Division 🍊 News
-
Auxiliarists Celebrate USCGC Narwal Change-of-Command in Newport Beach
Change of command ceremonies are a time to look forward and back, and a celebration of teamwork across all of the U.S. Coast Guard’s members, both military and civilian. On July 17, 2025, Coast Guard Auxiliarists Edward Little, Daniel Shane and Oscar Gallo of Flotilla 12 in Long Beach joined the crew of the Newport
-
Marine Flare Collection Event • August 16
Calling all boaters in Orange County Free Marine Flare Collection Event in Dana Point SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 7 a.m. TO 1 p.m. 24650 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point Take advantage of this important collection event, and help spread the word! Learn more about marine flares in this podcast or visit the California Parks Bpating &
-
Pat Swope Celebrates 45 Years of Plaudits From Her Shipmates
Acting District 11 DIRAUX CWO3 Jared Esselman and longtime Auxiliarist Pat Swope. On the July day in 1980 when Patricia Swope, now of Flotilla 6-2 in Huntington Harbour, joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Jimmy Carter was president and the Coast Guard was still struggling with the gargantuan Mariel Boatlift from Cuba. Nearly 45 years later,
-
Div. 6 Members Support Battleship Iowa Turret 2 Memorial
San Pedro, Calif., April 19, 2025 — Members of Division 6 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary proudly participated in the annual Turret Two Memorial Ceremony aboard the historic battleship Iowa, paying tribute to the 47 sailors who tragically lost their lives in the 1989 turret explosion. On April 19, 1989, gunpowder bags prematurely detonated in
-
Two Flotilla 6-3 Members Earn Milestone Service Award
Rick Weiss and Wayne Palmer of Flotilla 6-3 received the Auxiliary’s Gold Hourglass Sustained Service Award at the flotilla’s January meeting. The Gold Hourglass Sustained Service Award is presented in lieu of service stars to members who have at least 15,000 documented volunteer hours. Rick’s duties include staff position at the flotilla, division and district
-
Auxiliarists Unexpectedly Rendezvous With a Hero
Pleasant surprises are often the reward for volunteering to staff an Auxiliary information booth. But in January the Division 6 crew at the Hall Outdoor Show at the Long Beach Convention Center got a special surprise visitor: A decorated World War II veteran stopped by. Division 6 auxiliarists greeted Leon (Lee) Anstead, age 101 and
-
Division 6 Supports 63rd L.A. Harbor Boat Parade
Members of Orange County-based Flotillas 6-1 and 6-3 sailed up the coast to support the 63rd annual L.A. Harbor Boat Parade in the Port of Los Angeles on December 7, 2024. Coxswain Dale Zimmermann from Division 6 Flotilla 6-1 led crew members Steve Baine, of Flotilla 6-1; Connie Trejo, Flotilla 6-3; and Joe Benton, Flotilla
-
Flotilla 6-3 Change of Watch Held
Twenty-two members and guests attended the December 2024 Flotilla 6-3 Change of Watch in Orange County. Incoming Flotilla Commander Joe Benton presented outgoing Flotilla Commander Abdo Akil with a crystal Coast Guard Christmas tree ornament as a thank you from the flotilla for two years of hard work as commander. Guests included newly elected Division
-
DCDR Garry Nelson’s Fall Message to Division 6: You Had a Great Year
Greetings shipmates to the fall 2024 Division 6 newsletter, a collaboration of our division and its six flotillas. First, I want to thank everyone who volunteered and who made our division great this year. Your willingness to devote your time, energy, and talents in support of the Auxiliary allows us to fulfill our missions supporting
-
Rudy Lopez Elected 2025 Div. 6 Commander; Rick Latronico Will Be VCDR
Vice commander Rudy Lopez Jr. has been elected Division 6’s commander for 2025, succeeding DCDR Garry Nelson. Rudy will be assisted by the newly elected vice commander, Rick Latronico. VCDR Rudy Lopez receives his division commander’s shoulder boards from DCAPT-S Wayne Palmer (left) and 2024 DCDR Garry Nelson.Newly elected 2025 VCDR Rick Latronico gets his
-
Div. 6 Auxiliarists Train with Jayhawk Crew From New Ventura Air Station
Photos by Joe Benton / U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary A helicopter crew based at the Coast Guard’s newest air station, at Point Mugu in southern Ventura County, wasted no time in establishing a working relationship with Auxiliarists from flotillas in Orange County as they rendezvoused off Los Angeles Harbor on November 21. The joint training
-
Flotilla 6-8 Summer/Fall 2024 Report
I am pleased to share with you the highlights of our achievements during the months of July through October 2024. Foremost, Flotilla 6-8 showcased remarkable dedication and commitment, accumulating over 3,300 hours of service. This is a true testament to the hard work put in by every one of you. I want to take a
-
Remembering the Loss of USCGC Blackthorn, and Why the Auxiliary Is Important
By Walt Baranger, SO-PB A few days ago while driving on I-275 across Tampa Bay, Florida, my wife and I stopped at the tollway’s Sunshine Skyway rest area on an islet just off St. Petersburg. I happened to spot a flagpole with a faded Coast Guard ensign, so being a good Auxiliarist I decided to
-
VCDR Steve Sherman, Auxiliary’s Resident Polymath, Dies at 77
Steve Sherman, a Flotilla 66 member whose encyclopedic knowledge of arcane Auxiliary matters was built on a foundation of nearly 20,000 volunteer hours in many different Coast Guard fields, died in Orange County on Sept. 24 after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was 77 years old and served 16½ years in the Coast Guard
-
Braving Heatwave, Flotilla 6-3 Staffs Tustin Event
Members of Flotilla 6-3 on Sept. 7 operated a Coast Guard Auxiliary public affairs booth at the Tustin Police Department’s annual open house. The City Hall event featured members of the Tustin police and fire departments, including live demonstrations by helicopter teams, plus motorcycle and SWAT officers. Although a heatwave was pushing the century mark
-
Celebrating 170 Years of Service to Orange County
Three Division 6 flotillas were honored on Sept. 23 with the National Commodore’s Achievement Award and longevity streamers for Coast Guard Auxiliary service totaling 170 years. By tradition, streamers are attached to the ceremonial national flags used at meetings, parades and receptions. Division 6 Commander Garry Nelson presented the awards at Division 6’s monthly meeting
-
Flotilla 66 Supports Mary’s Kitchen
By David Padilla, Flotilla Commander, Flotilla 66 Five dedicated members of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66, a community-oriented organization based in north Orange County, generously volunteered their time and energy to support Mary’s Kitchen in its mission to feed the needy. The group arrived early on August 17, eager to contribute to the important
-
Cutter Narwhal Open House Highlights
USCGC Narwhal open house a success;Auxiliarists guide visitors and offer boating safety tips Narwhal’s crew and Division 6 Auxiliarists bring first-hand Coast Guard experience to Orange County residents Meanwhile, on shore… Wrapping up a successful open house…
-
Puertas Abiertas: Buque de la Guardia Costera «Narwhal» (español)
Puertas Abiertas:Buque de la Guardia Costera «Narwhal»(en español) Lea el comunicado de prensa en español.
-
Volunteers Needed for USCGC Narwhal Open House
Public event scheduled for August 10 at Station Corona del Mar Division 6 members are needed at USCGC Narwhal’s open house on August 10, 2024. Volunteers are needed anytime within 08:30 to 15:00; public hours are 10:00 to 14:45. Narwhal (WPB 87335) is an 87-foot Marine Protector Class coastal patrol cutter commanded by LTJG Annabella