U.S. Coast Guard

The “other” military service….the U.S. Coast Guard has some of the most important missions assigned to any branch of the U.S. military.

Every single day the men and women of the USCG risk their lives to make sure that all of ours are safe. From rescuing victims of boating accidents to interdicting drug smugglers to keeping a watchful eye on hurricanes when they threaten the United States, the Coast Guard is in my opinion not as well known or respected as they should be.

Many people don’t even realize the Coast Guard is actually a branch of the military.

This thread is a small tribute to the men, women, and machines of the Coast Guard. Without them there’d be many more fatalities on the high seas around the United States than there are.

Many people owe them their lives.

Here are some photos I found of the various aircraft operated by the Coast Guard for all the many missions they perform.

HC-130 Hercules

HU-25 Interceptor

HH-65 Dolphin (yes I know in Europe it’s called the Dauphin)

HH-60 Jayhawk

MH-68 Stingray (I believe that’s the correct name…I’ve seen others though….anyway it’s the Coast Guard’s newest toy I believe…used to interdict drug smugglers in a way that tends to get their attention a bit more than previous methods….nothing like a good old sniper rifle from a helo to stop someone in their tracks)

MH-90 Enforcer (I believe this helo either lost out to the MH-68 or was simply a proof of concept aircraft for the role the Stingray would eventually fulfill)

Quite a neat array of aircraft and helos. If I’m missing any please inform me.

P.S.: Has the Pelican completely left the inventory?

And what has come of the HH-65D upgrade?