This award is named after Admiral Russell R. Waesche who, while serving as Commandant, established the Coast Guard Reserve to bolster readiness during World War II. The award is presented to units that are judged to be most supportive of a totally integrated Coast Guard military force as demonstrated by its effective use and support of the Reserve Component during the previous fiscal year.
Category 1: Congratulations to the Fifth Coast Guard District
The Fifth Coast Guard District are recognized for providing invaluable services to Atlantic Area operations while simultaneously maintaining consistently high levels of readiness. During FY2022, the District’s 591 Reserve members served in major ports and strategic facilities from New Jersey to North Carolina and mobilized to the Southwest Border to support DHS surge operations. The dedication and expertise of their fully integrated Reserve force supported the Fifth District in meeting its operational and mission support mandates.
Closely integrated as a part of the total CG force, reservists were able to quickly respond and support Fifth District operations across a wide range of mission sets and geographic areas because of their superb training and operational planning at the field unit level. In FY2022, reservists extended operational capabilities and served as a critical force multiplier, providing vital contingency support and augmentation roles during numerous major events to include Operation Allies Welcome, Operation Fried Shrimp and Grits, the 2022 Presidential State of the Union Address, other high-profile National Security Special Events, and multiple natural disasters.
The Fifth District expertly employed Reserve resource dollars and personnel to accomplish its full range of mission responsibilities in FY2022. Each district unit continues to demonstrate its RC integration and prove its interoperability in support of all major events and given all the extraordinary achievement, support, and dedication, the Fifth District is truly a totally integrated CG military force.
Congratulations to the Fifth Coast Guard District!
Category 2: Congratulations to the Seventh Coast Guard District
The Seventh Coast Guard District hosts the second largest Reserve workforce in the Coast Guard with 719 reservists serving at five Sectors, 18 small boat stations, three Air Stations and two Marine Safety Units. Through routine training and readiness and a multitude of contingency support efforts, the Seventh District reservists serve as a vital force in garrison whose notable efforts directly contributed to Operation Vigilant Sentry (OVS) and Hurricanes IAN and NICOLE.
OVS is an enhanced operational posture which requires surge staffing of active and reserve components to fill 208 CG positions in support of the Seventh District’s Area and Incident Commands. The superior operational readiness of the Seventh District reservists was displayed as the call to action was answered within 72 hours of requested support. Several qualified boat crewman, coxswains, and engineers activated to augment and support the early engagement in the OVS mission and the overall fortified support from the D7 RC directly resulted in the successful interdiction of over 2,000 migrants and has continued to increase to date.
In September 2022, Hurricane IAN made landfall as a devastating category five storm, with wind speeds in excess of 150 mph, causing massive destruction to the Fort Myers area. In response to this storm, more than 1,000 CG men and women were mobilized with 38 aircraft, 15 cutters, and 40 flood response boats to save over 1,000 lives, restore the Marine Transportation System, and render assistance to thousands of residents and CG members assigned to the area.
Seventh District units, from small boat stations to District staff, have fully supported a totally integrated Reserve workforce by training for mobilization, performing operational missions, and standing ready to respond every day.
Congratulations to the Seventh Coast Guard District!