ALCOAST 050/26 - FEB 2026 2026 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS AND GEOFF PAGELS SAR PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR AWARDS SOLICITATION

R 101324Z FEB 26   MID320018529746U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 050/26
SSIC 16100
SUBJ: 2026 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS AND
GEOFF PAGELS SAR PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR AWARDS SOLICITATION
A. Recognition Programs, COMDTINST 1650.26B
B. Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST 16790.1G
1. This ALCOAST solicits nominees for the 2026 Association for the
Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) and 2026 Geoff Pagels Search and Rescue (SAR)
Professionals of the Year awards.
2. Background.
    a. AFRAS Gold and Silver Awards.
        (1) Formed in 1976, AFRAS is a non-profit foundation that
supports services concerned with saving lives at sea. The AFRAS
awards program provides the opportunity for Area and District
Commanders, Commanding Officers, and Officers-in-Charge to
recognize deserving Coast Guard personnel for bravery in the
conduct of SAR missions.
        (2) The AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals are the highest SAR
awards presented to a Coast Guard member by a civilian
organization.
              (a) Gold Medal. Established in 1982, the Gold Medal is
presented annually to a Coast Guard enlisted person for an act of
extraordinary bravery during a rescue at sea.
              (b) Silver Medal. Established in 2000, the Silver Medal
(silver reflects the distinctive Auxiliary uniform) is presented
annually to a deserving Coast Guard Auxiliarist. A collective
nomination may be submitted for members of the same boat or air
crew.
    b. Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year Awards.
Established in 2023, the Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year
awards honor the legacy of the first Coast Guard civilian SAR
Specialist.
3. Awards presentation. The AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals and the
Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year awards will be announced
via ALCOAST. Awardees will be honored in a ceremony in Washington,
D.C. in 2026. Ceremony participants often include congressional
representatives, AFRAS leadership, the Commandant of the Coast
Guard, and other senior Coast Guard leaders. Award recipients will
be honored at the ceremony and family members are invited to attend.
4. Awards eligibility.
    a. AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals. AFRAS selects recipients from
among nominations submitted. Award criteria are set forth in REF (A)
and reiterated below.
        (1) Gold Medal nominees must be enlisted members on active
duty at the time of the rescue being recognized. Silver Medal
nominees must be Coast Guard Auxiliarists at the time of the
rescue being recognized.
        (2) For both the Gold and Silver Medals, the response must
have involved a lifesaving rescue from the perils of the sea where
the heroic actions of the nominee are uniquely distinguished.
However, consideration will be given to all rescues involving
life-threatening situations.
    b. Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year Awards.
        (1) One nomination may be submitted for outstanding
contribution to the SAR mission readiness of Coast Guard SAR
Professionals. This includes training, relationship building and
mentorship.
        (2) A second nomination may be submitted for a member or team
that demonstrated outstanding professionalism in the planning and
coordination of a SAR mission.
    c. Each award nomination must be for an event that occurred
during calendar year 2025.
5. Administration.
    a. Units are encouraged to submit nominations for both AFRAS Gold
and Silver Medals and the Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year
Awards to COMDT (CG-SAR). AFRAS Silver Medal nominations may be
submitted to COMDT (CG-SAR) by the District Commodore via the
District Director of Auxiliary.
    b. All nominations must consist of:
        (1) A memorandum identifying the award recommendation, the
nominee and pay grade (if applicable), current duty station/
Auxiliary Flotilla, and expiration of enlistment (if applicable).
        (2) Coast Guard Award Recommendation, Form CG-1650.
        (3) Per REF (A), the award citation.
        (4) Any additional information pertinent to AFRAS evaluation
of the nomination.
    c. Forward command endorsed nominations via email to COMDT
(CG-SAR) Awards POC: Mr. Mike Clarke at michael.e.clarke@uscg.mil.
Notify Mr. Clarke of any pending award nomination submission.
    d. Award nominations must be received by COMDT (CG-SAR) by
17 MAR 25.
6. RADM M. M. Dean, Assistance Commandant for Operations Integration
and Response Policy (CG-3/CG-5R), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.