Coast Guard Assumes National Capitol Region Air Intercept Mission

[ollie]

Press Release

Date: Sept. 25, 2006

Contact: Steve Blando
202 372-4632

COAST GUARD ASSUMES NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION AIR INTERCEPT MISSION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard officially assumed responsibility for air intercept operations in the nation's capital from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in a ceremony this morning at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

"At today's ceremony we recognized Customs and Border Protection's outstanding work performing this mission over the past several years," said Rear Adm. David Pekoske, the Coast Guard's assistant commandant for response. "I appreciate the strong partnership between the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection that ensured this transition was a very smooth one. The Coast Guard is fully ready to support NORAD in providing air defense in the National Capitol Region."

The Coast Guard will support the North American Aerospace Defense Command's mission with its rotary wing air intercept capability. Coast Guard HH-65C helicopters and crews will be responsible for intercepting unauthorized aircraft which fly into an air defense identification zone surrounding Washington.

Coast Guard aviators have conducted rotary wing air intercept operations at the 2006 Super Bowl, the 2004 Republican and Democratic national conventions, the G-8 Summit, in support of space shuttle launches, and for other special events where airspace security is crucial.

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
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I'm a Coastie and usually I'm a puff out the chest kind that is proud of anything we are assigned or do, but this is one of the stupidist things I've ever heard of. We are not only short of assets now as this is being written, but the HH 65 is one of the worst platforms ever to perform interdiction. Which means that they will use the HH 65C the upgraded version (more powerful engines) that they were supposed to use for SAR.

Next question, are they going to be armed? Most helicopters except for the HITRON squadrons that go after drug laden go-fasts are not armed. Are we to ram them out of the sky? God, why can't we learn to just say no!!!!

This definitely a role for the Air Force.

ollie