Dec. 3, 2024 —
Scenes from the Coast Guard Hurricane Milton response. U.S.Coast Guard photos.
Coast Guard assets, personnel and supplies are key components in disaster response. As members of the Coast Guard raced to prepare for and respond to emergencies related to the landfall of Hurricane Milton, the Coast Guard Aviation Projects Acquisition Center (APAC), Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) and Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, stepped in to provide critical mission support to protect a stranded Coast Guard asset that could not be used for the disaster.
On Oct. 8, 2024, as the storm’s trajectory became more defined, a local team of 13 MH-60T helicopter maintainers and a skilled C-27J pilot deployed to Air Station Clearwater, Florida, and Aviation Training Center (ATC) Mobile, Alabama, to support Coast Guard mission readiness and operational continuity.
With only two hours' notice, the combined maintenance team deployed from Elizabeth City to Clearwater onboard a Coast Guard HC-130J. Their primary objective was to evacuate a stranded MH-60T helicopter in the path of the hurricane.
Upon arrival, the team worked tirelessly for 15 hours, executing an exhaustive total of 70 hours of critical maintenance. Their efforts included the meticulous removal of the rotor head and vital protective maintenance to ensure the aircraft, an investment with a total value of approximately $28 million, could be safely relocated. The helicopter was successfully evacuated via a flatbed truck away from Hurricane Milton’s destructive path.
Simultaneously, an APAC C-27J pilot provided essential support to the Coast Guard’s storm response. Operating from ATC and Air Station Clearwater, the pilot logged multiple logistics flights, transporting thousands of pounds of critical supplies and moving eight personnel to safety. In addition to executing hurricane response efforts, the pilot remained deployed to Clearwater to stand search and rescue duty for multiple weeks, allowing Coast Guard pilots at Air Station Clearwater to tend to their own damaged homes.
“The team’s quick response underscores our unwavering commitment to operational support, whether in routine or emergency situations,” said Cmdr. Andrew Zuckerman, the APAC operations officer. “Our collective flexibility and dedication make us an indispensable resource for the Coast Guard’s aviation community, ensuring that we are always ready to serve when it matters most."
About APAC
The APAC is the Coast Guard’s only Aviation Acquisition field unit. The APAC’s primary missions include test and evaluation of new capabilities, executing air station and airframe transitions and providing technical expertise to both the operational and sustainment communities.