Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod
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| Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod | |
|---|---|
 Unit Patch CGAS Cape Cod |
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| Active | 1970-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Coast Guard |
| Type | Air Station |
| Role | To patrol the Northeast coast from Canada to New York City |
| Garrison/HQ | Otis Air National Guard Base |
| Engagements | Cold War September 11, 2001 attacks |
| Decorations |
     |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Captain Dan Abel |
| Command Master Chief | Keith Rees |
| Ombudsman | Patti Pulliam |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | 4 HH-60 Jayhawk |
| Patrol | 4 HU-25 Guardian |
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod is a United States Coast Guard air station located on Otis Air National Guard Base in Sandwich, Massachusetts. It operates from New York City to the Canadian Border. It was founded in 1970 as a replacement to Salem Coast Guard Air Station.
Contents |
[edit] Missions
The missions of CGAS Cape Cod include search and rescue (SAR), Maritime Law enforcement, International Ice Patrol, aids to navigation support (such as operating lighthouses), and marine environmental protection (such as responding to oil spills). Currently, CGAS Cape Cod maintains and operates the HU-25 Guardian aircraft and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters.
[edit] Operations
Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Cape Cod is located on the Massachusetts Military Reservation and is adjacent to Otis Air National Guard Base.
[edit] History
[edit] CGAS Cape Cod Beginnings
In the 1950s, helicopters began to be incorporated into the Coast Guard. One such helicopter, the H-25A Army Mule was build with amphibious capabilities. Float planes were no longer needed because of this development. Therefore places like Salem Coast Guard Air Station were slowly being phased out. In the 1960s, the Coast Guard began searching for a replacement facility for Salem Coast Guard Air Station, one that could grow as needed and accommodate modern aircraft.
[edit] 1970-1995
In 1968, the Department of Defense agreed to allow the Coast Guard to utilize Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod for a new Coast Guard Air Station. Air Station Cape Cod was officially established on August 29, 1970.[1] The HH-3F Pelican arrived in 1976 at CGAS Cape Cod. In 1979, a Pelican crashed while responding to a distress call 180 miles southeast of the Cape. The four members who died in the crash were the only members of the Station to ever lose their lives while out on a rescue mission. The Pelican continued in service until replaced by the HH-60 Jayhawk in the 90s. The HH-52A Seaguard helicopter was phased out prior to the Jayhawk coming on board. The HU-25 Guardians arrived at CGAS Cape Cod, in 1982, replacing the HU-16 Albatross. The last Albatross, CGNR 7250, was retired on March 10, 1983 and is on display outside the entrance to the air station. The 7250 was not only the last Coast Guard Albatross, but the last fixed-wing amphibious aircraft in US inventory.
[edit] 1995-Present
The Air Station has participated in rescues of sailors from Canada to New York. Cape Cod also has the only HU-25 aircraft in the Coast Guard equipped with Aireye, an airborne oil spill tracking and mapping system.[2] The Coast Guard will soon replace the HU-25 with the HC-144 Ocean Sentry.
[edit] Geographic Location
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod is located at 41°39′54″N 70°31′21″W / 41.665°N 70.5225°W.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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