USCG Deploys Personnel, Assets to Cordova

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Air Station Kodiak deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and support personnel to their seasonal forward operating location in Cordova, Alaska, to safeguard mariners in Prince William Sound and South Central Alaska, Thursday.

With an increased number of vessels operating in the region during the spring and summer, the deployed Coast Guard aircrew will be able to rapidly respond to mariners in need of assistance.

“Our strategically placed forward deployed assets and crews allow us to significantly decrease our response time during a distress call,” said Lt. Cmdr. Douglas Watson, the Coast Guard 17th District Command Center chief. “The aviation support facility in Cordova is one of four seasonal Coast Guard FOLs in Alaska and is scheduled to remain in operation until Sept. 15.”

The forward deployed crews receive logistical support from Air Station Kodiak based HC-130 Hercules airplane crews throughout their deployment.

Forward deployed aircrews in Cordova saved five lives and assisted 12 others during the 2013 summer season, the Coast Guard said.

uscgnews.com