MDA turns information, intelligence, and knowledge into the power needed to provide greater safety and security to American citizens and those that are inextricably linked to us by the sea.

U.S. Coast Guard White Paper on MDA -- 2004

EXECUTION & DEPLOYMENT (A Synopsis) 

Before determining the methods used to mobilize Auxiliarists at the local level, and before gathering the tools necessary to complete the job, it's a good idea to review some of the MDA/OPR tasks ahead of you:

Phase III of OPR is designed to execute the deployment of Auxiliary assets identified and captured in phases I & II, in support of the Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) security missions. 

 1.  District Mapping

·     ► Jointly with the Coast Guard, create individual District maps depicting the location of all known critical sites and areas.

·     ► Overlay the location of all Auxiliary assets (people and facilities) on these maps.

·     ► Working jointly with local Coast Guard Stations, operational contingency plans will be created and implemented.

 2.  Standard Operations (MARSEC 1)

► Continue traditional Auxiliary missions, including RBS, adding a strong element of Maritime Domain Awareness.

► Jointly with the Coast Guard, create surface, air and land patrols to provide a vigilance/alert function at known critical sites and areas where there were matches in the District Mapping operation.

► Target recruit new Auxiliarists and facilities in those geographical areas, identified in the District Mapping operation, where there are gaps in Auxiliary and/or Coast Guard assets.

 3.  Surge Operations (MARSEC 2 & 3)

► Jointly with the Coast Guard, create contingency plans that will see the Auxiliary reacting, to the maximum of its ability, in any/all areas identified as critical sites and areas.  This action, a ramping up of Standard Operations, to be sustainable and dependable over an indefinite time frame.

 4.  Readiness Exercises

► Plan and conduct periodic deployment alerts in conjunction with the Coast Guard. 

► Such alerts to employ Auxiliary & Coast Guard assets in well-structured exercises designed to sharpen skills and test effectiveness.

 5.   RBS Initiatives

► Add a strong element of Maritime Domain Awareness to all Public Education courses and Vessel Safety Checks.

► Deploy the “America's Waterway Watch” program that will enlist and educate America’s boaters in how to recognize and report suspicious activity as they go about their normal boating activities.

 6. Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA):

► Support the inspection provisions of the Act by onboard inspection of vessels that are required to obtain and publish Coast Guard security plans, and in the company of active duty Coast Guard personnel inspect covered maritime facilities for MTSA compliance..

► Engage in surface, air and land based Harbor Patrols (HARPATs) to spot check maritime facilities and surrounding areas for MTSA compliance and potential terrorist threats.

 7.   AUXPAL (Auxiliary Personnel Allocation List)

► A new program that expands the present Auxiliary efforts to recruit and provide qualified Auxiliarists to fill Coast Guard billets on a needs basis during both Standard and Surge operations.

MOBILIZING FLOTILLA FORCES -- A CREATIVE CHECKLIST FOR TAKING ACTION

It’s one thing to have the National Auxiliary create a program, and quite another to mobilize local Flotilla forces to implement its various elements and to maintain the activities necessary for its continued success.

And it’s difficult for the National Auxiliary to tell you how to do this. The culture and the priorities of each local Flotilla are different, so a simple “checklist” or “do it by the numbers” approach doesn’t work – it would only stifle creativity.

What we’ve given you here is a “Creative Checklist.” Some items are multiple choice – pick the one that’s the best fit. If you think a particular item won’t work in your flotilla -- ignore it! If you have a better idea than the one presented – do it your way! If your “better idea” works – share it with others by emailing it to us at fso-cs@uscgauxfremont.org

To retrieve the checklist for Flotilla Commanders, follow one of the links listed below:

Creative MDA/OPR Checklist for Flotilla Commanders (Adobe Acrobat Format)

Creative MDA/OPR Checklist for Flotilla Commanders (Microsoft WORD Format)

Similar checklists for other officers and for individual members are in development, and will be posted on this page when completed.

Also check back here often for other tools to help you implement OPR missions and activities.

RESOURCES FOR ACTION

Visit this section often to discover additional resources you can use to execute and maintain an active OPR program. The list of resources will continue to grow!