COMDTINST 16798.1
aviation support from multiple districts (i.e., for major disasters, etc.). Members
of the branch will liaison with external agencies or organizations at the federal
and regional level (CAP, FAA, FEMA, State emergency management programs,
etc.) and will act as intermediary for coordinating regional and out of district
outreach efforts by each of the district staff officers with responsibility in
Auxiliary aviation. For example, through the MOU with the Civil Air Patrol
(CAP), the branch will facilitate joint operations throughout the country and will
assist each district staff officer's efforts to coordinate CAP/AUX operations
which cross district boundaries. The branch will be responsible to ensure a pro-
active, focused effort for joint operations.
b.
DISTRICT STAFF. Most Auxiliary aircraft and aircrew are spread throughout an
AOR and therefore require a more regional (district level) approach to management.
The recommendations contained in reference (c), especially the establishment of a
District Aviation Board, are based on that premise. Sufficient flexibility is provided to
effectively manage a program which spans large distances, using diverse resources and
talent pools.
(1)
For purposes of delineating the relative size of district Auxiliary Aviation
Programs, the following criteria will be used: (a) Small - less than fifteen
aircraft. (b) Large - greater than fifteen aircraft. The upgrade of the assistant
district staff officer for aviation (ADSO-OP(A)) to the district staff officer for
aviation (DSO-AV) and the creation of the two additional assistant district staff
officer positions are designed to support those districts having large numbers of
aircraft and aircrew, or particular geographic, personnel or resource issues. For
those districts with smaller Aviation Programs, the required assistant district
staff officer positions may be consolidated and held by one or two persons. At
the discretion of the district commodore (DCO), the small Aviation Program
may be administered by an assistant district staff officer. If the DCO does elect
to administer the Aviation Program with an ADSO vice DSO, he/she should be
aware that the program may not receive the level of recognition and/or support
that is vital to effectively manage such critical operational assets. As the
program matures and crosses the threshold from a small program to a
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