ALCOAST 370/25 - SEP 2025 2024 USCG DEPLOYABLE SPECIALIZED FORCES (DSF) AWARDS

R 021844Z SEP 25 MID120012032716U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 370/25
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2024 USCG DEPLOYABLE SPECIALIZED FORCES (DSF) AWARDS
A. Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) Awards, COMDTINST 1650.30A
1. This message announces the recipients of the 2024 USCG Deployable
Specialized Forces (DSF) Awards. The following members are
recognized for their exemplary contributions within the DSF during
calendar year 2024.
2. I am honored to announce the recipients of the 2024 DSF Awards
in the following categories:
     a. DSF Award for Outstanding Mission Support: HSC RACHEL LARSON,
TACLET Pacific. As the 144-person unit's IDHS, she enabled
counterdrug operations during the highest operational tempo period
in the program's 44-year history, resulting in 34 interdictions,
the apprehension of 123 narco-terrorists, and seizure of 57,632
kilograms of contraband valued at $1.53 billion. She devoted 200
hours testing workflows, defining requirements for electronic health
records used in low/no connectivity areas, and drafting 300 incident
reports and making recommendations to exponentially improve patient
care in support of Defense Health Agency initiatives. During the
U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General's Cup, she led her team to
victory by prevailing in 19 of 23 sporting events, making TACLET
Pacific the first-ever Coast Guard unit to win in the competition's
70-year history.
Honorable Mention: MK1 ANTHONY COLLADO, PSU 308
     b. DSF Emergency Response Award (Enlisted): BM1 JESSE WILDE,
Pacific Strike Team. Deploying for 77 days, he managed responses to
challenging natural disasters and high-profile events while
providing technical support to the Environmental Protection Agency
and Federal Emergency Management Agency. In response to Hurricane
HELENE, he led wide-area searches and provided assistance to the
most affected communities. He then mobilized for Hurricane MILTON,
enabling communities to recover from devastation. He also performed
a key role after the M/V Aurora sinking, enabling removal of 21,675
gallons of oily water and 2,193 gallons of hazardous waste. Finally,
he organized unit participation in Seattle Fleet Week, creating a
hands-on display of Strike Team capabilities that left a lasting
impression on 300,000 attendees.
Honorable Mention: BM1 DUSTIN MADDEN, Gulf Strike Team
     c. DSF Emergency Response Award (Officer/Civilian):
CWO IAN THOMPSON, Pacific Strike Team. Deploying for 72 days,
he responded to complex natural disasters and led pioneering
international engagements. Managing the response to the
M/V EL CONQUISTADOR, he leveraged interagency partnerships to
mitigate pollution threats via rapid onboard assessment and
underwater survey. He enhanced the team's hazardous materials and
confined space response capabilities by coordinating a multi-state
exercise. These efforts paid immediate dividends when tar balls
soon appeared on the coast and he directed an expedient shoreline
assessment and critical habitat identification. During Hurricanes
HELENE and MILTON, he led a Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue
team to provide assistance to affected communities. Lastly, he
directed the first flood response exercise and overseas deployment
during the Rim of the Pacific exercise.
Honorable Mention: LT SAMANTHA REINBOLD, CG IMAT
     d. DC3 Nathan B. Bruckenthal Award, DSF Tactical Operator of the
Year (Enlisted): MEC NICHOLAS PFAUTZ, TACLET Pacific. Lading above
his paygrade as Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 105's Deployable
Team Leader while embarked on USS FARRAGUT (DDG-99) and USS ST LOUIS
(LCS-19), he advanced Southern Command objectives while combatting
Foreign Terrorist Organizations. His efforts led to three
interdictions that detained nine narco-terrorists and seized 1,298
kilograms of cocaine valued at $45.4 million. He led the Service's
contingent in support of PHOENIX EXPRESS, testing U.S., European,
and North African maritime forces' ability to combat irregular
immigration and illicit trafficking. Volunteering nearly 100 hours
to lead Close Quarters Combat and Water Survival training, he
facilitated sustainment training for 120 Tactical Operators,
enabling the service to conduct critical operations around the
globe.
Honorable Mention: MEC JONATHAN FITZPATRICK, TACLET Pacific
     e. CDR Joe Rodriguez Award, DSF Tactical Operator of the Year
(Officer): LT RAYMOND ZHANG, Maritime Security Response Team West.
In support of operation PACIFIC EAGLE, he coordinated support to
Special Operations Task Force 511.2 to provide counter-terrorism
advice and assist operations with the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, advancing U.S. national security interests and
strengthening partnerships with a key ally. In response to foreign
military aggression, he helped form Joint Task Force AYUNGIN,
facilitating interoperability training with partner forces and
enabling rotation and resupply missions critical to regional
stability. He also oversaw the deployment of tactical teams to
Australia and Japan for exercises PACIFIC PROTECTOR and KEEN SWORD,
working with Special Operations Forces from the U.S. and
international allies.
Honorable Mention: LTJG AUDREY DEAN, TACLET South
     f. Domestic Maritime Security Award: BM1 THOMAS SANSOCIE,
Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Honolulu (91107).
He completed 96 missions and over 380 underway hours, including
220 at night, interdicting over 40 migrants and contributing to
national security through participation in Presidential and high
visibility National Special Security Events. During the Rim of the
Pacific exercise, he integrated MSST and PSU operations and enhanced
international security cooperation by escorting Japanese naval
vessels into Pearl Harbor. He greatly enhanced capabilities by
pioneering the operational use of the Pepper Ball Launcher System
and strengthened interoperability by leading interagency training
initiatives with Department of Defense and regional partners.
Further, he acted as Training Petty Officer for 51 members and
earned the Deployable Team Leader qualification.
Honorable Mention: BM1 KEVIN RING, MSST San Francisco (91105)
     g. Expeditionary Maritime Security Award: MEC DAVID KELLEY, Port
Security Unit (PSU) 309. He volunteered as team leader for the
15-member crew of the first Embarked Security Team (EST) mission
mobilized to Guam. Through intensive research, he developed gear
requirements and procured $40,000 of essential equipment that
established a template for follow-on teams. He coordinated pre-
deployment training with the U.S. Navy, ensuring all members
received required certifications as Sentry, Combat Skills, and Chief
of the Guard. An ME1 at the time, he operated above his paygrade by
certifying as Tactical Supervisor and Mission Commander, positions
normally held by an E-8 and O-4 respectively. Selected as Tactical
Supervisor for the detachment's first employment, he led continuous
security operations for U.S. flagged ships throughout the strategic
Northern Pacific. Finally, he earned the U.S. Navy Enlisted
Expeditionary Warfare Insignia.
Honorable Mention: ME2 KACEE DINA, PSU 311
3. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to these
outstanding award winners for their dedication and success.
I also wish to thank their leadership for taking the time to
recognize them. These acknowledgments highlight the exceptional
efforts and contributions of our DSF community, which play a vital
role in maintaining our Service's status as the world's premier
Coast Guard.
4. RDML Amy B. Grable, Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7),
sends.
5. Internet release is authorized.