The Full List of U.S. Coast Guard Air Stations in 2024

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Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. Coast Guard Air Stations (CGAS), also abbreviated as AirSta, are crucial for the Coast Guard’s aviation operations, utilizing about 210 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft stationed across 24 locations in the U.S.
  • As of now, the U.S. Coast Guard operates 24 active Air Stations across various locations to carry out its missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection and more.
  • There are no Coast Guard air stations outside the United States.
  • The largest Coast Guard Air Station is Air Station Clearwater, located at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater, Florida.
  • Public access to Coast Guard Air Stations is generally restricted, but exceptions are made for special events and national holidays.
  • Coast Guard Air Stations are not in every state. They are specifically located in New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. Some of these states host more than one station.
  • The state of Florida has the most Coast Guard Air Stations, with key locations in Miami, Clearwater, and Jacksonville.

Coast Guard Air Stations

coast guard air stations
U.S. Coast Guard Active Air Stations

The list of Coast Guard air stations is organized by the Coast Guard district:

Air StationUSCG DistrictLocationEstablished
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod1st DistrictSandwich, Massachusetts1970
Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City5th DistrictAtlantic City, New Jersey1998
Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City5th DistrictElizabeth City, North Carolina1940
Coast Guard Air Station Washington5th DistrictArlington, Virginia1952
Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater7th DistrictClearwater, Florida1934
Coast Guard Air Station Miami7th DistrictOpa-locka, Florida1964
Coast Guard Air Station Savannah7th DistrictSavannah, Georgia1963
Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen7th DistrictAguadilla, Puerto Rico1971
Coast Guard Air Station Houston8th DistrictHouston, Texas1963
Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi8th DistrictCorpus Christi, Texas1950
Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans8th DistrictBelle Chasse, Louisiana1955
Coast Guard Aviation Training Center8th DistrictMobile, Alabama1966
Coast Guard Air Station Waukegan9th DistrictWaukegan, IllinoisN/A
Coast Guard Air Facility Muskegon9th DistrictMuskegon, MichiganN/A
Coast Guard Air Station Detroit9th DistrictMt. Clemens, Michigan1966
Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City9th DistrictTraverse City, Michigan1946
Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay11th DistrictHumboldt Bay, California1977
Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento11th DistrictMcClellan, California1978
Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco11th DistrictSan Francisco, California1941
Coast Guard Station Ventura11th DistrictPoint Mugu, CA2023
Coast Guard Air Station San Diego11th DistrictSan Diego, California1937
Coast Guard Air Station Astoria13th DistrictWarrenton, Oregon1964
Coast Guard Air Station North Bend13th DistrictNorth Bend, Oregon1974
Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles13th DistrictPort Angeles, Washington1935
Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point14th DistrictKapolei, Hawaii1949
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak17th DistrictKodiak, Alaska1947
Coast Guard Air Station Sitka17th DistrictSitka, Alaska1977
Air Support Facility Cordova17th DistrictCordova, Alaska1980

This guide includes detailed overviews of each Coast Guard Air Station, making it quite long also a thorough resource for all your needs. I hope you find it helpful and informative.

First District

Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod

Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, established in 1970, is the sole operational air station in the Coast Guard’s First District, serving as a replacement for the former Air Station Salem. Operated under the Department of Homeland Security’s jurisdiction, the station, commanded by Captain Scott Langham, covers operations from New York City to the Canada-U.S. border.

The station features two runways, one 2,895.9 meters long and the other 2,438.4 meters. It operates specialized aircraft, including the HC-144 Ocean Sentry and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters.

The station is also known for the tragic 1979 helicopter crash of Helo CG-1432 during a medical evacuation, which resulted in the loss of four crew members. A memorial at the station’s entrance honors their memory. Notably, former station helicopter pilot Daniel C. Burbank later became a NASA astronaut.

  • Location: Sandwich, Massachusetts.
  • Operational Range: New York City to the Canada-U.S. border.
  • Establishment Date: 1970
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: HC-144 Ocean Sentry and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters
  • Contact Information: (508) 968-6644

Advised reading: How to Join the Coast Guard

Fifth District

Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City

Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, established on May 18, 1998, is the newest and largest unit focused on a single airframe. It was created by combining the former Air Stations in Brooklyn and Cape May.

Located 9 miles northwest of Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Atlantic City International Airport, the station operates from the William J Hughes Technical Center of the Federal Aviation Administration in Egg Harbor Township.

The station employs about 250 aviation personnel and manages a fleet of 12 MH-65E Dolphin helicopters. Always ready for quick deployment, two helicopters maintain a 30-minute response readiness.

Since 2006, the station has supported Operation Noble Eagle, a Department of Defense initiative to protect Washington, D.C.

  • Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey.
  • Operational Range: The station’s operational jurisdiction spans Coast Guard Districts One and Five, covering the coastlines of seven states, including Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Additionally, it oversees interior waterways such as the Chesapeake, Delaware, Hudson, and Long Island Sound.
  • Establishment Date: May 18, 1998
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65E Dolphin
  • Contact Information: 609-677-2222

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City

Commissioned on August 15, 1940, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City started with four officers, 52 enlisted men, and ten aircraft. It is located sixty miles north of Cape Hatteras and was selected for its strategic importance as a seaplane base.

During World War II, the station participated in search and rescue (SAR), anti-submarine warfare, and training missions.

The station, positioned at Elizabeth City Regional Airport in North Carolina near the Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound, currently employs about 855 officers and enlisted personnel.

Recognized as one of the busiest U.S. Coast Guard air stations, it provides military healthcare and emergency services 24/7, including fully operational fire and police departments.

In popular culture, the station was depicted in the 2006 film ‘The Guardian’ and supported the Amazon Prime series ‘Jack Ryan.’

  • Location: Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
  • Operational Range: The Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City conducts missions as far afield as Greenland, the Azores, and the Caribbean.
  • Establishment Date: August 15, 1940
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: HC-130J Hercules and MH-60T Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: (252) 335-6468

Read also: Guide to Coast Guard Boot Camp

US Coast Guard Air Station Washington

Originally established as Air Detachment Arlington in 1952, the station was renamed Air Station Washington in 1974. It is located at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, where it has been since its founding.

Officially commissioned on February 20, 1952, its initial mission was to provide VIP transportation and perform specialized tasks as instructed by Coast Guard Headquarters.

Throughout its history, the station has operated various aircraft types. Initially, the fleet included Martin 404s, a VC-4A Grumman Gulfstream I, and a VC-11A Gulfstream II.

In 1994, the station enhanced its capabilities by acquiring a C20B Gulfstream III from the Air Force. It further modernized its fleet with the addition of a C-37A Gulfstream V on May 11, 2002.

  • Location: Arlington County, Virginia
  • Operational Range: Atlantic Area
  • Establishment Date: February 20 1952
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: C-37A Gulfstream V, C20B Gulfstream III, and more.

Seventh District

Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater

Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, located at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater, Florida, is the largest and most active air station in the Coast Guard.

It serves not only the local area but also the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. The station, with nearly 700 aviation and support personnel, operates ten MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters and four HC-130H Hercules aircraft as of March 2021.

Established in 1934 at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, the station moved to its current location and adopted its present name in 1976.

Throughout its history, Air Station Clearwater has participated in significant operations, including World War II, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Desert Storm, and the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The station also supports Operations Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos (OPBAT) from facilities in The Bahamas at Great Inagua and Andros Island, aimed at countering narcotics trafficking and migrant smuggling. Additionally, it has been involved in Operations Frontier Shield, Gulf Shield, and Frontier Lance, which address illegal drug and migrant flows.

  • Location: St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater, Florida.
  • Motto: Anytime, Anywhere
  • Operational Range: The east and west coasts of Florida, the Bahamas, and beyond.
  • Establishment Date: 1934
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60T Jayhawk and HC-130H Hercules
  • Contact Information: (727) 535-1437

Coast Guard Air Station Miami

Coast Guard Air Station Miami is located at Opa-locka Executive Airport in Opa-locka, Florida. It plays a crucial role in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District and is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security.

The station’s area of responsibility includes parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.

The airfield has a rich history, originating as a Naval Reserve Aviation Training Base in the late 1920s. It was notably part of Amelia Earhart’s second attempt to fly around the world in 1937.

In 1965, the Coast Guard moved its operations to Opa-locka Airport from Dinner Key, establishing its current base.

Today, the station, commanded by Captain Eric A. Smith, remains fully operational, conducting maritime patrols and other missions.

The airfield sits at an elevation of 2.4 meters above sea level and features three runways with varying lengths:

  1. Runway 9L/27R measures 2,439 meters and is made of asphalt.
  2. Runway 12/30 is 2,073 meters long, also asphalt.
  3. Runway 9R/27L has a length of 1,313 meters and is asphalt as well.

Coast Guard Air Station Miami currently operates two main types of aircraft: the HC-144 Ocean Sentry for maritime patrol and the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter for various missions.

  • Location: Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport
  • Operational Range: Wide area that includes parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.
  • Establishment Date: 1964
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65 Dolphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry
  • Contact Information: +1 305-953-2100

Coast Guard Air Station Savannah

Coast Guard Air Station Savannah is located at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, and has been active since its commissioning in the summer of 1963. Originally established at what was then Hunter Air Force Base, the station moved to its current location in 1967.

The station was notable for setting up the Coast Guard’s first HH-52A Basic Operational Training Unit (BOTU) in 1964, which laid the groundwork for today’s specialized aviator training program in Mobile, Alabama.

As a critical hub for Search & Rescue (SAR) operations, it provides round-the-clock coverage for a 450-mile stretch of coastline from the northern border of South Carolina to Melbourne, Florida.

Annually, the station responds to over 250 SAR incidents. Additionally, it performs various other missions, including Marine Safety, Environmental Protection, Fisheries Enforcement, and Defense Readiness.

The station operates MH-65 Dolphin aircraft and is currently commanded by Commander Michael D. Brimblecom.

  • Location: Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia
  • Operational Range: From the northern border of South Carolina to Melbourne, Florida.
  • Establishment Date: 1963
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65 Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 912-652-4646

Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen

Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen is located at Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The station employs 170 enlisted personnel, 35 officers, and 150 civilians.

Originally part of Coast Guard Air Station San Juan, it moved to Aguadilla in November 1971. In July 1976, following the departure of the U.S. Navy from the area, it was renamed Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen.

Historically, the station operated a variety of aircraft, starting with three HU-16E Albatross seaplanes and two HH-52A Sea Guard helicopters. Currently, it operates four MH-65D Dolphin helicopters, primarily for search and rescue missions.

The station is equipped with comprehensive facilities, including housing, an aircraft hangar, a recruiting office, health and dental clinics, a Child Development Center, and a Community Center, providing numerous recreational options.

  • Location: Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
  • Establishment Date: 1976
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65D Dolphin, MH-60 Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: +1 787-890-8400

Eighth District

Coast Guard Air Station Houston

Coast Guard Air Station Houston is located 15 miles southeast of downtown Houston, Texas, at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base. It has provided 24/7 all-weather search and rescue (SAR) coverage since its establishment on December 23, 1963.

The station was originally commissioned with two HH-52A Sea Guard helicopters, seven officer/pilots, and 18 enlisted mechanics/aircrewmen. It celebrated the 100th anniversary of Coast Guard Aviation in 2016.

Currently, the station operates three MH-65E “Dolphin” helicopters and covers an area from the Colorado River at Matagorda Bay, Texas, to White Lake, Louisiana.

The station’s area of responsibility is crucial as it includes three of the four U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities and the South Texas Nuclear Generating Station. It also oversees the vast petroleum and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico and safeguards major ports like Freeport, TX, and the Houston Ship Channel, which is the second busiest U.S. port in terms of total cargo volume.

In June 2020, Air Station Houston became the first operational unit to transition from the MH-65D to the MH-65E aircraft.

  • Location: 15 miles southeast of downtown Houston, Texas.
  • Operational Range: Covers areas from the Colorado River at Matagorda Bay, Texas, to White Lake, Louisiana.
  • Establishment Date: 1963
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65E
  • Contact Information: +1 713-578-3000

Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi

Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi is located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and shares facilities with Corpus Christi International Airport and Sector Corpus Christi offices.

Originally established as a Coast Guard Air Detachment on November 20, 1950, it was formally designated as USCG Air Station Corpus Christi in 1965. The station became fully operational on October 15, 1980, and is one of thirteen Coast Guard Group units operating between Port O’Connor, Texas, and the Mexican border.

Over the years, the station’s aircraft fleet has included HU-16E Albatross and HH-52A Seaguard helicopters. Today, the fleet consists of MH-65 Dolphin and HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft.

Significant updates have occurred, such as the replacement of the HH-52 helicopters with Aérospatiale HH-65 Dolphin helicopters in 1986.

In 2005, the station unified command of all units from Port Lavaca to Brownsville, enhancing operational efficiency.

  • Location: Corpus Christi International Airport in Corpus Christi, Texas.
  • Operational Range: Port O’Connor, Texas, to the Mexican border.
  • Establishment Date: 1950
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65 Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 361-939-0200

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans

Located at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans was established in 1955 and has been operational since. The station is owned by the Department of Homeland Security and operated by the United States Coast Guard, within the Eighth District under the command of Commander William Blair.

The station provides search and rescue (SAR) coverage along 655 nautical miles of shoreline from Apalachicola, Florida, to the eastern border of Texas, and up the Mississippi River to Memphis, Tennessee, covering 735 nautical miles.

  • Location: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.
  • Operational Range: Apalachicola, Florida, to the eastern border of Texas and the Mississippi River up to Memphis, Tennessee.
  • Establishment Date: 1955
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60 Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: +1 504-393-6032

Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile

Located in Mobile, Alabama, the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center shares its airfield with Mobile Regional Airport and the Alabama Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 131st Aviation Regiment’s “B” Company.

Commissioned in 1966, the center was established to meet the increasing need for specialized aviation training within the Coast Guard. It initially occupied a 232-acre site at the north end of Mobile Regional Airport.

The center functions as the primary aviation and capabilities development hub for the Coast Guard, training pilots in various aircraft such as the MH-60 Jayhawk, MH-65 Dolphin, and HC-144 Ocean Sentry.

It also serves as a training facility for officer cadets from the United States Coast Guard Academy pursuing aviation careers and houses the Coast Guard National Strike Force’s Gulf Strike Team.

  • Location: Mobile, Alabama.
  • Operational Range: Louisiana/Texas border to the eastern edge of the Florida panhandle.
  • Establishment Date: 1966
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60T Jayhawk, MH-65D Dolphin, HC-130H Hercules, HC-130J Hercules, and HC-144 Ocean Sentry.
  • Contact Information: +1 251-441-6401

Ninth District

Coast Guard Air Station Detroit

Located in Detroit, Michigan, Coast Guard Air Station Detroit was established in 1966 and shares its location with the Selfridge Air National Guard base. The station supports 30 Coast Guard shore units and five cutters and collaborates with various federal, state, local, and Canadian government agencies.

The station’s missions include domestic icebreaking, marine environmental protection, and search and rescue operations. Detroit aircrews perform over 200 rescues annually, highlighting the station’s critical role in maritime safety.

Currently, the air station operates five MH-65D Dolphin helicopters and has a staff of 104 active personnel. The Commanding Officer is CDR Mark L. Lay.

  • Location: Detroit, Michigan.
  • Operational Range: Muskegon, Michigan, and Waukegan, Illinois.
  • Establishment Date: 1966
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65D Dolphin
  • Contact Information: (833) 388-8724

Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City

Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, established in 1946, is located at Cherry Capital Airport at the southern end of Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. It started as a one-plane detachment in 1945, primarily offering search and rescue services.

The station has expanded significantly, now employing 20 officers and 100 enlisted personnel, with over 50,000 square feet of workspace available since a major expansion in 1980.

It falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard’s Ninth District. Notably, the station conducted the rescue of the Francisco Morazán crew in 1961 and saved 19 survivors from the Canadian freighter Cartier Cliffe Hall in 1979.

The station actively engages with the community, offering public tours during the Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival Airshow and allowing residents to interact with crews during training missions at other airports.

  • Location: Cherry Capital Airport, on the southern end of Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan.
  • Operational Range: Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and most of Lake Huron.
  • Establishment Date: 1946
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60T Jayhawks
  • Contact Information: +1 231-922-8200

Coast Guard Air Facility Muskegon

Coast Guard Station (Small) Muskegon, located near the entrance to the Muskegon Channel, operates as a subordinate unit to Station Grand Haven, MI. The station was first established in 1890 and moved to the south side of the channel in 1905 due to channel improvements.

It served continuously until 1990, when it transitioned into a seasonal Search and Rescue Detachment (SARDET) under Station Grand Haven. The station operates primarily during the boating season and is staffed with active-duty members from Station Grand Haven. It is equipped with a 29′ Response Boat-Small, ready for various missions.

In the early 2000s, the station experienced significant changes, including a merger with the Aids to Navigation (ANT) unit and underwent a year-long rehabilitation in 2003.

Today, it is one of only six Coast Guard stations that combine aids to navigation with Search and Rescue capabilities. It is staffed by 22 active-duty and five reserve personnel.

  • Location: Muskegon Channel, Michigan
  • Operational Range: Three inland lakes and a 23-mile stretch of Lake Michigan’s coastline extending to mid-Lake Michigan.
  • Establishment Date: Not Confirmed
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: None
  • Contact Information: +1 231-798-4614

Coast Guard Air Station Waukegan

Located at Waukegan Regional Airport in Illinois, Coast Guard Air Facility Waukegan operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. This schedule aims to enhance search and rescue capabilities and improve response times in the Lake Michigan area during the peak summer boating season.

The facility is staffed by crews from Traverse City, highlighting the cooperative nature of Coast Guard operations across regions.

By focusing on seasonal operations, Air Facility Waukegan plays a crucial role in ensuring safety on Lake Michigan during its busiest months.

  • Location: Waukegan Regional Airport in Illinois.
  • Operational Range: Lake Michigan
  • Establishment Date: Not Confirmed
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65D Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 847-599-2487

Eleventh District

Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay

Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay is located at Arcata-Eureka Airport in McKinleyville, California, 16 miles north of Eureka. The Coast Guard has been active in the Humboldt Bay area since 1856, with the modern air station officially commissioned on June 24, 1977.

Originally named Air Station Arcata, it was renamed to Humboldt Bay in May 1982 when a $3.5 million facility was built to centralize command over all regional Coast Guard assets.

The air station is the primary command center for Coast Guard operations across Humboldt, Mendocino, and Del Norte Counties, playing a vital role in ensuring maritime safety along 250 miles of rugged northern California coastline.

  • Location: Arcata-Eureka Airport in McKinleyville, California
  • Operational Range: The station covers a 250-mile stretch of rugged coastline, extending from the Mendocino-Sonoma County line in the south all the way to the California-Oregon border in the north.
  • Establishment Date: 1977
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65D Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 707-443-2212

Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento

Located at Sacramento McClellan Airfield in Sacramento County, California, Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento is the only military tenant at the former McClellan Air Force Base. Established in 1978, the air station continuously conducts medium-range patrol and search-and-rescue missions.

As an integral part of the Eleventh Coast Guard District and Pacific Area Team, the station specializes in various missions. Its area of responsibility covers nearly 1,300 miles of coastline, stretching from the Olympic Peninsula and Strait of Juan de Fuca in the north to San Diego and the Tijuana River in the south.

  • Location: Sacramento McClellan Airfield in Sacramento County, California.
  • Operational Range: 1,300 miles of coastline, extending from the Olympic Peninsula and Strait of Juan de Fuca in the north to San Diego and the Tijuana River in the south.
  • Establishment Date: 1978
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: Alenia C-27J Spartan
  • Contact Information: +1 916-643-7600

Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco

Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco is located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco at the San Francisco International Airport in San Mateo County. It was established on February 15, 1941, and played a crucial role in World War II, particularly in constructing the classified Long Range Navigation (LORAN) stations in the North Pacific.

After the war, it came under Coast Guard control on June 30, 1946, transitioning from fixed-wing planes to helicopters. The station currently operates six Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin helicopters.

The facility is equipped with its own ramp, hangar, administration building, and several support structures. It provides continuous coverage along approximately 300 miles of coastline, from Point Conception to Fort Bragg.

  • Location: San Francisco International Airport in San Mateo County., California.
  • Operational Range: 300 miles of coastline, stretching from Point Conception to Fort Bragg.
  • Establishment Date: 1941
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65 Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 650-808-2902

Coast Guard Air Station Ventura

As of October 2023, Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, located at Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu, California, is fully operational. The facility was officially opened in August 2023 after a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2021.

Constructed with a $53 million investment, the air station is a significant enhancement of the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities. Vice Adm. Michael F. McAllister highlighted this development as pivotal in “enhancing critical mission capabilities.”

Previously, Coast Guard operations were based out of a Forward Operating Base at Point Mugu, with support from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco.

The new station includes a 48,000 square-foot hangar and a 12,200 square-foot administration and berthing facility. It employs 82 personnel and operates a fleet of four MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, ensuring more effective operations in its designated area.

  • Location: San Francisco International Airport in San Mateo County., California.
  • Operational Range: 350 nautical miles from Dana Point to Morro Bay, including the Channel Islands.
  • Establishment Date: August 2023
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65 Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 805-985-9823

Coast Guard Air Station San Diego (CGAS San Diego)

Located in San Diego, California, directly across from San Diego International Airport, Coast Guard Air Station San Diego was established in April 1937. It was the only Coast Guard air base in California at the time and played a significant role during World War II.

The station underwent extensive modernization, with a major reconstruction plan initiated in June 1972 and completed by January 26, 1983.

Currently, the air station operates three MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters and is located next to Sector San Diego. Additionally, it maintains a versatile fleet of boats, including two 41-foot Utility Boats, two 21-foot rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and two 87-foot USCG Coastal Patrol Boats.

  • Location: San Diego, California.
  • Operational Range: Southern California coastline and beyond.
  • Establishment Date: 1937
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60T Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: +1 619-278-7000

Thirteenth District

Coast Guard Air Station Astoria

Established on August 14, 1964, Coast Guard Air Station Astoria is located at the Astoria Regional Airport in Warrenton, Oregon, and serves as a key hub for maritime and aerial operations.

The station is manned by 67 active-duty personnel, 24 reservists, and one civilian. It operates three Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, which have succeeded previous models including the Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard, HH-3F Pelican, and Dassault HU-25A Falcon.

Additionally, Air Station Astoria has appeared in popular culture, notably as a filming location for the 2006 movie “The Guardian.” The station is crucial in ensuring safety and security along the Pacific Northwest coastline.

  • Location: Astoria Regional Airport, Warrenton, Oregon.
  • Operational Range: Covers the Pacific Northwest, extending along the coasts of Oregon and Washington.
  • Establishment Date: 1964
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60T Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: +1 503-861-6211

Coast Guard Air Station North Bend

Established on September 28, 1974, Coast Guard Air Station North Bend is located at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend, Oregon. The station performs vital functions including Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Marine Environmental Protection, Aids to Navigation, and Enforcement of Federal Treaties.

The station is manned by 153 active-duty personnel, nine reservists, and five civilian staff. It operates a fleet of five Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin helicopters and received its first upgraded HH-65C model in 2007.

  • Location: Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend, Oregon.
  • Operational Range: 220 miles of the Oregon coast, stretching from Pacific City, Ore., to the California border.
  • Establishment Date: 1974
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65C Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 541-756-9220

Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles

Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, established on June 1, 1935, is the oldest operational air station in the U.S. Coast Guard. It is located at the end of the Ediz Hook peninsula in Port Angeles, Washington, and has been in continuous operation since its commissioning.

The Coast Guard has had a presence in Port Angeles since August 1, 1862. During World War II, the station expanded to include a gunnery school and local defense force training, and by the end of 1944, it operated a fleet of 29 aircraft.

Today, the station operates MH-65E helicopters and conducts over 400 search and rescue missions annually, saving around 35 lives and assisting approximately 500 others each year.

  • Location: Ediz Hook peninsula in Port Angeles, Washington.
  • Operational Range: Area that includes the Strait of Juan De Fuca, the northwestern coast of Washington, and extends to the mouth of Puget Sound.
  • Establishment Date: 1935
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65E Dolphin
  • Contact Information: +1 360-417-5840

Fourteenth District

Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point

Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, located 13½ miles west of Honolulu at Kalaeloa Airport on the island of Oahu, was initially established in the Hawaiian Archipelago in 1945. The station moved to Naval Air Station Barbers Point in 1949 and received its official designation in 1965.

Since 1979, the station has earned two Coast Guard Unit Commendations and four Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations for its outstanding maritime safety and security services.

The station staffs 250 officers and enlisted personnel and operates under the jurisdiction of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District.

  • Location: 13½ miles west of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, at Kalaeloa Airport.
  • Operational Range: Covers the Hawaiian Archipelago and extends into the broader Pacific region.
  • Establishment Date: 1965
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-65E Dolphin and HC-130J
  • Contact Information: +1 808-682-2771

Seventeenth District

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak

Located in Kodiak, Alaska, Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak is a tenant command of Base Support Unit Kodiak and shares its airfield with Kodiak Airport. It is the largest Coast Guard Air Station in the Pacific Area, covering 23,000 acres and staffed by 85 officers and 517 enlisted personnel.

The station’s origins date back to June 1941, when it was established as a naval air station by the U.S. Navy and played a key role during World War II, especially in the Aleutian Islands Campaign.

In 1972, the station was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard and initially commissioned as an Air Detachment with one PBY Catalina, operated by seven pilots and 30 enlisted personnel.

Today, the station’s duties include offshore fisheries patrols and providing logistical support to various Coast Guard units in the region.

  • Location: Kodiak, Alaska.
  • Operational Range: Gulf of Alaska, Bristol Bay, the Bering Sea, and Alaska’s Pacific coast.
  • Establishment Date: 1947
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60 Jayhawk, MH-65 Dolphin and HC-130 Hercules.
  • Contact Information: +1 907-463-2065

Coast Guard Air Station Sitka

Located in Sitka, Alaska, Coast Guard Air Station Sitka is commanded by Commander Vincent J. Jansen. The station was originally established on Annette Island in March 1944 and moved to Sitka in 1977.

Currently, the station employs 130 officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians, and operates three MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters. It collaborates with various federal, state, and local agencies to carry out a range of missions, including law enforcement.

  • Location: Sitka, Alaska.
  • Operational Range: Extending from Dixon Entrance to Icy Bay and from the Alaskan-Canadian border to the central Gulf of Alaska.
  • Establishment Date: 1977
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60T Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: +1 907-966-5447

Air Support Facility Cordova

Located in Cordova, Alaska, this facility operates seasonally, timed with the summer fisheries season to improve response times to maritime emergencies in the Gulf of Alaska. The increase in maritime activity during these months necessitates enhanced support.

Alongside Cordova, Air Station Kodiak sets up other seasonal facilities in Alaska, including in Kotzebue and Cold Bay, to further decrease response times for mariners in distress.

  • Location: Cordova, Alaska.
  • Operational Range: Gulf of Alaska.
  • Establishment Date: 1980
  • Types of Aircraft Stationed: MH-60 Jayhawk
  • Contact Information: +1 (907) 424-3382

Lastly, this is the most comprehensive guide to all Coast Guard Air Stations available. I will continue to update this list with the latest information. If you have any questions about any of the air stations, please feel free to comment below. I’m always happy to discuss and provide further details.

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