The Commanding Officers of the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL and Air Station New Orleans in a joint message applauded the commitment and skills of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Wing.

These two Coast Guard bases have been at the forefront of providing unparallel air rescue in the face of probably this nation's worst natural disaster.

According to CAPTs B. C. Jones and D. R. Callahan, "the Aux Air assets, as always, stepped up to the plate and provided outstanding support to the operation."

The Coast Guard Air Auxiliary, have as of 13 September, seventeen (17) Air Craft involved in rescue operations. The aircrews have flown 56 sorties for a total of 209 hours."

Coast Guard helicopters operating over New Orleans during the first seven days saved an astonishing 6,470 lives (4,731 by hoist) during 723 sorties and 1,507 flight hours. Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft and their crews enabled to some extent, their Active Duty brethren, to accomplish these feats.

"Their commitment allowed SAR aircraft to stay focused on SAR while still accomplishing necessary logistics missions."

Callhan and Jones conveyed this to their Coasties, "To those hundreds of devoted Coast Guard men and women who toiled to and beyond the point of exhaustion; you embodied our core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. You have earned your place in history. Be proud of your extraordinary accomplishments."