Imagery Available: Savannah-based Coast Guard to host pre-positioned aircraft and aircrews for Hurricane Irma response

united states coast guard

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard
MIAMI
Office: 305-415-6683
786-367-7649

U.S. Coast Guard 
PUERTO RICO
Office: 787-729-2381
787-510-7923

U.S. Coast Guard
TAMPA BAY
Office: 727-535-1437 Ext. 2142, 2143
305-965-4672

U.S. Coast Guard
JACKSONVILLE
Office: 904-714-7606/7607
305-318-1864

U.S. Coast Guard
SAVANNAH
206-819-9154

Press inquiries: D7CGirmamedia@gmail.com
786-224-7996

Savannah-based Coast Guard to host pre-positioned aircraft and crews for Hurricane Irma response

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin is pushed into the hangar at Air Station Savannah, Ga., Sept. 9, 2017.

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Coast Guard Air Station Savannah and Hunter Army Airfield are hosting aircraft and crews from across the United States for prepositioning of response assets for Hurricane Irma, beginning Saturday.

Coast Guard aircrews are temporarily moving up to 18 aircraft to Hunter Army Airfield – nine MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, seven MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, one HC-144 Ocean Sentry and one C-130 Hercules airplanes in order to respond to search and rescue needs on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

With Hurricane Irma moving up the western coast of Florida, response crews and assets could potentially be cut off from Gulf Coast response units in New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. Assets are also being moved from Coast Guard air stations in Miami, Clearwater and Jacksonville to get them out of the hurricane’s path. Assets and personnel are also coming from Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Detroit.

“We have been monitoring the storms movement and are strategically placing our personnel and assets where they can be best utilized for response purposes,” said Capt. Marshall Branch, commanding officer Air Station Savannah. “We are able to effectively respond to surge operations because we have service-wide standardized training for all our crews.”

With the aircraft coming into Savannah, it will potentially bring in more than 70 additional response personnel.

Mariners in life-threatening situations should contact their nearest Coast Guard command center at the following numbers during the absence and degradation of VHF communications due to Hurricane Irma:

Sector San Juan Command Center 787-289-2041

Sector Key West Command Center - 304-433-3352*

Sector Miami Command Center 305-535-4477

Sector St. Petersburg Command Center 305-535-4477

Sector Jacksonville Command Center 904-714-7500

*Editor's Note:  Please note this is a temporary line established until telephone services are restored and evacuated watchstanders are able to return to Sector Key West.  Sector Key West will resume use of normal contact numbers as soon as possible.  

 

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-USCG-

IMPORTANT LINKS

U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Irma Response News

FEMA Hurricane Irma Resources

Official U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Irma video and imagery