ALCOAST 175/21 - MAY 2021 ORDER OF DAEDALIANS USCG EXCEPTIONAL AVIATOR AWARD RECIPIENT

R 061045Z MAY 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 175/21
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: ORDER OF DAEDALIANS USCG EXCEPTIONAL AVIATOR AWARD RECIPIENT
1. COMDT (CG-7) is honored to announce LCDR William Sirokman of Air
Station Sitka as the winner of the 2020 Order of Daedalians USCG
Exceptional Aviator Award.
2. A master of craft and leader in the aircraft, LCDR Sirokman
served as an Alaska Aircraft Commander and Flight Examiner,
amassing 265 flight hours in an area of responsibility roughly the
size of Florida, characterized by a harsh Arctic maritime
environment and mountainous terrain. His efforts resulted in the
completion of 22 pilot upgrade events and 22 search and rescue
cases that saved or assisted 17 lives. Notably, on 22 August 2020,
he courageously led the crew of CGNR 6025 on a 150-mile transit
through treacherous Southeast Alaska mountain passes and narrow
waterways to rescue a woman stranded on the Taiya River near
Skagway, Alaska. The river's swift currents had capsized her canoe,
dumping her into the frigid 44 degree water where she clung to a
log 75 yards from the shore for five hours. LCDR Sirokman's rapid
on-scene evaluation, initiative, and judgment in the dangerous
swift water environment significantly lowered the risk for this
dynamic and challenging case and was unquestionably a critical
factor in saving the hypothermic woman's life. LCDR Sirokman
ensured mission success with his superb handling of 36 search and
rescue cases that saved or assisted 29 lives while acting as
Assistant Operations Officer of Air Station Sitka. His exceptional
risk management of a non-maritime MEDEVAC with high potential for
COVID-19 exposure and serving as the Director of Decontamination to
lead the air station through an early morning aircrew and aircraft
decontamination process were vital to the mission's success and
were instrumental in demonstrating the unit's ability to maintain
high levels of mission effectiveness at the height of the pandemic.
LCDR Sirokman's leadership as the Chair of the Flight Examining
Board set the tone for all the unit's examiners and instructors.
Overcoming unique challenges of personnel and flight-hour
reductions of up to 30% due to COVID-19 mitigation, and not having
a local training boat for 50% of the year, he led an extremely
productive and top-notch training program that resulted in the
upgrade of nine pilots, six flight mechanics, one rescue swimmer,
and three basic aircrew.
3. COMDT (CG-7) congratulates LCDR William Sirokman on his herioc
efforts in the performance of this life-saving mission and his
exceptional support of operations.
4. COMDT (CG-7) would like to congratulate all of the nominees for
their accomplishments, and thank the nominating commands for taking
the time to recognize their heroic efforts. They are all worthy of
high honor, Bravo Zulu to all.
5. Honorable mention goes out to the following pilots and air
stations:
LCDR Lane Cutler, Air Station Atlantic City
LCDR Matthew Hunt, Air Station Sacramento
LCDR Jesse Hyles, Aviation Logistics Center
LCDR Peter Schofield, Air Station Houston
LT Lars Anderson, Air Station Kodiak
LT Eric Schwartz, Air Station San Francisco
6. COMDT (CG-711) POC for this award is MCPO Bryan Salazar at
Bryan.P.Salazar@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2221.
7. RDML John W. Mauger, Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7),
sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.