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2004 Rose Festival - AUXCOM by Joe Engel

In the dark, a cool mist drifts around the 12 Auxiliary vessels moored at USCG Station Portland, OR docks. It’s 0500 and the silence is broken only by the early shore-bird’s call. Moored silently beside the Auxiliary vessels are four of Station Portland’s 25 ft Defender class patrol vessels.

A thump is heard as a vessels cabin door is opened. Now a cough is heard as the crews of the moored vessels begin to stir. Lights suddenly gleam from a few cabin windows, the smell of brewing coffee wafts in the wind. Finally, a few hardy souls stumble onto the docks with big mugs of hot coffee to greet the dawn.

Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered as the first big V-8 boat engine fires up and its exhaust note resonates off the riverbank. Then a second and third engine lights off as the Auxiliary crews begin their warm-up procedures and the docks begin to reverberate with the sound of running engines.

Verbal commands can now be heard. “Single up all lines”, “Clear to starboard” “ Stand by to cast off”, “Let go all lines.” Orange suited Auxiliary crews can be seen moving briskly and now one of the boats is moving. It’s backing slowly, almost magically, into the calm water of the mooring lagoon. The Division 7 Auxiliary Fleet begins to depart the Station Portland docks. They are on the way up-river for their fourth long day of security support for the US Navy Rose Festival Fleet Week.

Radios crackle to life. “Group Portland, Group Portland, this is Auxiliary 403673”. First one, then two then the succession of all eight Facilities check in with Group Portland’s Communication Center. They are requesting radio guard as they begin the four mile journey upriver to the start of the Navy designated security zone surrounding the moored USN warships.

As they arrive at the lower end of the security zone a new, authoritive voice is heard on the radio. “All Auxiliary vessels, this is AUXCOM” “All newly arriving Auxiliary Vessels this is AUXCOM. Upon arrival at this station release your guard with Group Portland and check in with AUXCOM on Channel 22 for further instructions.

So another long day begins for eight Auxiliary facilities and 25 Auxiliary crew. So another even longer day begins for Curt Wilhelm, assistant Operations officer for Division 7 and now known to all as AUXCOM.

For the next 12 hours the Auxiliary crews will perform a demanding and complex operation augmenting the ultra–tight security surrounding the US Navy warships moored at the seawall in Portland, OR as part of the City of Portland’s annual Rose Festival Fleet Week.

During these operations two fully armed USCG MSST facilities, 10 local Sheriff’s department boats and crews and up to 14 Auxiliary facilities will put in 7 x24, 12 hour shifts for the five days the naval ships are in port.

During these shifts the Auxiliary vessels are managed by the voice on the radio known as AUXCOM.

Hour after hour, AUXCOM clears all vessel transit up and down the river past the moored naval vessels. AUXCOM must coordinate with the USCG PATCOM controller, designate the appropriate Auxiliary facility for escort, insure that all Auxiliary vessels on barrier patrol, zone security and staging are on-task and safe..

AUXCOM is seldom off the radio for more than a few minutes during this entire time. Typically messages to and from AUXCOM are cued up and waiting his attention most of the day.

Typical communications sound like this: “Quebec 1 this is AUXCOM. Do you see that fast mover down bound to your location? Get in front of him and stop him!” Break! Escort 21 you have seven boats ready for escort through the zone. You are cleared to transit downriver. Call when you’ve cleared the zone. Break PATCOM this is AUXCOM, we have 7 transiting the zone down bound at this time.” This goes on continuously all day long.

It’s now 1800 and AUXCOM’s voice is beginning to reflect the terrific strain. His voice is cracking, his instructions are not quite so crisp, and he is now dealing with tired Auxiliarists who are starting to show their weariness.

At last we hear some new voices on the radios. It’s the next shift of Auxiliary boats arriving at the security check-in point. One by one our AUXCOM begins to release the day-shift facilities. “Quebec 1 this is AUXCOM, when Auxiliary 527 arrives your location call me and you will be relieved. You are cleared down through the zone. After leaving the zone transfer your guard to Group. Thank you for your service today.”

As our tired crews travel downriver toward another night at the Group Portland docks, we continue to hear AUXCOM gradually releasing the rest of our shift of boats. Finally, as we turn into the Group Portland we hear a new voice take over as AUXCOM. Finally our AUXCOM has been relieved and a new AUXCOM takes over the evening shift.

First on scene, last to be relieved. Keeping us safe and keeping us on mission throughout a very long and busy day. His name is Curt Wilhelm and he is the consummate AUXCOM.

Joe Engel

Department of Homeland Security    |    U.S. Coast Guard     |   USCG District 13  |  USCG Sector Portland

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary National Website    |    U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13 Website