The Response Directorate includes AUXAIR, Surface Operations, and Communications for our district.
For AUXAIR Ken Plesser serves as DSO-AV whose assignment includes supervising the Assistant District Staff Officers for Aviation (ADSO-AVs) also known as Auxiliary Air Coordinators (AAC) and numerous Assistant Auxiliary Air Coordinators (AAACs) assigned to Coast Guard Air Stations Savannah, Clearwater, Miami and Borinquen. There are also ADSO-AVs for Training, Standards, Technology and Aviation Management. AUXAIR Operations are managed by Ken at the district level.
Herman (Festus) Burchfield, DSO-OP manages the district operations programs via the Division Officers for Operations (SO-OPs) in each division. In addition Festus works with ADSOs in various regions of the district as well as the ADSO-OP who oversees the Interpreter Corps and the ADSO-OP who serves as the District Chief Qualification Examiner Coordinator.
District Communications are handled by Don Wellons, DSO-CM. With the assistance of the ADSO-CMs, Don promotes and facilitates development of radio communications including VHF and HF assets in support of the Coast Guard, Federal State and local agencies.
Included in the Response Directorate is the District Surface Safety Officer, Ed Dickson who along with the District Flight Safety Officer, Doug Armstrong, serves to keep operational activity and assets functioning safely.
The Directorate serves pursuant to the policies of the Director of the Auxiliary and the Operations Training Officer. Cooperation with and support of the six Coast Guard Sectors and four Coast Guard Air Stations are mandatory.
All Response personnel work closely with their counterparts at the National level and well as with personnel in the other Directorates within the District to promote goal achievement consistent with the District Strategic Plan.
The Response Directorate mission is to provide skilled and capable personnel and assets to the United States Coast Guard as well as fulfill the expectations of America’s boating public.
Craig Elliot, DDC-R