Helicopters

Updated 9/1/97

The US Coast Guard has been involved with aircraft since the first manned flight by the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, NC in 1903. On that day, men from the local Life Saving Station assisted in getting the Wright Flyer into the air. Since that day, the USCG has moved from cloth and wood to ultra modern jets for assiting with SAR and law enforcement.

HH-3F "Pelican"

The HH-3F "Pelican" is a twin engined aircraft that was introduced in the 1960's and is being phased out by the newer HH-60-J. Like the H-52, the HH-3F could land on water if necessay but does most of it's recovery work via it's hoist. The HH-3F can work farther off shore than the older H-52.

HH-65 "Dolphin"

The HH-65 "Dolphin" was introduced in the 1980's as a replacement for the older H-52 for inshore work. It can fly from either shore stations or from some of the larger cutters. The "Dolphin" cannot land on water like the H-52 or the HH3F could.

HH-60 J "Jayhawk"

The HH-60 J "Jayhawk" was introduced in the late 1980's and was designed after the Army's "Blackhawk" assult helo. Like the "Dolphin", the "Jayhawk" cannot land on water to recover victims. The Jayhawk can fly farther offshore than the pevous helos of the Coast Guard.