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Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7)

Office of Aviation Forces (CG-711)

The Rotary Wing & Special Missions division (CG-7112) manages all operational Coast Guard Aviation helicopter platforms and Aviation Special Missions. From innovations in unmanned aircraft to the age-old rescue swimmer program, this division of 711 is responsible for some of the most unique aspects of Coast Guard aviation.

The mainstay of the Coast Guard's rotary wing fleet, the Dolphin has been with the Coast Guard since the early 1980's. It conducts all the bread-and-butter Coast Guard helicopter operations: SAR, port patrol, maritime investigation and interdiction.

More about the HH/MH-65 D/E (Dolphin)
The H-65 helicopter — the Coast Guard’s most ubiquitous aircraft — is certified for operation in all-weather and night-time operations, with the exception of icing conditions. There are 100 H-65s in the inventory. The H-65 is the primary Coast Guard aircraft used aboard certified cutters during deployments. FLIR, a heads-up display (HUD) and other avionics upgrades are being installed aboard the H-65 as part of the ongoing conversion-sustainment initiative to sustain the airframe for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the re-designation of Airborne Use of Force (AUF) MH-65Cs reflects the installation of armament and a significantly upgraded communications package. Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville was the first operational Coast Guard unit to employ the MH-65C and has a total of 10 aircraft assigned to replace the MH-68A Stingray aircraft. The current transition to the MH-65D is designed to address obsolete component issues and is slated to be complete by summer of 2015. In FY17 the Coast Guard will introduce the MH-65E to the fleet. Currently under development, the MH-65E will feature an all-glass cockpit with advanced navigation capabilities to meet emerging FAA requirements.
Air Stations
- CGAS Barbers Point, Hawaii
- CGAS Borinquen, Puerto Rico
- CGAS Atlantic City, New Jersey
- CGAS Corpus Christi, Texas
- CGAS Detroit, Michigan
- CGAS HITRON Jacksonville, FL
- CGAS Houston, Texas
- CGAS Humbolt Bay, California
- CGAS Los Angeles, California
- CGAS Miami, Florida
- ATC Mobile, Alabama
- CGAS New Orleans, Louisiana
- CGAS North Bend, Oregon
- CGAS San Francisco, California
- CGAS Port Angeles, Washington
- CGAS Savannah, Georgia
Specifications
Power Plant
MH-65C: Two 853 hp Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG has turbine engines
Performance
Max Speed: 175 knots (MH-65C)
Cruising Speed: 148 knots (MH-65C)
Service Ceiling ~10,000 ft
Range: 290 nautical miles (MH-65C)
Weight
Gross Weight:9,480 lbs (MH-65C)
Dimensions
Rotor Diameter: 39ft 2in
Length: 44ft 5in
Height: 13ft 5in
Armament
Single 7.62mm M240B/H machine gun
7.62mm shoulder-fired precision weapon
.50-caliber shoulder-fired precision weapon
Crew
2 pilots
1 flight mechanic
1 rescue swimmer

The MH-60T is a derivative of the Army's Blackhawk based on the Navy's SH-60F airframe. Initially incorporated into the Coast Guard in 1990, the MH-60T is a workhorse for SAR missions, routine patrols and Homeland Security.

More about the MH-60T: Jayhawk
The MH-60 is an all weather, medium-range helicopter (specialized for search and recovery) similar to the Navy MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk, with its basic roots in the Army H-60 Blackhawk. The service began to operate the MH-60J in 1990 as a replacement to the now-retired HH-3F Pelican, and it is typically operated by a crew of four. The last unit operating the MH-60J is CGAS Clearwater. They are currently completing the MH-60J to MH-60T transition which will be completed in May 2013.
There are 42 total MH-60s in the Coast Guard air fleet, with 35 in operational use, most of which have undergone the MH-60T conversion since 2008. Seven H-60s are at various levels of depot maintenance and MH-60T upgrade at the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC. The MH-60T upgrade consist of a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS). CAAS is an integrated "glass" cockpit which provides updated avionics and integrated Electro-optical Sensor System with recording capability via a removable memory module. CAAS also replaces legacy radios with the AN/ARC 210, ARC 220 and the RT-5000/SAR radios.
The MH-60 is located at seven Coast Guard and ATC Mobile Air Stations, equipped with sensors and equipment for search and rescue missions. Four H-60 units Maintain Airborne Use of Force (AUF) and all of the MH-60s are AUF equipped.
Air Stations
- CGAS Traverse City, Michigan
- ATC Mobile, Alabama
- CGAS Kodiak, Alaska
- CGAS Sitka, Alaska
- CGAS San Diego, California
- CGAS Clearwater, Florida
- CGAS Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- CGAS Elizabeth City, NC
- CGAS Astoria, OR
Specifications
Power Plant
Two 1,560 shp General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines
Performance
Max Speed: 180 knots
Service Ceiling: 18,000 ft
Range: 700 nautical miles
Weight
Empty: 14,500 lbs
Gross Weight: 21,884 lbs
Armament
Single 7.62mm M240J machine gun
7.62mm shoulder-fired precision weapon
Dimensions
Rotor Diameter: 53ft 8in
Length: 64ft 10in
Height: 17ft
Main Rotor Disc Area: 2,261 sq ft

A blanket program to cover all non-standard and special use aviation missions and activities. Currently synonymous with the Aviation Use of Force or Armed Helicopter initiatives.

More about Aviation Special Missions

The Aviation Special Missions (ASM) Program coordinates allocation and policy for special aviation capabilities required to fulfill mission requirements for Coast Guard operations. These capabilities (current or envisioned) include Airborne Use of Force (AUF), Rotary Wing Air Intercept (RWAI), Vertical Insertion (VI), and tools to counter Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Environments (CBRNE).

Aviation Special Mission capabilities are distributed throughout a variety of Coast Guard Aviation platforms and units.

The Rescue Swimmer program manager oversees the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer operational program.

More about the Rescue Swimmer Program
The Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer (RS) Program, established after the renowned MARINE ELECTRIC incident of 1983 (USCG Historian's article) has evolved tremendously through its history. The program began as a high seas rescue initiative to recover incapacitated persons from the open ocean in a heavy seas environment. Procedures and skill sets originally adopted from the U.S. Navy have been updated and incorporated into today’s program to meet the ever changing operational climate and environmental conditions that the CG encounters daily. These changes routinely require a RS to operate and perform rescues utilizing a variety of techniques and equipment while adapting to many hazardous environments. These environments change based on the Air Station’s geographical location and Area of Responsibility, thus continuous training and standardization are paramount ensuring RS’s are capable to meet the mission of the CG RS program.
Comprised of enlisted men and women from the Aviation Survival Technician “AST” rating, RS’s complete the initial 18-week training course at Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, NC. The school’s primary responsibility is to ensure that graduating RS’s have the flexibility, strength, endurance, and equipment knowledge to function for 30 minutes in heavy seas. Upon graduation RS’s are required to complete Coast Guard EMT School located at Technical Training Center Petaluma, CA and successfully pass the National Registry EMT exam enabling them to provide basic pre-hospital life support for the rescued individual(s).
The primary mission of the helicopter RS is to provide Rotary Wing stations with the capability of deploying a properly trained and conditioned person to assist persons in distress in the maritime environment. RS’s are essential aircrew and required by CG policy to be stationed at all helicopter units with Search and Rescue capabilities.
Advanced rescue training is completed at Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS) in Astoria, OR. AHRS is a 5-day course, convening 10-weeks annually, with a primary focus utilizing advanced procedures and techniques for completing rescues in high seas, vertical surfaces (cliffs), and cave rescue. AHRS is staffed by the Aviation Training Center (ATC) Mobile RS Training Branch. Class participants consists of qualified pilots, flight mechanics, and RS’s stationed at various units across the fleet.
Management of the CG Helicopter RS Program is the responsibility of the CG Office of Aviation Operations, CG-7112, RS Program Manager. Duties of the RS Program Manger include but are not limited to:
- Oversees the CG helicopter RS operational program.
- Provide representation and technical subject matter expertise for Working Groups regarding RS Program and Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE).
- Monitor RS operational issues throughout the fleet including training requirements, rescue procedures and equipment.
- Coordinate resolution of RS operational issues with ATC Mobile Standardization Teams while managing the implementation of these resolutions.
- Coordinate resolution of Aviation Life Support Equipment issues with ALSE Prime Unit and ALSE Technical Services.
- Liaise with Office of Workforce Management (CG-481) to address AST/RS Training and staffing concerns.
- Liaise with Systems Integrations Division (CG-412) regarding technical guidance and support of Aviation Life Support Equipment.
- Liaise with Office of Boat Forces (CG-731) regarding technical guidance and support of Personal Protective Equipment.
- Attendance of annual vendor meetings to maintain visibility of current equipment changes/modifications.
- Attendance of DOD sponsored events regarding common equipment and procedures topics.

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Air Stations

Specifications

Air Stations

Specifications