PHOTO RELEASE: U.S. Coast Guard crews a hit at Boy Scouts
of America Makahiki festival in Honolulu, April 18, 2009

HONOLULU-- U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Jarred Devito, a Maritime Safety and Security Team 91107 crew member, shows a boy scout the bow gun on a 25-foot response boat during a troop meet in Sand Island State Recreation Park, Saturday, April 18, 2009.

The Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps had several units on static display for the scouts' annual gathering. An air crew landed an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter at the state park after a flight over from Air Station Barbers Point in Ewa Beach.

The scouts were encouraged to see, touch and experience the "helo" and rescue boat. The MSST crew members, based in Honolulu Harbor, trailered the fully-equipped 25-foot response boat up the road for scouts to view. Scouts and their relatives got to experience what it would be like to be a bow gunner, holding a real M-249 machine gun.

The scouts also learned what it takes to be a boat coxswain, a rescue helicopter pilot and rescue swimmer.

Coast Guardsmen and Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers answered questions and the scouts learned how missions are completed and even how the helicopters and boats work. By the end of the day, everyone got a turn to experience a "day in the life" of a Coast Guardsman.

NOTE: For more information about the Coast Guard's support of the Boy Souts of America event at Sand Island, media may call Petty Officer 3rd Class Luke Clayton at 808-535-3230. Two more full-resolution still images are available for download at www.uscghawaii.com.

U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Luke Clayton