Yes | Coast Guard Aviation History

Agusta MH-68 “Stingray” (2001)

In March 2001, an agreement with Agusta Aerospace Corporation was made to lease eight A109E Power helicopters. HITRON Jacksonville faced many new challenges as they converted a civilian corporate helicopter into an armed shipboard deployable aircraft. These aircraft were equipped with the latest radar and Forward Looking Infrared sensor system capable of recording activities on … Read more

Sikorsky HH-60J “ayhawk” (1990)

The HH-60J Jayhawk is a medium-range recovery helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. It is a multi-mission aircraft used to perform search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness, and marine environmental protection missions. The United States Coast Guard purchased 42 HH-60Js. They replaced the Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican helicopters that the Coast Guard had used for … Read more

Aerospatiale HH-65A/B/C “Dolphin” (1985)

The twin-engine Dolphins operate up to 150 miles off shore and will fly comfortably at 120 knots for three hours. Though normally stationed ashore, the Dolphins can be carried on board medium and high endurance Coast Guard Cutters. The cutters are capable of refueling and supporting the helicopter for the duration of a patrol. The … Read more

Sikorsky- HH-3F “Pelican” (1967)

In November 1967 the US Coast Guard procured the first of the HH-3F Pelican Helicopters. This twin turbine, medium range, amphibious, all weather helicopter extended the Coast Guard offshore search and rescue capabilities. The HH-3F had a maximum speed of 142 knots with a normal cruise speed of 130 knots and a range of … Read more

Sikorsky HH-52A “Seaguard” (1963)

The Sikorsky HH-52A helicopter was developed from a Sikorsky commercial S-62 amphibious helicopter. The S–62 had features that were desired by the Coast Guard. It floated on an amphibious hull, it was turbine powered, had a large main cabin and it was built utilizing proven components..The automatic stabilization system used on the S-62 was a … Read more

Lockheed HC-130 B/H/J “Hercules” (1959)

The C-130s have proven to be ideal for the Coast Guard mission. The first airplanes delivered to the Coast Guard were C-130Bs. In 1966 the USCG received another version of the HERCULES, a specially configured EC-130E equipped with calibration equipment for the service’s far-flung LORAN stations. In the late sixties and early seventies, the Coast … Read more

Fairchild C-123B “Provider” (1958)

In October of 1953 the Fairchild Aircraft Company was awarded the contract to begin a series production of 293 C-123B aircraft. It had an upswept rear fuselage modified with a hydraulically operated loading ramp. This shape remains the characteristic of most modern military transports to this day. The C-123B was utilized as a troop carrier, … Read more

Martin P5M-1G/2G “ Marlin” (1954)

The prototype P5M Marlin was based on the PBM-5 Mariner. The P5M had the same wing but an extensively modified fuselage with a hull that extended the full length of the aircraft. It featured a tall single vertical stabilizer instead of the twin tail fins of the PBM-5 and the horizontal stabilizer featured a strong … Read more

Martin VC-3A (1953)

The Coast Guard acquired two Martin 4-0-4’s in 1952. The Martin 4-0-4 was a pressurized passenger airliner built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. They were initially designated RM-1 but this changed to RM-1Z after their interiors were upgraded. The designation again changed as per a DoD directive to VC-3A. They were given Coast Guard … Read more

Grumman UF-1G/2G (later HU-16E) “Albatross” (1951)

The Albatross, known by those who flew it as the “Goat”, proved to be ideal for the Coast Guard. It could operate from both land and water. For take-offs in open sea or short field operations it could be fitted with JATO affixed to each side of the aft fuselage. The external store racks fitted … Read more

A Project of the Coast Guard Aviation Association