FReeper makes Coast Guard / Coast Guard Auxiliary History

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I received this in my uscg.mil e-mail.
The CO and XO confirmed that this is a first ever!

They both had asked me recently to work in the Operations Office on Thursdays
instead of just standing the radio watch.

I now can do the work of several regular Coasties
instead of just replacing one person in the comm room.

"I have added Mr. M------ to your crew listing for Station Coos Bay
and have given him access to -----(edited for security reasons)

Mr. M------ is the first CG Auxiliary member to be added to a crew listing
with full -----(edited for security reasons) permissions.

Please be sure to keep his -----(edited for security reasons) qualifications and certifications
separate from his CG Auxiliary qualifications and certifications.
Although we are TEAM Coast Guard,
there are slight differences in the requirements for certifications."

I had a great Thanksgiving at the base. GREAT DINNER at 3PM.
Also went on 3 different trips on the 47' boat.
2 family day cruises AND a 25 mile trip offshore to meet a tow barge
and pickup one of the fathers of one of the Coos Bay firefighters who died this week.

He is a merchant seaman and the tow barge was averaging about 5 knots,
so CG was asked to pick him up and get him back to shore faster.

[Spunky]

Congratulations Tonkin.

[Semper911]

As a former boat coxwain and OOD of a USCG small boat station on the east coast, I can safely say that no one is more important than the person standing radio watch. He/she is the first on the case and sets the stage for the entire operation.

Here is a probable sampling of tonk's typical 4 hour watch: monitoring (what sounds like) hundreds of radio frequencies, answering phones, typing sitreps, taking crap from stressed OODs, keeping track of boats underway, and all the while, typing his every move into the station log. Even though everyone assigned to a small boat station must be qualified as a watchstander, few can do it well.

I trust that you are one of those few, tonk, and I am proud of you. We had many auxillary members at my station, and they really made a difference for us. Keep up the good work. Semper911 out.

[Colt .45]

Question: Why don't the "Coasties" frequent MacDonald's?
Answer: Because they're scared of the salt on the french fries!

Question: What is the call of all Coast Guard ships?
Answer: "TURN BACK ... ITS BLUE WATER!"

A little fun at the expense of my Shallow Water Sailor bretheren. But I respect the job they do, and they do it well! From a US Naval Aviation Ordnanceman!

[herewego]

you're the best Tonk!!
thanks for everything..

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

Way to go Tonk....you're a hell of an American!

[Iscool]

Good Job......But man, how do you keep your dinner down while ridin' in that boat???

[lodwick]

Big bump to the very top.

Thanks, Tonk!

[Bob J]

WTG TONK!

[TopQuark]

Congratulations! It is a great achivement, and thank you for everything you do for us.

[terilyn]

Congratulations Tonkin!

[Delta 21]

Question: What is the call of all Coast Guard ships?
Answer: "TURN BACK ... ITS BLUE WATER!"

I Think NOT

And I dont want to hear any "Shallow Water Navy" Jokes either. The last swim call I took was in over 22,500 feet of water.

As a Shellback and Golden Dragon Coastie, I must correct this injustice!

(...just a snippet from my profile page.)

[Delta 21]

Good to go! Have you been getting stuff signed off for your crewman quals on the smallboats?

In 87-88 I was the only FN qualified engineer and crewman on the 52'ers in the whole 13th District. The 30' SRB too. I love the Intrepid. (CGSTA Coss Bay 85-88.)

#1 lesson to learn about doing your morning engineer checks is to make sure there aint a bight of the shoretie cable dipped in the water. It really plays hell with your day when it gets fouled in the port screw.

[Militiaman7]

Way to go, Tonk

Congratulation!!!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Here is a probable sampling of tonk's typical 4 hour watch: monitoring (what sounds like) hundreds of radio frequencies, answering phones, typing sitreps, taking crap from stressed OODs, keeping track of boats underway, and all the while, typing his every move into the station log. Even though everyone assigned to a small boat station must be qualified as a watchstander, few can do it well."

Boy, that sure does sum up the watch! LOL
Except it's an 8 hour watch.

[freedumb2003]

That is Soo coool! Waytago Tonk! :))

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Have you been getting stuff signed off for your crewman quals on the smallboats?"

Now that I'm "in the system" that will start.
In fact I'll be the one who enters it "in the system."
The CO and XO only really have me going on the boats to "get the big picture".
In reality it will take me a LONG time
to ever get fully crew qualified on the 47' or Intrepid.
But each time I go out I learn something new and it helps me in Ops.
The CO says the Coast Guard network will take notice of my 1st and unique status
as Coast Guard Auxiliary/Coast Guard status.
Seems like I'll be starting a "new trend."

[JoeSixPack1]

Congrats Tonk!

Semper Fi !

[Kathy in Alaska]

You make us proud, Tonkin. Congratulations on a job well done!

[Arioch7]

Very cool post and thanks for the pics!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Congratulations from a Coastie Wife."

Thank You and Thank You for being a military wife.
And please tell your husband I said:
"Thank You for your service to our country."