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"The Spill of
National Significance (SONS) was a national, full scale exercise used to
test all levels of the organization from the field to agency heads in
Washington, DC, in response to earthquakes and resulting multiple major
oil spills. The concurrent Area Maritime Security Training and
Exercise Program (AMSTEP) was designed to test the effectiveness of
maritime security measures in a post disaster environment.
Preparations began months in advance with on-line and resident Incident
Command System training and participation in mid and final planning
conferences. Auxiliary involvement continued throughout the exercise
and into the control and evaluation hot was where members provided useful
lessons learned and identified valuable best practices. Coast Guard
Auxiliary members piloted the aircraft conducting exercise over-flights,
operated small boats deploying oil spill dye and provided VIPs with tours
of operations in the port. Within the Unified Command, members set
up the command post, directed the Air Operations Branch, conducted
facility maritime security attainment checks, vetted command post
visitors, served as Liaison Officer, and assisted the Documentation Unit
Leader. The Auxiliary's influence also spread into Arkansas and Oklahoma
where facilities deployed in Little Rock, Lake Dardanelle, and the Port of
Catoosa, carrying out critical Maritime Observation Mission patrols on
remote waterways. Crews invested over 700 selfless hours and made
these multiagency exercises resounding successes." |
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