U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - District 11 South - Division 1 - Flotilla 4

Flotilla 1-4 Updates

The wearing of anti-exposure suits is now required when the water temperature is less than 60 degrees. Please follow this link to view an image of Flotilla members Bill Andersen, Bill Dabbs, and Carl Emerich wearing anti-exposure suits while on patrol on January 25.
New versions of the 7030 Mission Activity Report and 7038 Vessel Examination Activity Report are now available. Please visit the National Forms Site for the updated versions.
Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters overseas have demonstrated the importance of being prepared in your home for emergencies. Don't think disasters can happen here in San Diego? San Diego is vulnerable to earthquakes, and is the strategic location of many military installations. Follow this link to an American Red Cross site for disaster preparedness for your home.
Photos from the Parade of Ships in San Diego Bay during Fleet Week (October 1) are now available! Please follow this link to view the photo gallery, submitted courtesy of Flotilla 1-4 member Vlad Tovbin.
Please follow this link for the latest on the Coast Guard Auxiliary's extensive involvement in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For donations, please follow this link.
Flotilla 1-4's web site won the Best of Web award again! We are runner-up (in the nation) for best Flotilla web site!! This honor was announced at the National Convention in Miami and the Flotilla will receive a certificate and prestigious 1 star logo for use on our web page. Special thanks to all who have contributed to the web site, who are too numerous to name.
The new Coast Guard Indoctrination Course is an excellent introduction to the Coast Guard (Gold Side) which provides invaluable information to Auxiliarists. The course covers the following topics:
- Rendering salutes and greetings
- Recognizing ranks, rates, and badges
- Displaying proper grooming standards
- Wearing various uniforms
- Identifying shipboard structures and various vessels and aircraft
The Flotilla Commander would like to remind Auxiliarists that a new version of the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual is now available for viewing or download from the Chief Director's web site. This manual should be reviewed or kept handy by all Auxiliarists who are involved with Auxiliary Operations. Warning - this is a very large (11.2 MB) file and may take some time to download on a slow connection.

The Laurel Street VE Station is now opening every first Saturday of the month. It has been a great success already. We are working closely with the San Diego Mooring Company in providing information to all the boaters that are on mooring in the bay. We always have a good time down at the VE Station and it is a great place to learn and practice communications on the VHF radio (must be under the supervision of a qualified operator if not comms. qualified.), and is a great place to meet and hang out with each other. We meet for breakfast at the base, "best breakfast I’ve ever had for under $2.00," have some coffee and then go to the VE Station. I prefer to walk from the CG Base to the VE Station as it is not far. It’s really nice on the sea front, get a little exercise and assist our fellow boaters. If anyone is interested in joining us down there or any of the other scheduled Vessel Examination events please contact Scott Berg or Mark Ackley. We would love to have you.
Volunteers are needed for the Visitor Center and Education Office at Activities San Diego. Contact your Flotilla Commander at fc@sandiegocgaux.org if interested in assisting.
Reminder to all members that the Vice Flotilla Commander is looking for suggestions for fellowship opportunities (the 4th cornerstone).
Dock Walking remains extremely important to the security of the Bay. This program is critical in making our Bay safer as our random presence is a deterrent to those that mean our country harm. It is also a great way to get to know your Bay area and learn to identify something that is out of the ordinary. You could be the one that thwarts some ones plans to do our Nation harm. We can make a difference, so if anyone has been thinking about participating in this program please, contact Pete Marto to set it up. Dock Walking is a great way to get some walking in, show a presence on our Bay, be the eyes and ears for the Coast Guard, and have a good time with other members.
Protect your Windows computer from dangerous "spyware" and viruses – you definitely don't want these to ruin your day. (You won't need any protection on a Mac.) Run one "anti-virus" and at least one "spyware blocker" regularly to keep you computer running smoothly, or running at all.

avast! Home Edition (anti-virus)
AVG Free Edition (anti-virus)
Ad-Aware Personal (spyware blocker)
Spybot Search and Destroy (spyware blocker)

Please click on these links for the best FREE software available today – be sure to choose "free editions" designed for personal use.
Anyone speaking a foreign language is encouraged to join the Interpreter Corps. Notify Carl Emerich and he will pass the information to the RCO.
The District is looking for Auxiliarists interested in training to become Coastie operators. This remote controlled Auxiliary Facility requires a navigator and a communicator to participate in Public Affairs engagements at many different types of functions. Contact Bill Andersen for a prospective class.

Flotilla 1-4 Updates appreciates submissions from Flotilla members