AUXAIR SQUADRON 11N OPERATIONS
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary aviation (Aux Air) has a significant area operational responsibility (AOR) in Northern California that reaches from the California/Oregon border south to Morro Bay and inland from San Francisco Bay through Carquinez eastward into the large, complex San Joaquin Delta Region and deep water shipping channels to the ports of Sacramento and Stockton.

An aviation capability has always been a primary extension of the Coast Guard in all operations and AuxAir certainly compliments that capability. The use of small general aviation (GA) aircraft are ideally suited for a wide range of operations particularly search and rescue (SAR), aides to maritime navigation (ATON), reconnaissance and air to surface photography. Use of AuxAir aircraft conserves regular Coast Guard aviation for more hazardous or specialized missions and the wide range of Auxiliary aircraft provide a considerable ‘mission-specific’ variety to undertake an equally wide range of mission assignments.

 
Ever since the beginnings of WWII when the services required efficient observation and liaison aircraft that could operate from short and unimproved runways the requirement was filled by GA aircraft. From that time to Vietnam light general aviation aircraft, in numerous modified variants provided the right asset and served in most every theater and climate from WWII through Korea and Vietnam. Use of light, civilian-owned and flown aircraft continues that role in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s aviation program.

The prevalent role of Auxiliary aviation is ‘search, locate, vector:’ the relative slow speed and maneuverability of GA aircraft provide the right asset in SAR missions, searches for small vessels, persons, debris and detection of hazardous materials. Low fuel consumption of GA aircraft is also of great benefit and with reduced power settings range and loiter over target can be considerably increased. In addition, the typical Auxiliary aircraft provides considerable flexibility for a wide range of mission-specific missions that include integrated operations with regular Coast Guard and Auxiliary surface units.

 
When considering participating in another Auxiliary mission, AuxAir is certainly an exciting and rewarding operational activity. As a current Auxiliary member you can begin training as an air observer (all pilots regardless of ratings must first qualify as observers before advancing to one of three pilot Auxiliary pilot rating), by contacting Squadron Personnel Officer, Mr. Leo Gross. Your preliminary training can begin right away.
 

As a Coast Guard Auxiliary aviator you have a unique opportunity to become a valuable part of an important organization to join and fly with an elite Squadron of pilots and observers who perform a vital mission from the air.