ALCOAST 455/25 - NOV 2025 USCG AVIATION MK 79 AND MK 124 SUNDOWN

R 121521Z NOV 25   MID320018383639U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 455/25
SSIC 10470
SUBJ: USCG AVIATION MK 79 AND MK 124 SUNDOWN
A. Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE), COMDTINST 13520.1D
B. Ordinance Manual, COMDTINST 8000.2G
1. This ALCOAST announces the Coast Guard's removal of the MK-79
Signal Flare Kit and MK-124 Marine Smoke and Illumination Signal
from all aircrew vests, Rescue Swimmer harnesses, and life rafts.
This transition shifts reliance to longer-lasting electronic
distress signals/transmitters already in service, simplifies
operations, and reduces the burden of managing the MK-79 and
MK-124 inventory by saving 8,000 labor hours each year.
2. This ALCOAST also announces that the MK-25 and MK-58 location
markers are now optional for rotary wing aviation units and can
be acquired and managed at the Commanding Officers' discretion.
It remains mandatory for fixed wing aviation to maintain MK-25
and MK-58 locations markers until a viable replacement is
identified.
3. Following updates to the applicable vest or harness maintenance
procedure cards (MPCs), units shall implement the flare removal
procedure outlined in ITEM 4 of this ALCOAST. Flares installed
in rafts shall be removed at their next scheduled inspection date
in accordance with ITEM 4.
4. Units with the MK-79 (L118) and the MK-124 (LA60/L283) shall
follow the procedures below for disposal:
    a. Expend all MK-79s and MK-124s in the current inventory.
    b. If inventory exceeds the current Non-Combat Expenditure
Allocation (NCEA), then the unit must request an NCEA augment
prior to expenditure.
5. Performing a deployment of a MK-25 or MK-58 is no longer required
for the Flight Mechanic syllabus. ATC shall review, and update as
necessary, rotary wing aircrew syllabus to reflect the change in
required pyrotechnic inventory configuration. Deployment of flares
should remain a discussion item and not create a requirement for
units to maintain MK-25 or MK-58 flares.
6. POC: Office of Aviation Forces (CG-711), CDR Leo Lake
(571) 608 8414, Leo.C.Lake@uscg.mil. Office of Aeronautical
Engineering (CG-AIR-E), CDR Rory Yoder, (206) 820-1744,
Rory.A.Yoder1@uscg.mil
7. RDML M. E. Campbell, Assistant Commandant for Air
(CG-AIR), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.