Flotilla 11-03 Operations Response

The Response Department is responsible for the administration of the Auxiliary's Air Operations, Communications, Incident Management and Surface Operations.

The Operations Department was re-named the Response Department to better indicate the relationship of this department to its counterparts in the active duty Coast Guard. In 2007 the former Aids to Navigation Division was transferred to the Department of Prevention and the Division of Incident Management was transferred into the Response Department.

Pyramid lake on a windy day

The Auxiliary conducts patrols on and over our nation’s rivers, lakes and coasts. These patrols are a force multiplier for the Coast Guard, helping to secure our homeland and assist the boating public. This includes the traditional Search & Rescue missions where lives and property are assisted or saved.

Providing this level of direct Coast Guard operational support is a demanding activity where qualified Members may use their knowledge, skills, and facilities in support of the Coast Guard mission.

The Reno Flotilla operates on some of the best waters in the western United States. We primarily patrol Pyramid Lake northwest of the Reno/Sparks area and Lake Tahoe in the eastern Sierras. Once a year, we also participate in the San Francisco Fleet Week with the Coast Guard and many other Flotillas from Nevada and northern California.

Communications

Auxiliary communications are not bound into a rigidly structured operational system but rather consist of fixed land stations, land mobile stations and direction finder stations that have been accepted by the Director of the Auxiliary as radio facilities.

In many cases, members of the Auxiliary will operate radio facilities in conjunction with authorized surface and air missions. They will, at that time, use authorized government frequencies in designated bands.

Other program activities of radio facilities include operation in the HF Contingency Communications Program and the Auxiliary Monitoring Program in support of the Communications Area Master Stations, Sector Command Centers, and other CG Unit communications operations.

The primary purposes of the Auxiliary communications network are:

Coordinating authorized Auxiliary activities in support of Coast Guard Operations ("operational communications")
Augmenting the Coast Guard communications system, when required ("contingency communications")
Communicating urgent matters of official Auxiliary business ("operational communications")
Training
Assisting national resources in time of disaster ("contingency communications")