HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - Members of the U.S. Coast Guard-- the oldest, continuous sea-going service in the United States -- spend long hours, including weekends, rescuing citizens who get into trouble on the water.
But Friday, Aug. 3, members of Air Station Savannah at Hunter Army Airfield paused for the day for some fun in the sun with their Families and peers, cooking out and playing games to celebrate the Coast Guard's 222nd birthday. They were joined by members of two other Coast Guard units located in Savannah -- Coast Guard Station Tybee and the Savannah Marine Safety Office.
Lieutenant Josh O'Brien, a pilot at Air Station Savannah, attended the celebration with his wife, Mel. He has worked for the Coast Guard for eight years and previously, for the Army 13 years. He said the men and women at Hunter Army Airfield Air Station Savannah are proud of their long, rich heritage and they enjoy celebrating it together.
"I joined the Coast Guard because I had a strong desire to help people," said Lt. O'Brien. "I figured that conducting search and rescue missions would be the best way to do that. The Coast Guard is a unique service; we serve the military as well as law enforcement."
Aviation Maintenance Technician 2 Bradley Miller, an aviation maintenance technician at Air Station Savannah, said he will also celebrate the birthday of the organization in which he is proud to serve.
"Serving in the Coast Guard is a Family tradition for me," AMT2 Miller said. "My father and brothers have served with the coast guard. It's a great job; I get to fly and save lives, and I get paid for it. "
To perform that mission, Air Station Savannah maintains two ready helicopters in Savannah, Ga. and Charleston, S.C. to provide 24/7 search and rescue support 365 days a year along the eastern seaboard from Melbourne, Florida north to the North Carolina and South Carolina border. In addition to responding to more than 250 missions this past year, Air Station Savannah was responsible for saving more than 150 lives.
The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah is located on the northern end of Hunter and is under the command of Cmdr. Gregory Fuller. Surrounded on the tarmac by the Army's dark grey helicopters, the five bright orange MH-65C Dolphin helicopters that belong to the U.S. Coast are easy to identify.
Additional missions of Air Station Savannah include their support of the President, the National Capital Region and the Space Shuttle. In 2010, the Savannah unit provided aerial security for the three NASA shuttle launches, according to Cmdr. Dave Cooper, operations officer at Air Station Savannah.
Eight hours prior to the launch, six crew members begin patrolling the high profile events performing rotary wing interceptor patrols in the secured area around the launches with "LE configured" MH-65C Dolphin helicopters, said Cmdr. Cooper.
The helicopters are not armed, according to Lt. Daniel Lavinder, the external affairs officer with Air Station Savannah. "They have a LED sign board that flashes a message, such as 'follow me.' The intent is for the helicopter to fly up beside the aircraft that is in the restricted airspace so the suspect pilot can look over and read the sign in the window of the helicopter. The pilot then flies to the nearest airport to land."
Since 9/11, and the Coast Guard's assignment to the Department of Homeland Security, their maritime security missions have increased at major ports in big cities. "We're small and agile," Cooper said. "We're always the eyes."
Besides the 100 "coasties" who work at Air Station Savannah, a team of Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers also serve as "eyes" for Air Station Savannah at Hunter. The group provides boater safety information to the general public and helps with other vital functions.
Commander Cooper said that the volunteers are also proud of their service with the unit and of the rich history from which the Coast Guard evolved.
The U.S. Coast Guard originally began in 1790 on Aug. 4 when it was established as the Revenue Cutter Service by the U.S. Treasury Department. On that date, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, authorized a fleet of ten cutters built to enforce the first tariff laws enacted by Congress under the Constitution.
The name U.S. Coast Guard's didn't come about until 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the Lifesaving Service. The Lighthouse Service joined the Coast Guard in 1939, followed in 1946 by the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection. In 1967, after 177 years in the Treasury Department, the Coast Guard was transferred to the newly formed Department of Transportation. Soon after the tragic events of 9/11, the Coast Guard became part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Commander Fuller said that performing missions and saving lives is what he has enjoyed most during his 23 years of service with the U.S. Coast Guard. He said the Coast Guard's birthday is a time of reflection for those who serve at Air Station Savannah.
"We think about how the Coast Guard began and we take some time to reflect on our Corps values.
"I love running the mission and saving lives," said Cmdr. Fuller, adding that his high-caliber staff only makes his job better. "This is a great organization. I work with the sharpest; most motivated and dedicated men and women I could possibly work with."
Social Sharing