U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater is the service’s largest and busiest air station, supporting a vast area that spans Florida, the Gulf, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. Operating MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters and HC-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircraft, the unit conducts more than 300 search-and-rescue missions annually while also supporting counter-narcotics, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response. Crews maintain a constant 30-minute alert posture, ready to launch at a moment’s notice. With a permanent forward presence in the Caribbean and a high daily sortie rate, Clearwater combines global reach with local readiness, backed by a rigorous training culture that prepares crews for the unpredictable nature of maritime operations.
“There’s a lot of cruise ship traffic, commercial shipping, and remote maritime activity. We’re often the only asset capable of reaching those cases.” — Lt. Cmdr. Scott Kellerman
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Quick Facts
- Air Station Clearwater is the largest and highest-tempo air station in the U.S. Coast Guard, supporting missions across multiple regions.
- Crews maintain a 30-minute search-and-rescue response posture, covering Florida, the Gulf, and the Caribbean.
- The unit operates MH-60T Jayhawks and HC-27J Spartans, with a permanent forward deployment in the Caribbean supporting international operations.
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