1996 --- Coast Guard tasks under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Purpose:

(1) to take immediate action to conserve and manage the fishery resources found off the coasts of the United States, and the anadromous species and Continental Shelf fishery resources of the United States.
(2) to support and encourage the implementation and enforcement of international fishery agreements for the conservation and management of highly migratory species, and to encourage the negotiation and implementation of additional such agreements as necessary;
(3) to promote domestic commercial and recreational fishing under sound conservation and management principles, including the promotion of catch and release programs in recreational fishing;
(4) to provide for the preparation and implementation, in accordance with national standards, of fishery management plans which will achieve and maintain, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery;
(5) to establish Regional Fishery Management Councils to exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources through the preparation, monitoring, and revision of such plans under circumstances.
(6) to encourage the development by the United States fishing industry of fisheries which are currently underutilized or not utilized by United States fishermen, including bottom fish off Alaska, and to that end, to ensure that optimum yield determinations promote such development in a non-wasteful manner; and
(7) to promote the protection of essential fish habitat in the review of projects conducted under Federal permits, licenses, or other authorities that affect or have the potential to affect such habitat.

Responsibility:

The provisions of this Act shall be enforced by the Secretary and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. Such Secretaries may, by agreement, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, utilize the personnel, services, equipment (including aircraft and vessels), and facilities of any other Federal agency, including all elements of the Department of Defense, and of any State agency, in the performance of such duties.

Subject to the direction of the Secretary, a person charged with law enforcement responsibilities by the Secretary who is performing a duty related to enforcement of a law regarding fisheries or other marine resources may make an arrest without a warrant for an offense against the United States committed in his presence, or for a felony cognizable under the laws of the United States, if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing a felony. The arrest authority described in the preceding sentence may be conferred upon an officer or employee of a State agency, subject to such conditions and restrictions as are set forth by agreement between the State agency, the Secretary, and, with respect to enforcement operations within the exclusive economic zone [or special areas]*, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.

The Coast Guard has four overall objectives in its living marine resources mission:
To prevent illegal encroachment of the U.S. EEZ by foreign fishing vessels.
To ensure compliance with U.S. laws and regulations.
To monitor compliance with international agreements.
To develop viable enforcement schemes to support marine resource management plans

The Coast Guard Fisheries Enforcement Study provided an implementation plan containing 101 recommendations known as OCEAN GUARDIAN designed to make fisheries law enforcement more effective. OCEAN GUARDIAN is a ten-year strategy supported by a five-year budget. The Plan incorporates significant input from key customers in the fishing industry, as well as NMFS and state law enforcement agencies.. To ensure continued alignment with our customers, input was solicited through OCEAN GUARDIAN revalidation meetings held every four years. Air surveillance was and remains the primary means of detecting violations at sea.

[This information was obtained from the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act amended through October 11,1996. The complete report and additional information is available on CDs which may be obtained from The Ancient Order of Pterodactyls.]

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1996 --- The Mission Need Statement for the Deepwater Project:

The Mission Need Statement (MNS) for the Deepwater Capability Replacement (DCR) Project documented the continuing need for surface and aviation assets, with the required capabilities, to prosecute Coast Guard future missions in the Deepwater environment.

The Deepwater arena is defined as that area beyond the normal operating range of single-crewed shore-based small boats, where either extended on scene presence, long transit distances, or forward deployment is required to perform the mission.

The current Deepwater surface and air assets are aging fast and are approaching technological obsolescence. As these assets are retired from service, the Deepwater resource availability will decrease dramatically while demand continues to increase, leaving the Coast Guard unable to fulfill its major Deepwater obligations. A new project was initiated to ensure the timely acquisition of the appropriate Deepwater resources that utilized available technology and satisfied the identified Deepwater mission need.

The Deepwater project was developed as an integrated system of surface, air and sensor components during a Concept Exploration Phase. The project was structured to make it affordable in view of future budget constraints. Leveraging current and future technologies to achieve functional capabilities using fewer assets reduced life cycle costs. Once the overall concept was defined, individual projects were initiated.

The Coast Guard is a complex organization of people, ships, aircraft, boats, and shore stations tasked with the' following primary roles in support of the National Security Strategy:

MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT-.

The Coast Guard, as the nations lead maritime law enforcement agency, has broad, multifaceted jurisdictional authority. The current Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) emphasis is on:

(1) Combating illicit drug trafficking,

(2) interdicting illegal migrants at sea, and

(3) protecting fisheries and other living marine resources.

Additionally, the Coast Guard is responsible to enforce all federal laws at sea, and other responsibilities include preventing smuggling of other contraband such as firearms and currency, ensuring compliance with vessel safety laws, responding to vessel incidents involving violent acts or other criminal activity, and providing support to other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

MARITIME SAFETY -

The Coast Guard is responsible for conducting search and rescue (SAR) throughout the Maritime SAR Area, a massive region which includes all waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and high seas areas covering much of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as a substantial portion of the Arctic Ocean. In addition, maritime tradition and international law require Coast Guard assets to respond to distress requests for assistance in any area that they are operating in, regardless of location.

Since 1914 the Coast Guard has been responsible for the management and operation of the International Ice Patrol (IIP), an international effort to warn mariners of the presence of icebergs in the vicinity of major shipping lanes, as shown in Figure 2. Even in the modern age, icebergs remain a very real hazard to shipping, however, since the IIP began, no loss of life or vessels has occurred within its area of responsibility.

The Coast Guard supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in establishing and maintaining a system of offshore environmental data collection buoys which enhance the National Weather Service's weather forecasting ability.

NATIONAL DEFENSE -

The Coast Guard is, by statute, "a military service and a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States at all times" (14 USC 1). The Coast Guard has participated in every war or national contingency since our nation was founded. The Coast Guard offers the nation a defense bargain as our assets, while sometimes less capable, are far less expensive than Navy platforms, and are fully employed during peacetime, thus "earning their keep" while waiting to respond.

Although the Coast Guard performs a variety of defense taskings, our core competencies at present include:
Maritime Interception Operations (MIO), a naval mission conducted to enforce the seaward portion of certain sanctions against other nations or group of nations including surveillance of approach zones, querying and/or stopping inbound vessels, boarding and searching them to ensure compliance with applicable international rules and UN resolutions, and diverting or redirecting those vessels not in compliance;
Deployed Port Operations, Security and Defense (DPOSD), a national defense mission conducted to ensure militarily critical port and harbor areas in or near the theater of operations are maintained free of hostile threats, terrorist actions and safety deficiencies which would be a threat to support and re-supply operations; and
Environmental Defense Operations, a mission yet to be fully developed, where Coast Guard forces will assist in responding to minimize operational interference and environmental damage caused by deliberate enemy actions such as the Iraqi-generated crude oil spill during Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION -
The Coast Guard is responsible for the enforcement of a number of safety and pollution prevention regulations on ships operating in U.S. waters, including foreign vessels.

Future Missions.

The Deepwater Mission Analysis Report (MAR) points to other possible Deepwater missions for the Coast Guard of the future. Possibilities under consideration include a wide variety of military and diplomatic missions.

Mission Study Statements Pertaining to Aviation --
Aviation assets are invaluable due to their speed and ability to cover large areas quickly. Fixed wing aircraft (C-130 and HU-25) routinely conduct surveillance for all Deepwater missions, often employing advanced radar or infrared systems to enhance their detection and classification ranges. The C-130 Hercules has a large cargo capacity which allows it to fly critical logistics support for deployed operations. The HU-Z5 Falcon aircraft, because of its speed, serves as an air intercept in deterring air drug smuggling, and its infrared systems serve well in detecting and determining the limits of marine pollution. Our helicopters fly short and medium range surveillance, and are capable of operating independently, forward deploying to remote locations, or deploying onboard WMECs and WMECs to extend cutter capabilities. Aircraft of all classes provide our quickest response to SAR cases and can drop or lower survival equipment to those in distress, while helicopters often utilize their lift capability to rescue survivors when necessary. Most of our current Deepwater resources are reaching their end of useful service.

[This information was obtained from The Mission Need Statement for the Deepwater Capability Replacement Report. The complete report and additional information on the Mission Need Statement program is available on CD which may be obtained from The Ancient Order of Pterodactyls.]

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1997 --- Drug Interdiction:

The Coast Guard's long-term maritime interdiction strategic concept is to deny smugglers access to maritime routes through a sequence of operations that concentrate interdiction forces in high threat areas of the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Once a credible law enforcement presence is established and smuggling activity deterred, interdiction forces are redeployed to other high-threat areas. An enhanced law enforcement presence is left behind to maintain deterrence, interdict subsequent smuggling, and raise the costs of drug trafficking. The concentration of interdiction forces in high threat areas is referred to as pulse operations. Ultimately, pulse operations in each high-threat area will systematically reduce drug flow through the Transit Zone. This concept of operations was successfully demonstrated in the waters surrounding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the Coast Guard's Operation FRONTIER SHIELD, begun in 1997.

Operation FRONTIER SHIELD was a genuine case study for the regional impact of interdiction. In 1997, the Coast Guard, in conjunction with interagency partners, conducted a large surge operation in the maritime approaches to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Interagency interdiction forces reduced the flow of cocaine into Puerto Rico approximately 50 percent from the level in1996, and that reduced flow rate was sustained through 1998. Maritime smuggling events in Puerto Rico and the Eastern Caribbean declined from 33 percent to about 20 percent of total events in the Caribbean. As predicted, FRONTIER SHIELD forced drug traffic to shift to the west.

Operation GULF SHIELD and Operation BORDER SHIELD, two Coast Guard operations complement existing law enforcement efforts took place along the land border with Mexico. Operation BORDER SHIELD on the Pacific side and GULF SHIELD on the Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico side logically extend land border efforts into the surrounding maritime region. The overall strategy was a combination of enhanced surface and air radar and infrared surveillance and covert tracking, and OPBAT-like apprehension efforts using rapid response aircraft, boats and task forces These forces consisted of medium endurance cutters, patrol boats, fixed wing aircraft surveillance, helicopter response assets, and rigid hull inflatable small boats.

[The Statement of Rear Admiral Ernest Riutta, USCG, on Coast Guard drug interdiction given before the U.S. House of Representatives, June 10, 1998, is available on a CD which may be obtained from The Ancient Order of Pterodactyls.]

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1997 --- Deepwater Capability Replacement Review:

In October 1997, then Rear Adm. Thomas Collins led a group of 11 senior personnel who made up the Deepwater Capability Replacement Analysis Review Team. The team's role was to review the acquisition strategy, organizational arrangement and staffing of the Deepwater project. The "Collins Report" not only validated a majority of the program's efforts, it also identified areas of improvement that the program subsequently acted upon. For example, the program adopted a two-phased approach based on the report's recommendation.

The first phase of the Deepwater program was completed on June 15, 2001. As a result of the innovative partnering and communication efforts between the Coast Guard and industry, the program achieved its goal of having three industry teams poised to develop final proposals with comprehensively priced and scheduled Integrated Deepwater System implementation plan. The Coast Guard will move into Phase II during which time the contracting teams refined their proposals. The Coast Guard currently commence a decade long effort, valued at approximately $8.0 - $10.0 billion, to replace between 30 and 40 multipurpose high and medium endurance cutters, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft and command, control, communications and surveillance gear.

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1998 --- Drug interdiction pulse operations: Operation Frontier Lance.

The Coast Guard's operation NEW FRONTIER, which was an ongoing purge operation, combined cutters, armed helicopters, and specially outfitted small boats, proved successful. In 1998, the Coast Guard estimated that it was stopping less than ten percent of drugs entering the United States via the sea. Admiral James Loy, Commandant during this period, authorized the use of force and directed the Coast Guard to develop a plan to counter the go fast threat. This gave rise to the beginnings of a helicopter interdiction force. Commander Mark Torres molded an initial group of ten volunteers into a cohesive and effective team. The group pioneered novel and effective operating tactics and procedures. The team flew leased MH-90 enforcer helicopters. The MH-90, a militarized version of the MD-900 helicopters built by MD Helicopters Incorporated was an all weather, short range, single rotor, shipboard helicopter It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney 206D turboshaft engine and designed without a tail rotor. It could cruise at 120 knots for 2.5 hours. The 6,500-pound helicopter was equipped with weather radar, an Mk III forward-looking infrared system (with video-recording capability), night-vision devices, an external sling capable of lifting 1,500 pounds, and a rescue hoist capable of lifting 600 pounds. The crew consisted of two pilots and one crewman. The crewman's principal duties include: (a) firing an M240G 7.62mm machine gun (swivel-mounted at the portside cabin door) and/or a hand-held laser-sighted .50-caliber rifle; and (b) operating hand-held video and photographic equipment. MD Helicopters provided logistic support for the Enforcers. The go-fast boats--30 to 45 feet in length and capable of ranging up to 1,300 miles--are faster than the so-called "cigarette" boats and represent a dramatic escalation in the cat-and-mouse drug-interdiction war. U.S. officials calculated that go-fast boats--

which made an estimated 400 transits last year--were used to smuggle 61 percent of the illegal drugs entering the United States in 1997 and 85 percent in 1998. Use of the go-fast boats gave the smugglers an 85 percent success rate, the officials said.

During operations in August and September, the MH-90s--which operated from medium- or high-endurance cutters working in concert with 38-foot 57-knot RHIBs (rigid-hull inflatable boats)--intercepted go-fast boats on four occasions. On some missions, the M240G machine gun was used to fire warning shots across the bow, after which the .50-caliber rifle was used to disable the boat's engines. The crew also deployed "sting balls"--small grenades that dispense rubber pellets.

Loy credited the Coast Guard's bold tactics--introduced in Operation New Frontier--with intercepting 53 tons of drugs, including a record amount of cocaine, since October 1998. The August and September operations resulted in the seizure of more than 6,000 pounds of cocaine and marijuana.

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1998 --- Alien Interdiction of Chinese migrants:

In addition to the migrant threat from these Caribbean countries, there has been an alarming increase in the number of migrants from Asia, most of who are from the People's Republic of China. Very often Chinese migrants rely on well-organized, extremely violent, alien smugglers to gain entry into the United States. The living conditions on the vessels used to smuggle migrants are appalling, with overcrowded holds and unsafe sanitary conditions. In many cases, migrants are transferred to smaller pick up vessels offshore for the final ride to the U.S., or they're taken to Central American countries and smuggled across the U.S. land border. Staring in 1998, more Chinese migrants began making trips from China attempting to enter Guam, which continues to be a significant problem. The International Information Programs has additional information on Chinese Alien Smuggling.

In 1999 and 2000, Coast Guard cutters on Counterdrug patrol in the Eastern Pacific encountered increasing numbers of migrants being smuggled from Ecuador to points in Central America and Mexico.

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1999 --- The 1999 National Search and Rescue Plan:

The 1999 National search and Rescue Plan continued, by interagency agreement, the effective use of all available facilities in all types of SAR missions. The National Search and Rescue Plan-1986 was superseded by this plan. The plan provided for coordinating civil search and rescue (SAR) services to meet domestic needs and international commitments. Implementing guidance for this Plan was provided in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR Manual discussed below), the National Search and Rescue Supplement (a domestic interagency supplement to the IAMSAR Manual), and other relevant directives of the Participants to this Plan.

OBJECTIVES: Knowing the importance of cooperation in providing expeditious and effective SAR services, the Participants to this Plan desire to:
· Provide a national plan for coordinating SAR services to meet domestic needs and international commitments, and to document related basic national policies;
· Support lifesaving provisions of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue of IMO, the Convention on International Civil Aviation of ICAO, certain international agreements to which the U.S. is Party, and similar international instruments;
· Provide an overall Plan for coordination of SAR operations, effective use of all available resources, mutual assistance, and efforts to improve such cooperation and services; and
· Integrate available resources which can be used for SAR into a cooperative network for greater protection of life and property and to ensure greater efficiency and economy.

This Plan is further intended to:
· Help the U.S. satisfy its humanitarian, national, and international SAR-related obligations;
· Provide national guidance for development of SAR-related systems;
· Describe its Participants and their roles in a pro-lifesaving context;
· Recognize lead federal agencies, respectively, for the types of operations covered by this Plan, and describe geographic regions of SAR responsibility, as appropriate;
· Account for saving property, but on a secondary basis to saving lives;
· Account for all operations up to and including providing initial assistance (food, clothing, medical, etc.) to survivors and delivering them to a place of safety; and
· Have, as a primary concept, cooperation for overall and continual development, coordination and improvement of SAR services.

The Coast Guard and Coast Guard aviation has a primary responsibility and provides significant resources to facilitate this plan.

[This information was obtained from the 1999 National Search and Rescue Plan. The complete plan is available on CDs which may be obtained from The Ancient Order of Pterodactyls.]

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1999 --- USCG Cutter Bear deploys with the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet for Operation Allied Force.

As part of the U.S. Fleet the USCG Cutter Bear operated in the Adriatic and Black Seas. The BEAR provided outstanding service in surveillance and the protection of our forces. The Commander of the Sixth Fleet, Vice Admiral Murphy, commented on how well and how seamlessly Bear folded into the naval operations. The cutter and crew assisted in efforts to maintain sea control while permitting unencumbered commercial shipping. The BEAR was the only combat vessel permitted to operate inside the range of Serbian missiles. The Commandant of The Coast Guard, Admiral James Loy, stated that Coast Guard Units operating in concert with the Navy is a trend the Coast Guard sees as growing, not diminishing.

HH-65A viewed from hangar USCG Cutter Bear

Landing deck of USCG Cutter Bear viewed from HH-65A

1999 --- The Interagency Task Force on Coast Guard rolls and Missions:

In Executive Order 13115, the President established the Interagency Task Force on the Roles and Missions of the United States Coast Guard. The President directed the Task Force to "provide advice and recommendations regarding the appropriate roles and missions for the United States Coast Guard through the year 2020." While the Executive Order sought a review of all Coast Guard roles and missions, it directed the Task Force to give "special attention" to the deepwater missions of the Coast Guard. The Executive Order defined deepwater missions as those occurring beyond fifty (50) nautical miles from U.S. shores. The President emphasized deepwater missions because the Coast Guard is currently pursuing its Deepwater Capabilities Replacement Project ("Deepwater Project"), which involves the replacement or modernization of many of the ships and aircraft used in search and rescue, drug interdiction, the interception of illegal immigrants, fisheries regulation, defense operations and other at-sea operations.

The Task Force, which reported to the President through the Secretary of Transportation, was chaired by U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Mortimer L. Downey. The other members of the task force included deputy secretaries of cabinet-level departments, members of President Clinton's staff, and members of staff advisory councils. Admiral James M. Loy, commandant of the Coast Guard, also is a member.

"The critical importance of the Coast Guard to maritime safety, security and environmental protection demands that we take a focused look at how it can carry out its mission most effectively," Deputy Secretary Downey said.

The task force identified and distinguished which Coast Guard roles, missions, and functions might be added or enhanced, maintained at current levels of performance, reduced or eliminated. It also considered whether these roles, missions and functions might be better performed by private organizations, public authorities, local or state governments, or other federal agencies. In addition to these requirements, the task force also advised as to how these roles, missions and functions might be performed more effectively and efficiently. The last roles and missions study for the Coast Guard was conducted in 1982..

Since the 1982 Roles and Missions Study, a new National Drug Control Strategy emerged. In 1988, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act established the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to set priorities, implement a national strategy, and certify federal drug-control budgets. Executive Orders 12880 (1993) and 12992 and 13023 (1996) assigned ONDCP responsibility within the executive branch for leading drug-control policy and developing an outcome-measurement system. ONDCP has published its National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) which describes illicit drug trafficking as one of the principal hemispheric security concerns along with the often-related threats of organized crime, money laundering and terrorism.

The vessels and aircraft fighting to stem the flow of illicit narcotics will also continue their duties interdicting illegal migrants. The Federal Government implemented policies to streamline the interdiction of illegal migrants at sea. In 1992, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12807, which eliminated the requirement that migrants be screened at sea for refugee status. Presidential Directive 9, signed in 1993, provides policy guidance to federal agencies stating that the U.S. government "will take the necessary measures to preempt, interdict and deter alien smuggling into the U.S." It now specifically tasks the Coast Guard with interdicting illegal migrants as far as possible from U.S. shores.

In combating the twin threats of illegal maritime immigration and drug trafficking, Coast Guard engagement activities, including training and exercises with foreign maritime forces, have fostered closer ties and improved cooperation with foreign nations. These engagement activities have the potential to reduce demand on Coast Guard resources as foreign maritime law enforcement operations disrupt drug trafficking and illegal immigration closer to its point of origination.

In a world where the U.S. exists as the only true superpower and has accepted the challenge and responsibilities of global leadership, the probable threats to U.S. security have changed. The single, dominant threat posed by the Soviet Union has been replaced by smaller, yet significant regional challenges to our national interests. The present environment will create new demands for operations other than war, peacekeeping, crisis response, and counter-terrorism. Coast Guard aviation forces were to be upgraded in accordance with the Deepwater requirements.

[ A copy of the report of the Interagency Task Force on Coast Guard Roles and Missions is on a CD which may be obtained from the Ancient Order of Pterodactyls]

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2000 --- Lieutenant Commander Daniel Burbank makes space flight in the shuttle Atlantis.

Daniel Christopher Burbank American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Born 27 July 1961. Personal: Male, Married, Two children. Born in Manchester, Connecticut, USA. Astronaut Career Status: Active. Entered space service: 1 May 1996. Number Flights: 1. Total Time: 11.80 days.

NASA Official Biography
NAME: Daniel C. Burbank (Lieutenant Commander, USCG)
NASA Astronaut Candidate (Mission Specialist)

PERSONAL DATA:
Born July 27, 1961 in Manchester, Connecticut, but considers Tolland, Connecticut, to be his hometown. Married. Two children. Enjoys running, skiing, hiking, sailing, amateur astronomy, playing guitar. His parents, Daniel and Joan Burbank, reside in Tolland, Connecticut. His sister, Suzanne Burbank, resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

EDUCATION:
Graduated from Tolland High School, Tolland, Connecticut, in 1979; received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1985, and a master of science degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1990.

ORGANIZATIONS:
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); National Space Society; Order of Daedalians; U.S. Coast Guard Pterodactyls; U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association.

AWARDS:
Air Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, 2 Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbons, 3 Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, various other service awards.

SPECIAL HONORS:
Awarded the Orville Wright Achievement Award and honorary membership in the Order of Daedalians as the top naval flight training graduate during the period January 1 to June 30, 1988. Awarded Texas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Achievement Award as the top Coast Guard graduate of flight training for the year 1988.

EXPERIENCE:
Burbank received his commission from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May 1985, and was assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin (WHEC 721) as Deck Watch Officer and Law Enforcement/Boarding Officer. In January, 1987, he reported to naval flight training at Pensacola, Florida, and graduated in February 1988. Burbank was then assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where he became an Aircraft Commander in the HH-3F Pelican and then an Aircraft Commander/Instructor Pilot in the HH-60J Jayhawk. While at Elizabeth City, he completed training in Aviation Maintenance/Administration in preparation for assignment as an Aeronautical Engineering Officer. He also earned a master's degree in aeronautical science. In July 1992, Burbank was assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as the Rotary Wing Engineering Officer and HH-60J Aircraft Commander/Instructor Pilot. In May 1995, he was assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Alaska, as the Aeronautical Engineering Officer and HH-60J Aircraft Commander.

Burbank has logged over 3,000 flight hours, primarily in Coast Guard helicopters, and has flown more than 1,800 missions including over 300 search and rescue missions.

NASA EXPERIENCE:
Selected by NASA in April 1996, Burbank reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996 to begin two years of training and evaluation. Successful completion of initial training will qualify him for various technical assignments leading to selection as a mission specialist on a Space Shuttle flight crew.

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2001 --- Rescue Swimmer Wings insignia authorized:

The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Insignia

The first set of the newly authorized 'helicopter rescue swimmer insignia, or 'wings', were presented to the senior rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard, Master Chief Aviation Survival Technician (AST) Keith Jensen, at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C. today. Coast Guard Master Chief Keith Jensen of Alexandria, Virginia, is presented with the first set of Coast Guard rescue swimmer "wings" by Rear Adm. Terry Cross, assistant commandant for operations, at Coast Guard headquarters July 19. "It's an honor to receive these wings on behalf of all Coast Guard rescue swimmers," said Jensen. "This special insignia recognizes the unique position of the helicopter rescue swimmer and I'm proud to wear them," he said.

The U.S. Coast Guard's rescue swimmer program began following a tragedy at sea in 1983. The Marine Electric sank off the coast of Virginia and 31 of 34 crewmen died. Although Coast Guard rescue helicopters were sent to the scene, the ship's crewmen in the water were numbed by hypothermia and could not get themselves into rescue baskets. A vital final link between the rescue helicopter and the victim - a rescue swimmer - did not exist in the Coast Guard. A Navy helicopter with a rescue swimmer later joined the Marine Electric rescue effort and helped recover some of the crew but in the end only three survived.

Ironically, it was the Coast Guard helicopter rescue of 34 crewmen from a sinking vessel off the coast of Virginia in January of 2001 that put the number of people saved by Coast Guard rescue swimmers over the 4,000 mark (since 1992 when the service began keeping formal records on rescue swimmer cases).

The Marine Electric case and subsequent legislation led to the establishment of a new enlisted Coast Guard specialty or 'rating' called Aviation Survivalman (ASM) whose duties included rescue swimming. The rating name was later changed to Aviation Survival Technician (AST). In addition to swimming duties, ASTs also serve as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), helicopter aircrew members, aviation life support equipment maintenance experts, and survival trainers. The new rescue swimmer wings were authorized by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in a service wide message issued on July 13, which outlined eligibility and other details about the new insignia. The insignia depicts crossed rescue swimmer flippers superimposed on a 'cross of life' (widely used as a symbol for EMT's) representing the swimmer's EMT skills, and gold wings denoting aviation.

Special insignia such as the rescue swimmer wings are very important symbols. Uniforms and insignia have evolved over centuries to give military personnel a way to quickly identify a person's rank, position, specialized training and accomplishments. This symbol of abilities represents the pride and professionalism of the United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer.

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2001 --- Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron 10 (HITRON) established:

Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON)

HITRON Mission Statement: To provide the personnel, training, and resources necessary to employ Airborne Use of Force tactics in support of counter drug operations and Homeland Security to protect the United States against possible terrorist attacks. HITRON Motto: Force From Above The United States Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville, Florida is America's first and only airborne law enforcement unit trained and authorized airborne use of force.

Augusta MH68 Helicopter

Initially tasked with interdicting and stopping suspected drug-laden, high-speed vessels known as 'go-fasts,' HITRON has expanded their mission to include Homeland Security. The Coast Guard aggressively pursued a project - involving the use of armed helicopters for some law enforcement missions - that could have a far-reaching effect for America's overall maritime security.

U.S. sovereignty and security at sea are now under attack, but not in the traditional military sense. Instead, the nation has in recent years faced an array of challenges quite unlike anything previously experienced; maritime terrorism and major increase in arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal migration. These challenges respect no boundaries, have a predominately law-enforcement dimension, and have broadened the definition of national security in both number and complexity of issues facing the Coast Guard. To deal with these threats the Coast Guard needs more than it's fleet of cutters. For the first time in its long history of maritime security operations, the Coast Guard is turning to its aviation forces as the means to stop - and board, if necessary - non-cooperating surface vessels.

During an early proof of concept phase, HITRON intercepted and stopped all five go-fasts they encountered, stopping 2,640 pounds of cocaine, and 7,000 pounds of marijuana with a street value of over $100 million, with all 17 suspects arrested. This five for five success rate represented a dramatic increase in go-fast seizures, and resulted in a cultural change for Coast Guard aviation and set the stage for enhanced future maritime drug interdiction efforts. Due to the success during the test and evaluation stage, the HITRON program was validated and designated a permanent Coast Guard unit. HITRON grew to 40 personnel to halt the rising tide of go-fast drug smugglers, and a requirement for eight helicopters was determined necessary to meet cutter deployment cycles.

Due to Federal contracting laws, a competitive bid was necessary to choose a permanent aircraft for the mission, and the proposal from Augusta Aircraft Corporation was selected as it represented the best value. In March 2000, Augusta was awarded the contract to provide eight A109E Power helicopters. These aircraft employ the latest radar and Forward Looking Infrared sensors as well as state of the art Night Vision Goggles to pierce the night. HITRON arms these helicopters with M-16 5.56mm rifles and M240 7.62mm machine guns for warning shots and self-protection, and the RC50 laser-sighted .50 caliber precision rifle to disable the engines of non-compliant suspect vessels. They were given the military designation of MH68A. The MH-68A's are the newest helicopters in the U.S. military, and are capable of cruise speeds of 140 knots.

The aircraft were made shipboard compatible. Night shipboard landings, a first for the Coast Guard and now operational procedure Coast Guard wide, were initiated using the ANVIS-9 Night Vision Goggles integrated with the ANVIS-7 heads-up display (HUD) system, and were the first users in the world to operate the latest generation of these night vision devices. For counter drug operations, HITRON aircrews forward deploy aboard Coast Guard cutters for 30-60 day deployments, and aircrews are typically deployed about 120 days a year total. While on deployment, the go-fasts are hunted not only by the MH-68A but also by maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) such as the Coast Guard HC-130H Hercules. If an MPA locates a go-fast, the HITRON crew launches from the cutter and proceeds to the go-fast intercept location. The crew then approaches the suspect vessel with weapons trained on the vessel solely for self-protection. Once over the suspect vessel, the helicopter crew confirms the nationality or lack of nation status and whether the vessel is in fact a suspect smuggling vessel. The aircrew will then attempt to convince the boat crew to stop through the use of sirens, loud speakers, visual hand signals, and radio communications in both English and Spanish. If the vessel stops during this phase, it is boarded and searched by the cutter's boat crew who accompany the chase in an over-the-horizon pursuit boat. If the vessel is found to be carrying drugs, the cutter crew will take appropriate law enforcement actions. If the suspect vessel fails to stop after these numerous visual and verbal warnings, the helicopter crew will take up a firing position alongside the go-fast and fire warning shots across their bow to further compel them to stop. If the warning shots do not convince the suspects to stop, the helicopter crew prepares to disable the vessel by shooting out the go-fast's engines. Using precision, laser-sighted .50 caliber rifles, the helicopter crew positions themselves alongside the fleeing go-fast for disabling shots. Most of the go-fasts have multiple engines, and the helo crew will continue to fire into these engines until the suspects stop or they are forced to stop. Once stopped, the vessel will be boarded by the Coast Guard pursuit boat crew and the smugglers taken into

For counter drug operations, HITRON aircrews forward deploy aboard Coast Guard cutters for 30-60 day deployments, and aircrews are typically deployed about 120 days a year total. While on deployment, the go-fasts are hunted not only by the MH-68A but also by maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) such as the Coast Guard HC-130H Hercules. If an MPA locates a go-fast, the HITRON crew launches from the cutter and proceeds to the go-fast intercept location. The crew then approaches the suspect vessel with weapons trained on the vessel solely for self-protection. Once over the suspect vessel, the helicopter crew confirms the nationality or lack of nation status and whether the vessel is in fact a suspect smuggling vessel. The aircrew will then attempt to convince the boat crew to stop through the use of sirens, loud speakers, visual hand signals, and radio communications in both English and Spanish. If the vessel stops during this phase, it is boarded and searched by the cutter's boat crew who accompany the chase in an over-the-horizon pursuit boat. If the vessel is found to be carrying drugs, the cutter crew will take appropriate law enforcement actions. If the suspect vessel fails to stop after these numerous visual and verbal warnings, the helicopter crew will take up a firing position alongside the go-fast and fire warning shots across their bow to further compel them to stop. If the warning shots do not convince the suspects to stop, the helicopter crew prepares to disable the vessel by shooting out the go-fast's engines. Using precision, laser-sighted .50 caliber rifles, the helicopter crew positions themselves alongside the fleeing go-fast for disabling shots. Most of the go-fasts have multiple engines, and the helo crew will continue to fire into these engines until the suspects stop or they are forced to stop. Once stopped, the vessel will be boarded by the Coast Guard pursuit boat crew and the smugglers taken into custody.

USCG Cutter Mohawk with MH-68A on board

MH-68A landing on board

[ This information is taken from an article written by Lt. Craig Neubecker USCG. His article is available on the USCG Historians web site]

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2001 --- Initial contracts for deepwater awarded:

Coast Guard Launches Multi-Billion Dollar Plan For New Fleet Of Ships, Aircraft, Command Systems For Homeland Security, Other Missions:

U. S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Michael P. Jackson, joined by U. S. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins, on June 25,2002, announced the award of a landmark contract valued at $11.04 billion for a fleet of new ships and aircraft, plus improved command and control systems, to meet the service's homeland security and other mission needs. In addition, the contract includes $5.91 billion for operating, maintenance, and sustainment costs for a value of $16.95 billion. The contract was awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture established by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

"The Deepwater Program will ensure that the Coast Guard continues to guarantee the nation's maritime security," said Deputy Secretary Jackson. "As America's first line of defense for maritime homeland security, it is critical that the Coast Guard be able to identify and intercept targets of interest as far from U. S. shores as possible."

Known as the 'Deepwater Program,' the ICGS award is the largest ever for the U. S. Coast Guard. It calls for the delivery of the first ships and planes - and upgrades to some existing vessels - within the next five years. This was the first time the Coast Guard has bundled procurement of several types of ships, aircraft and other equipment into an integrated procurement program.

The contract may extend up to 30 years. Deepwater will involve the acquisition of up to 91 ships, 35 fixed-wing aircraft, 34 helicopters, 76 unmanned surveillance aircraft, and upgrade of 49 existing cutters and 93 helicopters, in addition to systems for communications, surveillance and command and control.

"The tragic events of September 11th changed the world as we know it. Homeland security, now more than ever, is a mission where we must succeed," said Admiral Collins. "As the leader in Maritime Homeland Defense, the Coast Guard must have the most capable ships, aircraft, sensors and communications technology available to protect our nation and carry out our many missions. The Deepwater Program will give us the necessary tools to create an effective, layered defense of our nation's maritime interests."

The vessels and aircraft included in the ICGS procurement project make up the Coast Guard's primary multi-mission coastal and offshore fleet -- larger Coast Guard cutters and aircraft which serve as the backbone of many missions including drug and illegal migrant interdiction, fisheries enforcement, pollution patrols, and homeland security patrols, boardings and inspections. Command, control and communications systems will be designed not only to integrate operations of the new ships and planes, but also improve coordination of all Coast Guard operations, as well as with other Federal agencies and the Department of Defense.

Existing ships that would be replaced include fourteen 1960's vintage 210-foot Reliance class, and a variety of other ships, some dating back from World War II. Aircraft readiness has also been a recurring problem in recent years with expenditures for repairs on the rise, and some of the Coast Guard's existing helicopters cannot operate from the flight decks of some older cutters.

The new ships and planes will come at an opportune time for the Coast Guard. In addition to increased homeland security responsibilities which involve "pushing our borders back" to protect our ports, waterways, and coastlines, the Coast Guard still has many missions vital to the nation's physical, economic and environmental security. Primary duties include: search and rescue, maritime emergency response, military operations, anti-drug patrols, illegal migrant interdiction, and fisheries enforcement.

The Coast Guard's Deepwater Program that led to the ICGS contract has been in development since 1995. The ICGS contract does not include smaller rescue and patrol boats, buoy tenders and workboats, icebreakers, or shore side facilities. [A series of articles and reports on the Deepwater project is available on CDs which may be obtained from The Ancient Order of Pterodactyls.]

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2003 --- The Coast Guard Aviation Transformation Plan:

Coast Guard Aviation Gets a New Look By Commander Carl Alam, U.S. Coast Guard, and Charles Greco The Integrated Deepwater System project is under way, and will change the face of Coast Guard aviation as it introduces new systems-such as CASA twin-engine maritime patrol aircraft-and upgrades legacy aircraft.

CASA235-300M

In August of 2002, during the ceremony making the contract award for the Integrated Deepwater System, (IDS), Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas H. Collins described the critical need to upgrade and modernize the service's force of cutters, aerial platforms, and support systems. "As the leader in maritime homeland security" Admiral Collins said, "the Coast Guard must have the most capable ships, aircraft , and command-and-control technology available to protect our nation and carry out our many missions."

A contract was awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS)-a joint venture between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin-the plan to implement the transformation of Coast Guard aviation has been set in motion. It provides for the progressive upgrading of selected legacy assets and the introduction of new and more capable fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), leading to a new look for Coast Guard aviation.

Most important, the transformation of Coast Guard aviation assets is aimed at creating major improvements to system-level operational effectiveness at an affordable cost. Given the Coast Guard's operational tempo since the attacks of 11 September 2001-and the overall material condition of all aircraft-the need to transform its aviation assets has never been more compelling.

The IDS Aviation Solution

The Coast Guard's aging force of legacy aerial assets faces increased operational demands, spiraling maintenance costs, and less than optimum operational effectiveness in a number of areas. These trends are especially worrisome in light of the operational requirements associated with today's high-priority homeland security, national defense, and search-and-rescue missions. Fortunately, a much-needed infusion of additional funding for operations and maintenance during the past two years has restored the readiness rates for all aircraft systems to stable levels. Upgrades to aircraft sensors have improved operational capabilities in a number of areas, but shortfalls still exist in fielding secure, fully interoperable communications and data-exchange systems.

The Coast Guard's aviation units accumulate flying hours on airframes, aircraft engines, and components more quickly than their counterparts in sister services. These hours accelerate the impact of wear and tear, raise safety-of-flight issues in some areas, and require the replacement of "high-time" components more frequently. The average age of the Coast Guard's fixed-wing inventory is 20 years, and its rotary-wing fleet averages 16 years for the HH-65 Dolphin and 11 years for the HH-60 Jayhawk. Since 1993, the Coast Guard's maintenance-support budget grew at just 2% per year at a time when its documented operating and maintenance costs rose by 7-11% per year.

Despite these challenges, Coast Guard aviation properly takes pride in its impressive record of mission accomplishment. Mindful of the cold facts associated with its aging legacy platforms-and their block obsolescence by the end of this decade-Deepwater's system-of-systems approach for recapitalization was the only feasible and affordable option to sustain the Coast Guard's aviation excellence well into the 21st century.

Over the next 18 years, Deepwater's mix of upgraded legacy assets and new aerial platforms will be phased into operational service. All aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs will be outfitted with improved radars and sensors for night and all-weather operations. Interoperable communication and data-exchange systems also will be incorporated to improve the capabilities needed for joint, multiagency operations and the development of maritime domain awareness and a common operating picture.

Legacy aviation assets that are expensive to operate and maintain-such as the HU-25 Guardian medium-range search-and-rescue turbojet-will begin retire in 2005 and will be fully retired by 2013. Today's force of 23 HC-130H search-and-surveillance aircraft will be reduced, but the remaining aircraft will be upgraded with improved command-and-control capabilities to ensure full interoperability with other IDS platforms.

Delivery of two stock airframes for the CASA CN235-300M maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) is scheduled for early 2006. Under current planning, the new twin-engine aircraft will begin to enter service by mid-decade. The craft will be designed to perform its maritime air patrol mission through the incorporation of a palletized and fully integrated tactical system and state-of-the-market radar and sensors.

Deepwater's aviation plan also calls for the Coast Guard to introduce its first UAVs into the inventory by mid-decade. In February, Bell Helicopter was awarded a contract to commence concept and preliminary design work on the HV-911 Eagle Eye vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle. Prototypes are to be developed and built for testing in 2005. The Coast Guard plans to purchase 69 Eagle Eyes if the aircraft meets requirements.

VUAVs will be deployed on board new-construction offshore patrol cutters and national security cutters as well as on Bear (WMEC-901)-class medium-endurance legacy cutters. The VUAV's initial operational capability, projected for 2006, is timed for the delivery of the first national security cutter. Up to four Eagle Eyes can be deployed, or two may deploy jointly when a helicopter is embarked.

With a planned endurance of 6.2 hours and a dash airspeed of 220 knots, the Eagle Eye will improve detection, surveillance, and monitoring capabilities, enhancing the process of classifying and identifying targets of interest. The Marine Corps recently expressed an interest in incorporating the Eagle Eye into its UAV inventory, creating the possibility of joint cooperation.

Progressive Upgrades and Modernization

Legacy HH-65A helicopters will have improved landing gear installed, the mission-computer unit replaced, and radar, engines, transmission, fuel, and avionics systems upgraded. Beginning in 2007 and extending to 2013, current plans call for all upgraded HH-65 multi-mission cutter helicopters (MCHs) to enter service. This upgrade will increase the HH-65's maximum takeoff weight to 9,500 pounds, range to 420 nautical miles, and endurance to 3.5 hours. Nearly all of the fleet's workhorse HH-60J helicopters also will be upgraded with improved radar, sensors, and new avionics.

HH-65A

HH-60J

The Bell-Augusta Aerospace AB-139 VTOL Recovery and Surveillance (VRS) helicopter will replace the HH-60J Jayhawk when the last is retired in 2022. This state-of-the-art, medium-range, twin-engine helicopter was designed to meet the unique demands of high-risk operating environments. Delivery is planned between 2014 and 2022.

Bell-Augusta AB-139 VTOL Recovery & Surveillance (VRS) Helicopter

Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawks will complete Deepwater's solution for aviation assets. The Global Hawk, a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV, will provide operational commanders with high-resolution, near real-time imagery of large geographic areas. Its advanced technology sensors, a 1,900-pound reconfigurable payload bay, and the ability to remain in flight for long periods will provide commanders with important new capabilities to obtain the intelligence needed to achieve information dominance in the ever-changing maritime domain.

Global Hawk's 12,500-nautical-mile range and 38-hour endurance, combined with satellite and line-of-sight communication links to other air and surface platforms and operation centers ashore, will permit wide-area surveillance and monitoring operations. High-resolution sensors that can look through adverse weather at day or night from an altitude of 65,000 feet can conduct surveillance over an area roughly the size of Illinois in just 24 hours.

UAVs will deliver an estimated 90,000 flight hours over the life of the program. It is estimated that the total aviation solution of manned and unmanned platforms will deliver approximately 80% more flight hours than the current legacy system.

The Challenge of Transformation

The Coast Guard's aviation community will experience some cultural changes as older aircraft are phased out and new platforms come online. The reality of acquisitions costs presented Integrated Coast Guard Systems with some difficult choices in balancing acceptable platform alternatives with cost objectives.

For example, in deciding to transition to the twin-engine turboprop HC-235 maritime patrol aircraft, it was necessary to trade some of the advantages of the larger, longer-range, more capable (and more expensive) C-130 aircraft. From a Deepwater perspective, the HC-235 (with its improved surveillance capabilities), when combined with smaller numbers of HC-130s, will meet system-wide performance requirements adequately while reducing total ownership costs.

The Deepwater's system-of-systems approach to acquisition is new for a service long accustomed to optimizing the capabilities of its individual assets in platform-for-platform replacement programs. Challenges will be encountered along the way, but Deepwater will transform Coast Guard aviation in new and exciting ways, sustaining a tradition of operational excellence.

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2003 --- The President signed into law the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which created the Department of Homeland Security. Under this legislation, the U.S. Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of Transportation to the new Department on March 1.

Coast Guard's Role Within Department Of Homeland Security

Section 888 of the Homeland Security Act specifically requires that the Coast Guard be maintained as a distinct agency with the Commandant reporting directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Functions, authorities, and capabilities of the Coast Guard to perform its missions shall be maintained intact and without significant reductions. It further delineates specific homeland security missions and non-homeland security missions.

The term homeland security mission means:
· Ports, waterways, and coastal security.
· Drug interdiction.
· Migrant interdiction.
· Defense readiness.
· Other law enforcement.

The term non-homeland security mission means:
· Marine safety.
· Search and rescue.
· Aids to navigation.
· Fisheries law enforcement.
· Marine environmental protection.
· Ice operations.

The Secretary may not reduce the missions of the Coast Guard or the ability of the Coast Guard to perform these missions except by changes in existing law. Additionally, the Inspector General of DHS shall conduct an annual review that will assess the performance by the Coast Guard of all missions of the Coast Guard with a particular emphasis on examining the non-homeland security missions.

The Coast Guard Mission Since September 11th, 2001

Since September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard has placed an emphasis on homeland security efforts. These enhanced security efforts have had varying effects on levels of effort among all of its missions. Security-related missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security and migrant interdiction have seen dramatic increases from pre-September 11, 2001 levels, while other missions such as search and rescue and aids to navigation have remained consistent to pre-September 11, 2001 levels.

However, the levels of effort for other missions such as drug interdiction and fisheries law enforcement are, at present, well below pre-September 11, 2001 levels. Recently, the Coast Guard Commandant stated that the Coast Guard intends to return drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, and fisheries law enforcement to 93 percent of pre-September 11, 2001 levels by the end of 2003 and 95 percent by the end of 2004. However, given the recent Coast Guard deployments in the Persian Gulf and in the Mediterranean and the implementation of Operation Liberty Shield, these goals will be difficult to achieve. For the immediate foreseeable future, the Coast Guard will likely have to absorb a variety of new mandated homeland security tasks and defense missions by reallocating resources from existing non-homeland security missions.

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2003 --- Coast Guard air unit deployed with USCG Cutter during Iraq War:

US Coast Guard units deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the US-led coalition engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom early in 2003. At the height of operations, there were 1,250 Coast Guard personnel deployed, including about 500 reservists. This included two large cutters, a buoy tender, eight patrol boats, four port security units, law enforcement detachments and support staff to the Central (CENTCOM) and European (EUCOM) Command theaters of operation.

The USCG Cutter Boutwell , a 378 foot Coast Guard cutter, provided protection for amphibious landings, waterborne minesweeping operations, supported Coast Guard Port Security units guarding oil platforms and enforced United Nations sanctions against Iraq. An HH-65A operated from the Boutwell. A picture of the crew appears below.

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2003 --- Coast Guard Arms HH-65A and HH-60J helicopters:

The success of the HITRON's armed helicopters paved the way for the Coast Guard's decision to arm all of its HH-60 Jayhawk and HH-65 Dolphin helicopters with machine guns in support of the Coast Guard's increased homeland defense role.

The Coast Guard sought help from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to design and install flexible mounts for machine guns on the helicopters. At the request of Lt. Cdr. Lorinda Couch, the Coast Guard's HH-65 system manager, NAVAIR's Coast Guard project coordinator, Robert Blevins, took on the task of designing, installing, and testing gun mounts for the helicopters.

With the assistance of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., Nick Patregnani, an engineer assigned to NAVAIR's Air Vehicle/Store Compatibility Division, served as lead test engineer for the installation of M240D machine gun mounts for the HH-60J and HH-65B. "One unique aspect of this testing was that the HH-65 is a commercial aircraft, so it was not built for arming," Patregnani said. "There was never the intent for that until now. It presented an interesting challenge for us."

Because of a common airframe design with the Navy HH-60H armed helicopter, the design of a gun mount for the HH-60J was less complicated.

NAVAIR's testing of the armed HH-60J and HH-65B included ground fit tests, ground test firing, captive-carriage-of-fire tests, and in-flight live-fire tests. NAVAIR engineers also added flashing blue lights to the helicopters, as well as night lighting on the aircraft to illuminate the Coast Guard logo. The armed HH-60J is scheduled for vulnerability assessment in September 2003.

Potentially all of the H-60J and HH-65B helicopters will be armed with M240D machine guns. Funding has not been fully determined yet.

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2004 --- Operation Liberty Shield:

Operation LIBERTY SHIELD is a comprehensive national plan designed to increase protections for America's citizens and infrastructure while maintaining the free flow of goods and people across our border with minimal disruption to our economy and way of life. Operation LIBERTY SHIELD is a multi-department, multi-agency, national team effort. It includes:
· Increased security at borders
· Stronger transportation protections
· Ongoing measures to disrupt threats against our nation
· Greater protections for critical infrastructure and key assets
· Increased public health preparedness
· Federal response resources positioned and ready

INCREASED SECURITY AT BORDERS

Maritime

More Patrols - Security has been increased at major U.S. ports and waterways with more Coast Guard patrols by aircraft, ships and boats. HU-25 and HH-65A aircraft are used for maritime patrols. When the nation was put on high "orange alert" in March 2004, the maritime force increased its air and sea surveillance by 50 percent, conducting more than 3,000 patrols. Hitron deployed MH-68 Stingray helicopters to the New York City Area.

Six mobile Coast Guard maritime security teams have been developed. They will be equipped with response boats designed to be carried in the C-130 aircraft. Additionally they will be trained to rappel out of Coast Guard helicopters.

More Escorts of Passenger Ships - The Coast Guard has increased its escorts of ferries and cruise ships.

More Sea Marshals - Every high interest vessel arriving or departing from American ports will have armed Coast Guard Sea Marshals onboard, closely watching the ship's crew and ensuring that it makes its port call safely. These merchant ships have cargoes, crewmember(s), or other characteristics that warrant closer examination.

Selective Maritime Restrictions - The Coast Guard will enforce security zones in and around critical infrastructure sites in key ports. This information will be published and announced for those using U.S. waterways. More than 4,000 Reservists have been called up for active duty. The mobilization the Coast Guard Auxiliary - This is a volunteer group (24,000-strong) which will be used to augment the efforts Coast Guard units . With their familiarity of local waterways, this group serves as another set of eyes and ears on the water and in the air.

HH-65A

HU-25

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