Auxiliarist Phil Stone

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is hosting the 2006 International Search and Rescue (ISAR} competition in Portsmouth, Virginia on Friday, October 27, and Saturday, October 28. The major activities take place at the Portsmouth, Virginia, Seawall at the North Ferry Landing adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel.

ISAR is all about the United States and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary teams competing in search and rescue activities. While these exercises carried out by the competing teams well deserve their praise and the ensuing publicity, the unsung heroes of ISAR are the scores of dedicated Auxiliarists who work behind the scenes to make the event a success.

The two major volunteers in support of ISAR are Auxiliarists Richard Dunnington, Operations Staff Officer of Division 5, D5-SR and Philip Stone, Operations Officer of Flotilla 58, D5-SR. Auxiliarist Dunnington is a well-known Virginia Beach, VA restaurateur, co owner with his brother, Bobby, of the "RAVEN" restaurant and a corporate sponsor of ISAR. Also, he has volunteered his boat, "Raven Rescue" for the event. He is also coordinating the afloat support of the event.

After receiving the requirements from Auxiliary Chief of Administration and Logistics Peter J. de Puy and his assistant, Auxiliarist Richard Asaro, Dunnington has recruited the following vessels for the event:

Provisioning Raven Rescue

• "Apollo II," operated by Jeff Schoenberg.
• "Samantha’s Smile," operated by Billy Jackson to transport the media and VIPs.
• "Raven Rescue," operated by the Dunnington Brothers.
• "Garfield," operated by Stan Miley.
• "Dragonfly," operated by Gaylord Lockett.
• "Windfall," operated by Ralph Lasher for the search and rescue exercises, each boat carrying a judging and scoring team.
• "Sunshine Crazy," operated by Chuck Smith, will transport "Oscar," a floating dummy, for the man overboard rescue competition.
• "Caviar," operated by Laura Lee Demery, will provide security and keep other boats from interfering with the competition.

Auxiliarist Philip Stone, has recruited the following volunteers for the ashore functions.

• Concierge and Assistant Concierge – Ray Durham, Bruce Pettyjohn, Jim Powell, Matt Jaeger. These individuals will function as information specialists and tour guides.
• Registrars – Diane and Fred Gilman, Ed Parkman, Paul De Vita, Bruce Pettyjohn, Mark Solberg, Frank Hudson, Matt Jaeger. These volunteers will dispense tickets to the lunches and dinners and ceremonial events.
• Parade helpers – Jack and Peg Nourie, Bill Garry. These volunteers will organize and dispatch the various military and civilian parade units for Saturday’s parade.