DILLA

Hey Folks,

I am looking for information on Coast Guard aircraft bases, primarily fixed wing. I know they fly the HC-130H/J, HU-25, C-37A, and the C-143 (Challenger) but I have no idea where the latter two jets are based.

The USCG website only had some of the info. I could not find a source listing all the current Coast Guard aircraft and their bases.

Also, are Coast Guard jets available for people right out of flight school or do you transition over after spending time on another airframe like the C-130s or the helos?

Thanks for the help.

Clue32

Airwarriors.com has a lot of information on the coast guard. Search for the DCA program (Direct Commission Aviator) or Coast Guard in general. C-130s are in Kodiak AK, Oahu HI, Clearwater FL, Elizabeth City NC, and Sacramento CA, as I recall.

RickyBobby

There's a little info here:

http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/

RB

EPIRB

The business jets are based at CG Air Station Washington. They are used for VIP transportation. The operational fixed wing fleet includes C-130s and H-25s (Falcon). The HU-25 is scheduled to be replaced by HC-144s (CASA CN-235).

Coast Guard aviators are Coast Guard officers first. The Coast Guard officer personnel management system is similar to the other services. The system includes an up or out promotion system and centrally managed assignment process. Typical tours are four years. Assignment to Headquarters in Washington DC, at some point in a 20 year career, is likely. A Coast Guard recruiter would be happy to explain the application process. Coast Guard officers apply for flight training, usually in their first tour after being commissioned. Coast Guard pilots receive their initial training in Navy flight school (same as USMC and USN). C-130 training is done by the USAF, aircraft specific training for the other aircraft is completed at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile AL.

Aviators can request the type of aircraft they will be assigned to and which air station they will be assigned to during initial flight training. Assignments are made according to the needs of the service. Assignment of a first tour aviator to Air Station Washington is unlikely.

The real action in Coast Guard aviation is in helicopters. All aircraft perform a variety of missions. Helicopters do the most interesting missions including armed law enforcement and rescue. There are few experiences that can compare to working together with a highly trained and motivated crew to hoist a survivor from the deck of a sinking vessel in heavy seas at night.

Good luck

DILLA

Thanks for all the info guys, I never really thought about helos before....but the more I have heard and read, it definitely sounds really exciting! I'm sure it would be a great experience flying for the USCG regardless of airframe.

DILLA

Thanks...I looked here before, but it didn't cover all the the CG airplanes. I assumed that these were the airframes available to newbies fresh out of training.

CoastieFlier

Although our fleet is mostly helos, we are hurting bad right now for fixed wing pilots. Even to the point where we have a lot of DCA transition requests from pilots of other services (ranging from P3 pilots to F18 guys).

If you want to be a Coast Guard fixed wing pilot, there isn't any better of a time than now to give it a shot. I will concur with the previous post that it's not all flying. Lots of collaterals and paperwork but you can still easily get 400+ hours per year if you desire to.

The odds of getting Air Station Washington and flying the G5 or Challenger are pretty slim and normally reserved for our more experienced pilots. Right now the majority of fixed wingers are flying Falcons and Hercs and that's what you are getting out of flight school. Over the next 5+ years or so you will see the Falcon start to be replaced by the CASA.

There's an office saying that you should "fly helo's if you want to rescue people and get lots of medals, fly fixed wing if you want to rack up fixed wing time and eat a lot of box lunches" and there's a lot of truth to it.

Good luck whichever path you choose!

DILLA

Cool...thanks for the info. I am putting my OCS application package together now!

DILLA

A couple more questions...let's say I get stationed at EC flying the 130 or a helo....if I REALLY like it there, can I petition to spend my second 4-year tour there? Is it mandatory that you have to change bases after each tour.

Also, can a CG pilot transition from fixed to rotary or vice-versa during their career?

CoastieFlier

Normally you will not get back to back tours to remain at any unit. 1 year extensions are very common but done on a case by case basis. After 5 years at a unit the detailer (person in charge of assignments) is looking to get you to a different unit. It's generally not good for your career to spend too much time at one unit. Odds are out of flight school you will spend at LEAST two tours in your aircraft before you would even be considered for a staff tour or transition. (8 years, about 2500+ hours)

One advantage of the CG is that we are a much smaller community and everyone generally knows each other (especially in your particular airframe) so assignments tend to probably be a little more flexible give your particular situation or hardship.

I would never count on any airframe transitions. Try to fly the aircraft you want to fly for the rest of your career. Rotary to fixed wing is VERY competitive and very few get the opportunity. I don't know of any fixed wing fliers that have desired to go rotary.

When I get enough posts, feel free to PM me and I can get you more info offline.