USCG Air Station Borinquen

• Strategic Caribbean Location: USCG Air Station Borinquen is located at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, providing a vital strategic presence in the Caribbean for search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security missions. • Originally a U.S. Air Force Base: The facility was previously known as Ramey Air Force Base, a major Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War, before being transferred to the Coast Guard in 1973. • Multi-Mission Capabilities: The air station conducts a wide range of missions, including counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, environmental protection, and disaster response throughout the region. • Helicopter Fleet: Air Station Borinquen currently operates MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, which are capable of long-range search and rescue and law enforcement operations over land and sea. • Humanitarian Assistance: The unit played a crucial role in hurricane response, notably during Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017, rescuing stranded citizens and delivering critical supplies across Puerto Rico and surrounding islands. • Drug Interdiction Success: Aircrews from Borinquen have assisted in the seizure of thousands of pounds of illegal drugs, working closely with U.S. and international partners to combat narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean. • Migrant Rescue Operations: The station frequently intercepts and rescues migrants attempting dangerous sea journeys, saving hundreds of lives annually in treacherous waters. • Community Engagement: USCG Air Station Borinquen is active in the local community, participating in public education, school visits, and community service projects throughout western Puerto Rico. • Legacy of Innovation: The air station was one of the first Coast Guard units to integrate night vision goggles into flight operations, greatly enhancing their night-time search and rescue effectiveness. • International Partnerships: The unit often collaborates with Caribbean and Latin American agencies, strengthening regional security and disaster response through multinational training and operations.