19 minute read
At C27 office, Santiago gets to be both fixer, flyer
from US Coast Guard 2020
by Cooke NC
22
U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance
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Ricardo Santiago, an aviation mechanic with the Coast Guard’s HC-27J Asset Project Office, is part of a unit that assists areas affected during hurricanes. Pallets of food, water and supplies can be loaded via forklift into a C27 aircraft and delivered to affected areas.
Photo by Kesha Williams
, Frida y, July 31, 2020
While others might wince at the idea of retooling someone else’s no-longerwanted equipment for a new purpose, Ricardo Santiago welcomes the challenge. As an aviation mechanic with the U.S. Coast Guard C27J Asset Project Office, Santiago works with a team that brings aircraft once retired by other branches of the military back to active service. Santiago, 30, said his team works to repurpose a former Air Force plane into the Coast Guard’s C27. Hence the name of the command at Base Elizabeth City where they work. The job calls for a variety of skills and allows Santiago to frequently shift roles. “One of the coolest things about the Coast Guard is not only am I a fixer of the aircraft but also a flyer,” he said. “I sit in the back of the aircraft and assist the pilots with in flight duties. I am also a loadmaster which lets me take pallets of cargo and transport them wherever needed.” Santiago says his unit plays a vital role during hurricane operations. They deliver food, water, supplies and people, if necessary, to safety. Repeated flights into the elements for routine duty and rescue missions, particularly over the ocean, leads to another challenge: protecting the aircraft’s metal parts from corrosion. Keeping that corrosion to a minimum
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At C27 office, Santiago gets to be both fixer, flyer
BY KESHA WILLIAMS Correspondent
is a task that keeps Santiago busy. Another of his duties is to teach Coasties new to the unit basic aircraft duties that need to be performed on both the ground and in the air. It’s a lengthy list but, Santiago assures newcomers, the rewards fit the challenges. “Once you pass the written and practical test. You become qualified and get some very cool golden wings sewn onto your uniform,” Santiago says. For Santiago, a career in the Coast Guard has been a far more satisfying than he imagined it would be when he enlisted in 2010. Santiago said he knew college wasn’t
for him so he didn’t want to saddle himself or his family with the debt of financing a college degree. He said he longed for an active, thrilling career — one, for example, that would allow him to steer a 270-foot cutter over the Atlantic Ocean. He says that very experience occurred within a month of his completing boot camp. He says his work today with aircraft demonstrates the broad range of experiences available in the Coast Guard. “Something a lot of people don’t know is that the Coast Guard lets you choose what job you want to do,” he said. “We call the jobs in our service ‘rates.’ We have a saying, ‘choose your rate, choose your fate.’ I chose to go into continued on page 29
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U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida y, July 31, 2020
Spoon enjoys service to fellow Coasties, families
BY CHRIS DAY Multimedia Editor
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Petty Officer 3rd Class Evan Spoon says being part of a team that provides personnel support to the men and women of the seven Elizabeth Citybased commands is what he enjoys most about his current Coast Guard duties. “In my current assignment, I have the unique opportunity to work in support of our most outlying units, and to develop approaches to overcome the unique challenges they possess,” said Spoon, who is a yeoman assigned to Base Elizabeth City. “It is a rewarding process to serve on a talented team, as we constantly rely upon our varied experiences and knowledge to solve problems and support one another and our fellow service members.” At Base Elizabeth City, Spoon works as a servicing personnel officer and is responsible for maintaining the personnel records of more than 300 service members. The chance to serve fellow Coasties and their dependents was the main reason he chose a career as a yeoman. “I was inspired by the opportunity to provide direct personnel support that each and every service member and their families rely on every day,” he said. Base Elizabeth City is one of seven commands that make up the Coast Guard presence in Elizabeth City. The other commands are the Aircraft Project Office, the Aviation Logistics Command, the Aviation Technical Training Command, the Small Boat Station, the Air Station and the National Strike Force. The NSF is located off the main base on U.S. Highway 17 just north of town. “It is truly impressive to see the diverse and distinct missions operating out of Base Elizabeth
Petty Officer 3rd Class Evan Spoon is seen at his workspace at Base Elizabeth City. Spoon is a yeoman who joined the Coast Guard in 2017.
Photo courtesy US Coast Guard
City, and the numerous resources and support required from within the Coast Guard and community,” said Spoon. At the broader level, it’s the many dayto-day roles that the Coast Guard fills in service to the nation that Spoon enjoys about his service. “I believe in the critical missions the Coast Guard carries out every day, and am constantly motivated by the desire to provide high quality support in my current role,” he said. “I am excited to grow my knowledge and abilities as a leader and be a positive force within the Coast Guard into the future.” Spoon, 27, is originally from southern Wisconsin and joined the Coast Guard in 2017. He enlisted out of a “longstanding desire to serve,” he said. Prior to Elizabeth City, Spoon served at Coast Guard Station Guam, where he took part in search and rescue and other small boat operations. Spoon is the recipient of an overseas service ribbon and a meritorious team commendation medal. He said he is grateful to the Elizabeth City community for its support of the Coast Guard.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Evan Spoon is assigned to Base Elizabeth City.
Photo courtesy US Coast Guard
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U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida y, July 31, 2020
Coast Guard honors Ward with Gray Award
U.S. COAST GUARD
WASHINGTON — Artist John Ward has been named the winner of the 2020 George Gray Award for Artistic Excellence, the Coast Guard Art Program’s highest honor. Ward was selected for the award from among 22 artists whose 31 works are on display through Aug. 7 at COGAP’s annual exhibit at the Salmagundi Club in New York City. Ward received the juried award — the equivalent of “Best In Show” — for his acrylic painting “Rescue near Galveston.” The brightly-colored artwork depicts an Air Station Houston helicopter rescuing an oil tanker crewmember during a medical emergency and provides a look inside the helicopter during the event as it took place off the coast of Texas. Ward has worked as an artist, illustrator and high school art teacher for more than 30 years. His art has been used by more than 60 publications and his work has also been chosen by the U.S. Department of State for its “Art In Embassies” program. His work has been exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, among other places. Ward teaches and resides in Saranac Lake, New York, where he also has his studio. “Rescue near Galveston” was selected by a jury featuring Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Sector New York, Salmagundi Club President Elizabeth Spencer and Peter Trippi, art expert and editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. Adm. Karl L. Schultz, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, congratulated and thanked Ward for his artistic contribution which he described as “remarkable.” Schultz hailed all the artists of the 2020 collection now on exhibit for their “outstanding works,” noting that because of them, “the Coast Guard has one of the best and most remarkable collections of fine art of any military service.” Schultz added that like the service itself, the Coast Guard Art Program overcame the myriad concerns and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic to perform exceptionally well. COGAP artists — many of whom are professional artists — are volunteers who give freely of their time and talent to the art program. The current COGAP collection holds more than 2,000 artworks in a variety of media and they are often exhibited at museums around the country and displayed in the offices of members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries and other senior government officials around the world.
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U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida y, July 31, 2020
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COAST GUARD POLICY PROMOTES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
BY REGGIE PONDER Staff Writer
The Coast Guard holds a Black History Month event in Elizabeth City. The Coast Guard’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the Coast Guard workforce. Photo courtesy US Coast Guard
Even before the Black Lives Matter protests this year following the death of George Floyd, promoting diversity and inclusion was a well-established value in the U.S. Coast Guard. Admiral Karl Schultz, the 26th commandant of the Coast Guard, recently reiterated the service’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in an official policy statement. “I am fully committed to broadening the diversity of our Coast Guard workforce to be more reflective of the population we serve, and committed to fostering an environment that embraces that diversity,” he said. Lt. Cdr. Daniel Schrader, who heads public affairs for the Coast Guard’s 5th District headquarters in Portsmouth, Virginia, explained that the Coast Guard’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the Coast Guard workforce. “A diverse workforce provides a variety of perspectives and talents that will enhance the workplace,” the Office of Diversity & Inclusion states on its website. “An inclusive work environment creates a workforce that values the individual contributions of its personnel and allows members to feel empowered. Inclusion increases innovation and strengthens teams. In order to maximize its effectiveness and efficiency, the Coast Guard needs the best possible people to work as a team.” The Office of Diversity & Inclusion views diversity as an important component in maintaining the strength of the Coast Guard. “If individuals feel excluded, the Coast Guard loses the skills and talents of that member, which reduces the potential quality of the organization,” according to the ODI statement. “A team needs to trust and respect each other.” ODI notes loss of trust and respect is a serious matter. “This becomes especially dangerous when people notice a safety concern, but they don’t feel like they can speak up,” according to ODI. “Additionally, targeted individuals are more likely to leave the Coast Guard, which results in a loss of training, talent, and experience.” Schrader said every area of the Coast Guard, from officer and senior enlisted through reserves and auxiliary, is represented on the Commandant’s Leadership, Excellence and Diversity, or LEAD, Council. At the local level, district commanders and commanding officers of sectors, air stations, cutters, and units with 50 or more personnel are required to establish a Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council, or LDAC. “LDACs are responsible for assessing the workplace climate and culture in their respective areas, developing annual action plans for how they will impact diversity and leadership in their area, addressing leadership and diversity issues that can be resolved at the unit level, and forwarding issues that cannot be handled at the unit level to the next higher LDAC,” Schrader explained. “All Coast Guard personnel are required to complete the ‘DHS No Fear Act and AntiHarassment Course’ upon initial entry and a refresher every two years,” Schrader said. “In addition, each Coast Guard member is required to complete the ‘Preventing and Addressing Workplace Harassment’ course at least annually.” Schultz’s statement on diversity and inclusion makes clear that a commitment to those values is expected of all Coast Guard personnel. “As individuals, we will identify and mitigate our biases and work to build bridges that connect us to one another,” Schultz said. “As an organization, we will identify bias and barriers within the system, policies, and procedures and take action to mitigate them. Achieving and maintaining a culture of respect begins with understanding and exhibiting inclusive behaviors that are fair, open, cooperative, supportive, and empowering.”
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26 U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida COAST GUARD, EC to host half marathon, 5K in 2021
y, July 31, 2020
BY MALCOLM SHIELDS Sports Editor
The U.S. Coast Guard and Visit Elizabeth City were set to host a half marathon and a five kilometer race in September. However, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, that plan was canceled. Both entities remain committed to the event as the races are planned to be held in Elizabeth City in 2021. According to Corrina Ruffieux, executive director of Visit Elizabeth City, the event is scheduled to be held Saturday, March 6, 2021. Ruffieux added the date is subject to change because of the pandemic. The event is believed to be the first of its kind in the city and for the Coast Guard base. “We are excited to take part in establishing both a half marathon and 5K race in Elizabeth City, the Coast Guard City we at Base Elizabeth City call home,” Cmdr. Melissa Arles, executive officer of Base Elizabeth City, said in an email. “This community has shown overwhelming support for our Coast Guard men and women and helping to establish a racing event for the entire community was an important goal for both Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City and local officials. Base personnel have worked closely with event organizers to plan the race’s route, which includes runners traversing over portions of the base property.” For Visit Elizabeth City, which is the tourism agency for the city of Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County, the event is a way to bring multiple entities within the city together. The event has the support of Arles and Capt. Randy Meador, the commanding officer at Base Elizabeth City. “This event grew out of several discussions and varying ideas between local athletes and business health enthusiasts, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Parks & Rec, Elizabeth City Downtown Inc., ECSU and the Coast Guard,” Ruffieux said in an email. After organizers settled on a half marathon, the next step was “establishing a thoughtful and established partnership with our local Coast Guard base and leadership,” she said. “Captain Meador, Commander Arles and quite a few other folks on base have been integral to moving the event forward,” Ruffieux said. Arles and Ruffieux said the level of interest in the event is high. “This is a great opportunity to partner with the local community and create a race series with the Coast Guard as its namesake,” Arles said. “We’re excited to help make this event happen. I’ve heard positive feedback from members and we
Map courtesy Visit Elizabeth City are looking forward to the event.” Ruffieux noted before COVID-19’s impact started shutting most things down, there was very strong, preliminary interest in the event. Along with the races, the Coast Guard plans to be active in other aspects associated with the event. “We are helping coordinate a performance by the Coast Guard Band’s saxophone quartet on the weekend of the race,” Arles said. “All ancillary events are being coordinated with the race planning committee or Visit Elizabeth City.” According to the latest version of the course route, the half marathon — a 13.1 mile race — will begin on South Water Street between the Museum of the Albemarle and Waterfront Park and merge onto Riverside Avenue. The route is set to include Elizabeth City State University, the Coast Guard base and end downtown. The 5K is a 3.1-mile event. Ruffieux noted there may be minor tweaks to the route to ensure the race is certified by U.S. Track and Field and other entities. There is plenty of work that needs to be completed before March 6. “We paused all planning efforts when we had to make the decision to cancel the 2020 event. However, we will renew the planning process in the next month or so,” Ruffieux said. Organizers’ biggest hurdle right now is sponsors, she said. “Visit Elizabeth City provided $12,000 in seed money and Sentara (Healthcare) has committed to a $10,000 sponsorship which makes for an incredible start,” Ruffieux said. “That said, our preliminary budget estimates we need another $15,000 to $20,000 in sponsorships to ensure a high-caliber inaugural event.”
U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida y, July 31, 2020
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ECSU builds on relationship with Coast Guard
Elizabeth City State University continues to grow its relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard by participating in the College Student PreCommissioning Initiative and developing military-friendly majors such as homeland security. This year ECSU has four students in the CSPI program, a scholarship program in which students are enlisted into the Coast Guard, complete basic training during the summer, and receive full funding for up to two years of college. There were 10 homeland security majors last year and projected enrollment for the program this year is 21. The university doesn’t actually track how many students are Coast Guard personnel since students are not required to submit their current military affiliation. But university officials have cited the needs of Coast Guard personnel and ECSU’s proximity to Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City as factors that prompted them to develop the homeland security degree program. The CSPI is a scholarship program of the Coast Guard that funds not only tuition, books, and fees, but also a full-time Coast Guard salary, housing allowance, and medical benefits. CSPI students are involved during the school year in at least 16 hours a month of Coast Guard activities. They wear a Coast Guard uniform on campus once a week and during their four hours of weekly Coast Guard
BY REGGIE PONDER Staff Writer
duties. The students have other opportunities to learn about Coast Guard missions and units. After completing their junior year of college, CSPI students attend Officer Candidate Indoctrination, a three-week summer leadership training course in New London, Connecticut. After graduating from college they attend the 17-week Officer Candidate School in New London. ECSU’s homeland security degree program is the first of its kind for a fouryear public institution in North Carolina and the first at a historically black college or university. The curriculum covers the role of intelligence and the impact of policy in securing the country from threats and natural disasters. The degree is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, security, intelligence gathering and criminal investigations. The degree is available entirely online. Because of the online format, students could pursue the homeland security degree from anywhere in the world where there’s an internet connection. University officials say that’s particularly important for Coast Guard personnel and other members of the military who are interested in earning the degree and are subject to being moved far away from ECSU’s campus.
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continued from p. 29
Ricardo Santiago, an aviation mechanic with the Coast Guard’s HC-27J Asset Project Office, is part of a unit that assists areas affected during hurricanes. Pallets of food, water and supplies can be loaded via forklift into a C27 aircraft and delivered to affected areas.
Photo by Kesha Williams
U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance
, Frida y, July 31, 2020
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aviation. Though it was a long wait, it was well worth the wait.” As an aviation maintenance technician, or AMT, Santiago is responsible for the non-electrical features on Coast Guard aircraft. Besides changing engines and tires on aircraft, he also works on flight control surfaces, fuel and hydraulic pumps and even does some metal-working on an aircraft’s “skin.” A stint in Elizabeth City is common for many in the Coast Guard who choose to work in aviation, Santiago said. “This is a pretty big base for the Coast Guard. A lot happens here,” he said. Santiago first visited Elizabeth City in 2014 to learn his job as an aviation mechanic. That training followed four years of duty in Key West, Florida. Santiago said it was while stationed in Key West that one of the most important missions of his Coast Guard career took place. He said he learned drug traffickers were hauling drugs by using submarine-like structures that don’t fully descend into the ocean. He and colleagues intercepted the traffickers and confiscated their illegal narcotics. Being able to update government officials about the changing ways illegal drugs were being transported was historic, he said. After Key West, Santiago worked for four years at his first air station in Sacramento, California, on C130 Hercules and C27 Spartan aircraft. Santiago, who was born in New York but raised in Greensboro, says he was happy to return to Elizabeth City to work and raise a family with his wife. “This is a small town and the hospitality you get from neighbors cannot be replaced,” he said. “My family and I truly do love it here.” Santiago likes that Elizabeth City is also growing. “When I first came through here in 2014, to see where it is now is night and day,” he said. Recently, Santiago was chosen Enlisted Person of the Quarter for his unit at the air station. He received an Eagle Eye Award after finding an aircraft engine very low on oil, a measure that saved the Coast Guard from potentially having to replace the aircraft. “This is the best job I have ever had,” Santiago said. “The Coast Guard not only takes care of you very well but also your family. If you want a career that is all about saving lives and your community, join the Coast Guard.”
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U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida
y, July 31, 2020
