiliary courses and the currency maintenance exercises.
The Safety Branch of the Education Division focuses on supporting the Safety branches in the other divisions by providing support, input, review, tips, and recommendations for the annual workshops, TCT currency maintenance exercises, Web Safety pages, and the Directorate publication The Responder.
The Editor Branch is responsible for gathering articles, editing, and publishing the Directorate newsletter The Responder.
In the air, on land, and on the water
Telecommunications, Surface and Air Facilities
Auxiliary Aviation Maintenance Policy Change
The Coast Guard has implemented a major change in policy for Auxiliary Aviation (AUXAIR). The legacy policy requiring strict adherence to a manufacturer’s recommendation for time-between-overhauls (TBO) for engines and propellers has been replaced in favor of a policy that requires specific inspections and condition monitoring for all AUXAIR aircraft.
The Coast Guard Headquarters message on the Updated Aviation Facility Maintenance Policy can be found at this link. For additional information and clarifications see the FAQ document at this link and the Response Directorate's white paper at this link.
New Initial and 5-Year Currency TCT Program
AOM - Auxiliary Order Management
The AUXDATA Order Management system, which is the much-anticipated replacement for the legacy Patrol Order Management System (POMS) is now available. AOM is not an “upgraded” POMS, rather, it is an entirely new program created just for the Auxiliary. Click on this link for the reference guide and more information.
CG and CGAUX important new initiative
An important mission of the Auxiliary is providing support for active duty Coast Guard units. To assist Auxiliary units in improving this support, the National Staff have developed some “best practice” guidelines. This guidance was endorsed by the NEXCOM and was published by the NACO in his NACO Guidance #8 message.
We encourage you to read the NACO’s message and to follow the link. Please read the linked document. It provides time tested guidance on promoting and marketing Auxiliary units to their counterpart active duty units. It is anticipated that this will stimulate improved interaction with active duty units and will result in more opportunity for Auxiliarists to participate in support missions.
Please follow this link for more information