Winter is upon us!

Good evening families, friends, and crew of MSST 91103, the winter season is quickly approaching and as new crew members (including myself) get settled, we unfortunately have to say goodbye to shipmates as they move onto new exciting endeavors. We would like to say:

Farewell and Following Seas to the below mbrs:

PO Davila - PO Davila graciously served his country and will now spend some time continuing his education in the Southern California area.

PO D'Arcy - PO D'Arcy is heading to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) to continue serving his country. Be safe!

Both of your efforts to MSST 91103 are greatly appreciated and we wish you the best of luck as you move forward to meet new challenges!

Welcome Aboard:

PO Shelton - Arriving from "A" School

With the passing of weeks and months comes several new qualifications and certifications obtained by many of our mbrs. Congrats to:

PO Standiford - Boarding Officer (Certified Ashore) Certification

Tactical Crewmen Re-Certification

PO White - Judgemental Pistol Course (JPC) Administrator

PO Hartung - JPC Administrator

PO Gibson - BTM Cert

PO Velasquez - BO Cert

PO Knee - SWET Instructor Re-Cert

VI Fast Rope Master Re-Cert

PO McLaughlin - SWET Instructor Cert

VI Fast Rope Master Re-Cert

PO Hutton - SWET Instructor Cert

PO Hyzak - BO (Cert Ashore) Cert

PO Hutchens - Vertical Insertion Team Mbr Cert

PO Borski - Command Duty Officer (CDO) Qual

PO Vega - CDO Qual

PO Newkirk - CDO Qual

PO Tighe - Tactical Crewman Cert

PO Sandoval - Tac Crew Cert

PO Walker - Tactical Cox'n Level II Cert

PO Calderon - Tac Crew Re-Cert

PO Snyder - Tac Crew Cert

PO Graziano - RBS Crew Re-Cert

PO Haldeman - RBS Cox'n Re-Cert

CPO Baker - RBS Cox'n Re-Cert

PO Shelton - BTM Cert

Great work to all of you to gain these valuable certifications, re-certifications, and qualifications! Your efforts are applauded as these are the vital things that make our unit able to function day to day!

K9 Training/Certifications

Congratulations to PO Ross and Chiquita for completing their 1st Quarter FY2011 Canine Explosive Detection Team Review Recertification! Additionally, your recent efforts in completing Vertical Delivery training with PO Antis and Ryder are appreciated!

Boat Forces Insignia - Congrats to the following members for receiving their Boat Forces Insignia (Permanent):

PO Hyzak, CPO Carr, CPO Dunn

Engineering Meritorious Team Commendation

A congrats to MSST 91103's entire Engineering Dept for the work they did getting the unit's boats back up to standards following the DeepWater Horizon deployment. The Engineering Dept was tasked with removing, cleaning, and replacing 4 of the boat's collars and did so in record time. Not only were the boats material condition brought back up to standards but the RFO Inspection a few short weeks later truly showed their attention to detail and the work put in by all members of the Dept. Congrats to SCPO Diaz, PO Bowley, PO Vega, PO Franguille, PO Alexander, PO Serrano, PO Willoughby, and PO Montano.

Chief's Call to Initiation (CCTI)

Congrats to CPO Baker for completing his CCTI and associated workload! The efforts put in by yourself and your lawyer LTJG Boyle were obviously successful - Great job!

MSST Athletics:

Congrats to the MSST's Soccer Team for a great season! Although the unit barely missed being in the finals due to a close 3-2 loss to the Sector's Inspection Team, your teamwork and season accomplishments were incredible. Thanks to the following members who participated in most (if not all) of the games: PO Alexander, PO Montano, PO Hartung, PO Franguille, PO Gross, PO Chavez, PO Latess, PO Renuk, and LCDR (select) Burkhalter. I expect big things next year!

Congrats to LCDR (select) Burkhalter aka XO contributing to the Coast Guard's Rugby Team this year. The Coast Guard Team participated against all of the other Armed Services in a highly-competitive tournament and although they lost to the always-tough Air Force Team in the Championship Round, the Coasties pulled out a 2nd place finish; the best finish for a Coast Guard Team since the early 90's! Job well done!

CSI: Miami

I'd like to say a quick thanks to our boatcrews which supported the most recent Hollywood shoot of CSI: Miami (please see article reference below). Your participation in these Public Affairs events is much appreciated as you continue to set the bar with your professionalism and ability to go above and beyond the scope of your normal duties!

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/11/coast-guard-search-and-rescue-featured-on-csi-miami/

I'd like to apologize for not providing updates as frequently as I'd like up to this point. As you can tell these entries are lengthy due to the significant accomplishments of our crew (and the fact I can be pretty wordy). Regardless, I will continue to improve as much as possible. Finally, I'd like to say a quick thank you to all of the families that support our unit and its members. Without you the MSST 91103 crew would not be able to do what they do each day. As the holidays get closer it is important to recognize the sacrifices you have all made to make all of the above things possible. On that note please keep a lookout for details on the Holiday Party which is scheduled for Dec 10th, amplifying details will be coming very soon!

Good night!

v/r

T. Margita