USCG Air Detachment San Juan. P.R.

• Establishment: USCG Air Detachment San Juan was established in 1971 to provide enhanced search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, and logistical support for the Caribbean region. • Strategic Location: Located at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the detachment's position in Puerto Rico enables rapid response throughout the Caribbean, supporting both U.S. and allied interests. • Drug Interdiction: The unit has played a pivotal role in Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) and other anti-drug operations, intercepting numerous drug smuggling attempts bound for the United States. • Hurricane Relief: USCG Air Detachment San Juan has been integral in disaster response, especially following hurricanes such as Hugo (1989), Georges (1998), and Maria (2017), providing lifesaving evacuations and supply deliveries. • Aircraft Evolution: Over the years, the unit has operated various aircraft, including the HH-52A Seaguard, HH-65 Dolphin, and currently the MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, reflecting technological advancements in Coast Guard aviation. • Search and Rescue Excellence: The detachment averages over 300 SAR missions annually, rescuing mariners, aviators, and civilians from perilous situations at sea and in remote island locations. • Historic Missions: In 1980, aircrews from San Juan were instrumental in responding to the Mariel boatlift, rescuing Cuban refugees attempting the dangerous crossing to Florida. • Multi-National Cooperation: The unit regularly trains and operates with Caribbean and Latin American partners, enhancing regional maritime security and disaster preparedness. • Critical Medical Evacuations: Air Detachment San Juan routinely conducts urgent medevacs from cruise ships, remote islands, and commercial vessels, providing rapid access to medical care for the critically ill or injured. • Transition to Air Station Borinquen: In 1973, the detachment expanded and relocated to become USCG Air Station Borinquen at Aguadilla, but the San Juan detachment’s legacy remains a proud part of Coast Guard history in the Caribbean.