USCG Air Station San Diego

• Establishment: USCG Air Station San Diego was commissioned in 1937, making it one of the oldest air stations on the West Coast. • Strategic Location: The air station is located at the San Diego International Airport, allowing for rapid deployment over the Pacific Ocean and the busy maritime border with Mexico. • World War II Service: During WWII, air crews from the station conducted anti-submarine patrols along the California coastline, helping to safeguard vital shipping lanes. • Notable Aircraft: Over the decades, the station has operated a variety of aircraft, including the amphibious PBY Catalina, the Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard, and today’s MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters. • Search and Rescue (SAR): USCG Air Station San Diego averages over 200 rescue missions per year, saving hundreds of lives from peril at sea and along the rugged Southern California coast. • Drug Interdiction: The station plays a key role in counter-narcotics operations, intercepting drug-smuggling vessels moving north from Mexico and Central America. • Notable Rescue: In 2009, aircrews responded to the crash of a Coast Guard C-130 and a Marine Corps helicopter off San Clemente Island, conducting search and recovery efforts under difficult conditions. • Joint Operations: The air station frequently works alongside U.S. Navy, Border Patrol, and other federal, state, and local agencies, especially during large-scale search, rescue, and law enforcement operations. • Community Engagement: USCG Air Station San Diego participates in local air shows and public events, offering tours and demonstrations to foster community relations. • Modernization: The station has undergone several major upgrades to its hangars and facilities, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of Coast Guard aviation technology and mission readiness.