Date: Nov. 6, 2008

Contact: Lt j.g. Chris Yane
(231) 922-8273

View the Coast Guard's newest aircraft  

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Media are invited to attend a viewing of the Coast Guard's newest aviation asset, the HC-144A "Ocean Sentry" medium range surveillance aircraft, at Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City Friday at 8:30 a.m.

The aircraft is permanently stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Mobile in Alabama and is visiting Traverse City for operational testing in colder climates.  Interviews will be available with the crew members.

The HC-144A, part of the Coast Guard's Deepwater Major Acquisition Program, will replace the Service's aging fleet of HU-25 Falcon jets. The HC-144A is a derivative of the EADS/CASA CN-235-300 and significantly enhances the mission execution capability of Coast Guard air crews. This fixed-wing turbo prop aircraft will perform various missions, including maritime patrol, law enforcement, search and rescue, disaster response and cargo and personnel transport. Additionally, the "Ocean Sentry" provides the added operational capability of a hydraulic-operated rear ramp, with superb fuel efficiency--consuming less fuel than the HU-25 or HC-130.

When equipped with its roll-on, roll-off Mission System Pallet (MSP) suite of electronic equipment, the aircraft crew is able to compile data from the aircraft's multiple integrated sensors and transmit and receive mission-essential information to and from other assets, including surface vessels, other aircraft, local law enforcement, and shore facilities. The aircraft systems are TEMPEST certified, meaning they meet current federal requirements to guard against the potential emanation of intelligence-compromising electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from computer and telecommunications equipment.

Previously delivered HC-144A aircraft already have proven their capabilities in the field. During a routine training flight Feb. 20, 2008, an HC-144A was diverted to assist with a search and rescue mission following the collision of two Air Force F-15 aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico. The HC-144A quickly became the on-scene rescue coordinator and successfully led a multi-agency rescue mission, which included assets from the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense and civilian partners.

The HC-144A also provided invaluable reconnaissance capabilities during the Midwestern floods on June 19, 2008, when it assisted Coast Guard and local government officials in determining where response and recovery resources should be utilized in the ongoing flood relief efforts. In both cases, the HC-144A's range, loitering capability, endurance and passenger capacity met the requirements of the mission, demonstrating that the HC-144A is well-matched to the multi-mission Coast Guard it will serve.

For more information, check out the HC-144A "Ocean Sentry" Website.

For official Coast Guard video of the HC-144, click on the link below:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=413867&g2_navId=x8fa858f5

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=413864&g2_navId=x8fa858f5

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