Fri, Apr 02, 2010
Eventually Five Of The Twin-Engine Multi-Mission Aircraft Will
Patrol The From Florida
Deployment of the U.S. Coast Guard’s HC-144A Ocean Sentry
has expanded to the world’s busiest air/sea rescue unit
– Air Station Miami, Florida – as the EADS-built
multi-mission aircraft continues to demonstrate its capabilities in
operational service. Air Station Miami received its first Ocean
Sentry in March, and ultimately will operate five of the
twin-engine HC-144As. The second Ocean Sentry is scheduled to
arrive later this month, and a third will be transferred in July.
Air Station Miami will have its full complement of HC-144As by
early 2011.
Miami’s first Ocean Sentry initially went operational at
Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama, in February
2009. Even before it formally entered service there, the HC-144A
had performed its first Coast Guard search and rescue operation,
playing a key role in locating a downed U.S. Air Force F-15 pilot
from the Gulf of Mexico following a January 2009 mishap.
HC-144As have since been used for a broad range of missions,
including recent operations to support earthquake relief efforts in
Haiti, earning the aircraft high marks from Coast Guard
officials.
The service dispatched a total of three HC-144As from its
Aviation Training Center after the January 12 quake. They operated
as mobile communications command centers, while also using their
modern sensor systems to collect intelligence on ground operations
and conduct critical infrastructure surveys. The versatile
aircraft’s cargo ramp also allows it to carry cargo and
supplies when needed.
The Coast Guard has called its Ocean Sentry a successful
acquisition program, and underscored the rapid fielding of this
medium-range maritime patrol aircraft – which progressed from
developmental testing to key assistance in humanitarian efforts in
less than two years. The HC-144A, provided by EADS’ Airbus
Military business unit, is the first all-new aircraft delivered to
the U.S. Coast Guard as part of a major recapitalization of aging
assets. The service has received eight of the 11 Ocean Sentries
currently on order, with plans to bring its total inventory to 36
HC-144As through additional buys.
U.S. customer support for these aircraft – including
ground training, technical services and spares – is provided
by Airbus Military North America, an EADS North America Company, at
its facility at Mobile Regional Airport in Alabama.
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