This award is named after Rear Admiral Bennett “Bud” Sparks, who championed the integration of reserve and active duty workforces to achieve overall unit readiness. The award is presented to the unit that is judged to be most supportive of an operationally ready Coast Guard Reserve force, as demonstrated by its effective use and support of the Reserve force during the previous fiscal year.
Category 1: Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage are recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to maintaining readiness, Incident Command System (ICS) training and professional expertise that has enabled them to achieve unprecedented levels of impact at the local, regional, and national level, seamlessly integrating with active duly in challenging operational conditions. They are the epitome of a force multiplier and have stepped up to support the Coast Guard when it needed them the most during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sector Anchorage’s unrelenting focus to develop and maintain a highly qualified Reserve force resulted in outstanding results despite the challenges of COVID-19. Active management of key metrics resulted in admin readiness of 100% and medical readiness of 98%. Coming out of COVID-19 limited interactions during 2020, Sector Anchorage took action in fiscal year 2021 to prioritize training and Reserve activities, resulting in 100% Active Duty for Training (ADT) participation and 98% Inactive Duty for Training (IDT) participation. Station Valdez reserves totaled 434.3 underway hours and took on 86 days of active duty to assist the station during transfer season. Sector Enforcement reservists conducted 384 hours of law enforcement training and 46 boardings and also drove a multi-agency operation with NOAA, National Park Service and Alaska Wildlife Troopers. Sector Marine Science Technicians (MSTs) augmented the active duty force during the annual Marine Safety Task Force (MSTF), supporting 47 days of Pollution Responder/Facility Inspector duty to backfill for active duty members deployed for MSTF and conducting more than 300 commercial fishing vessel exams and 50 facility inspections.
In addition to supporting Sector Anchorage through IDT and ADT, 12 reservists took on Title 10 orders for a total of 1,940 days. This level of support for not only their local active duty shipmates but also the larger Coast Guard, including Coast Guard Headquarters, Atlantic Area, Pacific Area, and the Seventeenth Coast Guard District, demonstrates their strong devotion and selflessness for the betterment of the service and the country.
Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage!
Category 2: Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound (SLIS) are recognized for ongoing efforts to integrate, support, and train its Reserve Component. SLIS optimized peak reserve proficiency and readiness as a result of embracing full integration of their Reserve Component through an exceptionally balanced reserve management program. SLIS reservists played an instrumental role in support of the joint Transportation Security Agency/CG Collaborative Operations by Response Agencies (COBRA) and Ferry Terminal Security (FTS) operations, resulting in 2,392 vehicle and 1,365 passengers screened. Additionally, they provided direct law enforcement and security support to the U.S. Secret Service Presidential Security Operations during President Biden’s keynote speech at the 2021 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Commencement and conducted over 25 recreational vessel boardings ensuring compliance with all applicable safety and security regulations.
Demonstrating highly effective leadership and management, their dedicated commitment to mobilization readiness provided instrumental in support to multiple national emergencies and contingencies. SLIS’s reserve personnel played a significant role in our nation’s homeland security efforts in support of the COVID-19 pandemic and Southwest Border Operations, where they provided critical support in response to the arrival of Afghan refugees to the United States. Additionally, six reserve members volunteered for seven Active Duty for Operational Support-Active Component (ADOS-AC) activations for a total of 1,229 days of augmentation, with significant participation in the Parental Leave Program. Their immediate response and flawless execution of duties ensured the station remained fully mission capable with zero interruption to operations.
Congratulations to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound!