R 071657Z MAY 12 ALCOAST 223/12 COMDTNOTE 1650 SUBJ: 2011 CDR RAY EVANS OUTSTANDING COXSWAIN TROPHY ANNOUNCEMENT 1. I am pleased to announce BM1 Casey M. Wardynski from Coast Guard Station Point Allerton as the winner of the 2011 CDR Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy. This prestigious annual award recognizes a Coast Guard coxswain who demonstrated sustained superior performance, exceptional boat handling skills, and exemplary leadership. 2. BM1 Wardynski displayed superb leadership, professional abilities, and devotion to duty while serving as a certified pursuit coxswain on the CB-OTH and CB-L while assigned to the deck department onboard the CGC SENECA (WMEC-906). 3. BM1 Wardynski demonstrated exemplary coxswain skills and sound judgment while performing non-compliant vessel pursuit and other law enforcement operations in diverse and challenging conditions from Maine to the Caribbean. BM1 Wardynskis key role in the first ever interdiction of a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) in the Caribbean Sea is most noteworthy. He planned and briefed a complex multi-leg 140 NM transit in close proximity to shoal water and foreign territorial seas. The five hour intercept required numerous on-the-spot adjustments based on on-scene conditions and constant communication with the cutter and maritime patrol aircraft. Once on-scene, BM1 Wardynski coordinated a simultaneous intercept with SENECAs embarked helicopter which caused the operators of the SPSS to immediately take actions to scuttle their vessel. With remarkable clarity of thought and outstanding judgment, BM1 Wardynski coordinated the boarding teams actions while directing his crews safe retrieval efforts. His leadership and actions that day resulted in the interdiction of 6.4 metric tons of cocaine (valued at over 172M dollars), the arrest and prosecution of five drug smugglers, and the removal of a drug smuggling vessel from service. During the same patrol, BM1 Wardynski was underway as the rescue boat coxswain during nighttime helicopter operations when a lifeline stanchion unexpectedly failed and three of his shipmates fell overboard. With the helo on deck and rotors still spinning, the cutter was delayed in its response until the deck was secured. BM1 Wardynski reacted instantly to the situation by locating the chemical personal marker lights in the darkness and quickly recovered all three crewmembers, turning a potential tragedy into a successful recovery with only minor injuries. BM1 Wardynskis professionalism and skills were similarly exercised in the harsh conditions of a winter patrol in New England where he served as coxswain during more than forty living marine resources boardings in sub-freezing temperatures. His adroit execution of maneuvers around all sizes of fishing vessels, in often choppy North Atlantic seas, facilitated the safe embarkation and debarkation of boarding teams and supported high-level objectives in the region related to the conservation of fishery resources. More importantly, BM1 Wardynski recognized an opportunity to develop the next generation of boat operations professionals and capitalized on the environment to train coxswains and crew in the most challenging conditions, leading to a team of highly proficient boat crew able to handle strenuous operations. In addition to his acumen as a coxswain, BM1 Wardynski provided a significant leadership role as the leading petty officer of SENECAs deck department and as a qualified deck watch officer, while ensuring sustained mission capability through the certification of two coxswains and three boat crew members. BM1 Wardynskis judgment, experience, and commitment to excellence were integral to SENECAs many patrol successes. His example is a standard to emulate for boat forces professionals throughout the service. 4. Each year it is extremely difficult to select only one recipient from the superb group of Petty Officers who are nominated for this award. Honorable mention goes to the following finalists: A. BM3 Matthew Foussadier, STA Bodega Bay, and B. BM1 Matthew Lowry, CGC MOHAWK (WMEC-913). 5. I am pleased with the number of exceptional quality nomination packages that were submitted and commend all those who took time to acknowledge the many outstanding coxswains we have throughout boat forces. The nominees for this years award are listed below in alphabetical order: A. BM1 Seth Aldrich, STA Woods Hole, B. BM1 Bradley Barley, SMTC, C. BM2 Joseph DAmico, CGC BEAR, D. BM1 Thomas DAmore, STA Buffalo, E. BM3 Caloeb Gandy, STA Jonesport, F. BM2 Ian Kennedy, STA New York, G. BM1 Andrew Kulig, CGC DILIGENCE, H. BM2 Aaron Phillips, CGC BAYBERRY, and I. BM1 Chase Ryan, CGC VIGOROUS. 6. Presentation of the 2011 CDR Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy will be coordinated via SEPCOR. 7. The selection panel members are listed below: A. CAPT Timothy Espinoza, COMDT (CG-731), B. LCDR Jason Ingram, BFCO Yorktown, C. LTJG David Ruhlig, COMDT (CG-731), D. CWO Thomas Guthlein, Ancient Keeper, E. CWO Mark Davenport, COMDT (CG-731), F. CWO Fred Eshelman, Sector Boston, G. CWO David Emerson, COMDT (CG-751), H. BMCM Michael Leavitt, MCPOCG, I. MKCM Terence Vanderwerf, DCO CMC, J. BMCM John DiCave, BM RFMC, and K. BMCS Nicholas Pupo, CG Academy. 8. RDML Mark E. Butt, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends. 9. Internet release authorized.