East End Coast Guard Auxiliary Members Honored for Service

Two members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Eastern Long Island Division were recognized for superior performance during the division’s Change of Watch ceremony held March 21 at Edgewater Restaurant.

Chief Warrant Officer Chris Skala, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, presented the awards and cited the role auxiliary volunteers play in supporting Coast Guard missions and public safety.

Jim Agals, vice flotilla commander of the East Moriches Flotilla, received the Auxiliary Letter of Commendation for service in 2025. Agals logged 154 officially reported hours and additional untracked hours supporting both the auxiliary and active-duty personnel.

His work included public education courses, vessel safety examinations and culinary support for Station Shinnecock personnel. He also coordinated morale and family-support events, including seasonal programs for Coast Guard families.

John Nicholson, Vice Flotilla Commander of Southold Flotilla is awarded an AuxiliaryAchievement Medal by Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Skala Station Shinnecock Commanding Officer.John Walthers

Agals also served as ombudsman for Station Shinnecock and expanded support to personnel and families at Sector Field Office Moriches and Station Montauk.

John Nicholson, immediate past division commander of the Eastern Long Island Division and vice flotilla commander of the Southold Flotilla, received the Auxiliary Achievement Medal for service from January 2024 through December 2025.

During Nicholson’s tenure, Division 18 recorded more than 19,000 volunteer hours in support of Coast Guard operations, including 745 hours of underway missions such as maritime observation, search and rescue standbys and aids to navigation verification.

Division members also conducted more than 600 vessel safety examinations, logged over 1,000 hours of public boating safety education, provided hundreds of hours of culinary support, completed 575 hours of radio watchstanding and contributed nearly 1,000 hours of public affairs outreach across the tri-state area.

Skala said the total volunteer service equates to about seven full-time active-duty personnel for one year and represents a cost savings of more than $500,000.

“The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our auxiliary members directly contributes to mission success and the safety of the boating public,” Skala said.