Welcome to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 10-20:

Air Station Caldwell!

(Be aware, that in order to participate in the AUXAIR program, you must hold an FAA 3rd Class Medical or successfully complete the Auxiliary 7042 Medical Screening form with a doctor; be able to swim 75 yards (in a life jacket and flight suit) and get into a life raft, and meet heightened security requirements.)

 

First, check out the www.cgaux.org website and browse all through it.  Under Aux Members, choose Aux Manuals. Reading the following Manuals in this suggested order will help answer a lot of questions you may have.  The Auxiliary Flotilla Procedures Manual will give a description of how the meetings are run.  The New Member Reference Guide is a familiarization to the Auxiliary. This Guide will be used on the application questionnaire.  The New Member Handbook will give the elected officer information on any Flotilla.  The Auxiliary Manual is “THE MANUAL” for the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  We realize there is a lot of reading however; it will give you a lot of information!

 

Second, come to a Flotilla Meeting!  They are normally held once a month on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00pm at the American Red Cross Building, 209 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004. There you will meet your fellow Auxiliarists and find out more about your volunteer opportunities and how to engage.

 

Third, right from the start, keep records of your travel miles to meetings and classes along with the hours you have logged with anything connected with your Auxiliary activities including studying, reading, traveling, and attending meetings, classes and Flotilla events. When you obtain a member number these will be put on a 7029 form monthly.  This is your "time card" like you would have to fill out for your job, but in this case it earns you recognition and awards, and provides data for Leadership to make decisions and justify funding requests from Congress.  The form is found at www.cgaux.org under Aux Members, and then 7029 Webform. Get familiar with the codes on the use of your volunteered time. Keeping records of your time involved helps the Flotilla maintain all of the volunteer hours.  You can also these records to justify your volunteer expenses on your tax returns.

 

Joining AUXAIR

As you grow, your level of commitment gets deeper.  AUXAIR is an "operational" qualification and you must meet security requirements to participate.  The primary reason for AUXAIR missions is to put an Observer on the target...everyone must therefore qualify as an Observer and work their way through the ratings, regardless of their FAA qualifications and experience.

 

Additionally, even if you are already a Pilot, obtain the checklist from the FSO-HR. Complete the application form with all the requirements that are listed. This may take some time but complete it as soon as you can. This will get the ball rolling for your acceptance into the Flotilla as an Observer, Air Crew or Pilot.

 

The checklist is as follows:

Application form must be completed.Test on the application must be taken.Fingerprints must be taken by the FSO-HRA photo must be taken by the FSO-HR with a red background (in a light blue collared shirt preferably).A copy of your passport must be given.A check addressed to “USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 10-20” for annual dues (prorated).Completing and passing a Boating Course. There is a list of approved Boating Courses on the website cgaux.org under Boating Safety Education.

 

Once this process is completed, hand it in, in its entirety to the FSO-HR. About 3-4 weeks later a temporary letter stating AP (Approval Pending) status will be mailed along with your membership number. This is your member number from now on.

Next with your member number you can access the website at cgaux.org.  Under auxiliary members, visit the Auxiliary directory to obtain/change password. Create your own password.

 

Study the Operation Policy Manual and the Aviation Manual to become an Observer for the USCG Auxiliary. You must pass the 50 question open book Air Observer Exam test A. Attending the Observer class is extremely beneficial. Be prepared when going to class, it may not be the initial start of the class.

Please ask at your first Flotilla meeting when the class started so you will know what chapters to read.

 

To take the test go to the National Testing Center and click on "AIR Aviation Exam Part A." A three hour time limit is set on the test.

 

Attend all Flotilla meetings and classes when able.

 

The Auxiliary's national website contains links to the following:

 

Auxiliary Air Observer Initial Qualification Syllabus

Uniform Procurement Guide

Aux Air Survival Gear Requirements

Pilot/Observer Qualification & Currency Requirements Matrix

Auxiliary Aviation Qualification Guide

 

Here you will also find a connection to the required ICS Courses On-Line. These required courses can also be found at https://training.fema.gov/IS/ When any test is taken be sure to save the certificate for your records. Send them into the appropriate officer in the Flotilla.  A questionnaire for National Security Positions must also be filled out. It can be found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

 

Auxiliary Manual Chapter 10. All uniforms must meet the standards described.

 

A Nomex Flight Suit in Army green can be found online under Coast Guard Uniforms or at an Army/Navy Store.  S-4 Military Surplus at 51 Essex Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (201) 342-3366. The Flight Suits are used. Nomex may no longer be effective, but it’s a great place to get your proper sizes or a spare suit. Along with the flight suit, black t-shirt, boots, garrison cap, jacket, there are additional items that are needed to complete that uniform however these are the basics.  Patches will be given to you by the Flotilla Commander at a meeting.

Name tags (leather or embroidered) must be ordered from Williams and Williams, Inc. in Lakeland, Florida 800-695-2027, or 800-695-1227. Their website is NameTags4U.com.

 

A Tropical Blue Uniform is for Auxiliary meetings etc.  One can be obtained in Fort Wadsworth, 228 Coast Guard Drive, Staten Island, NY 10305 Phone (718) 815-6519 (located near the Verrazano Bridge) Rt. 278 to Bay Street exit, follow the brown signs to Fort Wadsworth, pass thru gate, make 1st right to the UPH Exchange all the way down to the Blue Building. Bring your AP letter or BQ card.

The Uniform Distribution Center in Woodbine, NJ is also where uniform items can be obtained. Google the UDC to order online.

Required is a third class FAA physical. Bring a copy of that when you attend the mandatory swim test and egress class.

 

These orientation guidelines are just that, at meetings and classes you can ask more, along with contacting other Flotilla members.