U.S. Coast Guard: Situation Report by CAPT Thomas C. King

Wings of Gold, Spring 2004 by King, Thomas C

Following is an update on aircraft in the U.S. Coast Guard inventory.

Phase II of HU-25 Avionics Upgrade Project was initiated in April with the first aircraft receiving the prototype Navigation Computer Unit, Flight Data Storage Unit, and Horizontal Situation Indicator. Upon successful test and evaluation, the remainder of the HU-25 fleet will receive this enhanced avionics package over an 18 month implementation period. The sensored HU-25 aircraft have been experiencing significant vibrations at higher airspeeds with the recent FLIR turret installation. As a result, the Coast Guard is prototyping a fairing modification to reestablish smooth airflow in vicinity of the FLIR turret. The HU-25 continues to experience a marked increase in operational effectiveness with the employment of its newly installed sensors. Several recent counter drug and alien migration interdictions have been attributed to the incredible capabilities of these intricate sensor systems.

Airborne Use of Force. The HH-60J Airborne Use of Force (AUF) Proof of Concept at Air Station Cape Cod is complete. A core group of pilots and flight mechanics were trained in day and night tactics and aerial gunnery. This training has helped the Coast Guard establish standard syllabi and AUF courses of instruction. Evaluation of the HH-60J AUF equipment is ongoing. This equipment includes: airframe-mounted area fire weapon, shoulder-mounted weapon, upgraded radios, upgraded FLIR, Head-Up Display, cabin floor armor, and pilot and copilot seat armor. Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Aviation Forces hopes to use the success- : ful Cape Cod model to expand AUF capability to all Air Stations nationwide. All Coast Guard HH-60J Air Stations are now capable of rapidly deploying specialized boarding teams to vessels by Vertical Insertion (fast roping). Each Air Station will work with local Coast Guard boarding teams to determine the application of this capability in their areas of responsibility. Coast Guard Aviation also continues to explore aircrew in-flight Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBR) gear requirements and capabilities. Prototype gear has been issued to five air stations, and standard courses of instruction and syllabi for this gear are established. We hope to provide aircraft internal and forward-looking CBR detection gear in the near future.

HC-130H. Air Station Kodiak HC-130H crews recently tested a low cost night vision cockpit lighting system which represents a viable opportunity to introduce night vision goggle (NVGs) capability to the entire HC-13OH fleet. Demonstrating uncommon initiative, Air Station Kodiak conducted significant groundwork to bring the project to fruition including research with the DoD and obtaining funding to move forward. This new and innovative system utilizes a removable lighting harness powered by existing outlets on the flight deck. Although new for the Coast Guard, similar projects have been successfully employed on similar DoD aircraft. In February and March of this year, Air Station Kodiak conducted operational testing of the lighting harness for which the unit was approved to conduct Level I operations with both pilots on NVGs simultaneously. By all indications, the tests went very well with a formal report recommending fleet wide implementation to follow. In the 2000-2001 timeframe, the Coast Guard tested a high-end NVG aircraft modification to prove the concept for Coast Guard operations. Although this earlier test was successful, the modification was 15 times the cost of the system currently being tested. If the current initiative proves successful, funding will be requested for fleet wide implementation in FY07. When fielded, this system will provide the Coast Guard HC-130H community with vastly improved flight safety and nighttime situational awareness for all of its missions, but notable improvements in mission effectiveness are expected in the areas of law enforcement and search and rescue.

C-130J. The Coast Guard C-130J Aircraft Project Office is busy supporting the acquisition and "missionization" of our newest aircraft. In a first for a new aircraft program office, the C-130J acquisition program is also pitching in a limited amount of operational support when the need is acute. In addition to the immense task of procuring and integrating the sensors, communications equipment and SAR gear that will turn the "slick" C-13OJ into a mission ready Coast Guard HC-13OJ, Elizabeth City crews are doing their part to support ongoing operations. In the past 45 days Coast Guard C-130Js have been detached to the Homeland security Task ForceSoutheast in support of Operation Able Sentry, in and around Haiti. Coast Guard C-130Js have flown into Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Port-au-Prince, Haiti providing logistics airlift and personnel transportation. On the home front, C130Js have been supporting Operational Commanders with CONUS airlift support of personnel and HITRON MH-68 helicopters. The ability of the C-130Js to take up a share of the logistics load means more Maritime Patrol hours for the sensor-equipped HC-130H fleet and tighter security for the nation.